What's Next?

Tuition to study for U.S. CPA exams, $5,000

Fee to take the exams, $800 plus

A cup of drip coffee to jumpstart my brain, $3

Friendship, support, love and self-esteem, PRICELESS

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a Master Card?

Today my certificate has arrived at last. To be honest, it costed a lot more than I listed above. The whole application process was so cumbersome as well. I had been to a prep school for an year. It took another couple years to earn college credits of business and accounting to complete the State's educational requirement, which is equivalent of graduate school level. Then, needed my academic credits to be checked and certified. Every time I took an exam, I had to acquire State board's approval, book a testing center, flight and hotel. What is worse, with oil prices peaked last summer, had to pay that ridiculous, extra fuel surcharge.

So, how much is the value of the certificate I acquired after all? Is it the opportunity cost I gave up earning at my previous job last several months? Or an incremental salary I will earn from now on? Whatever the value is, this isn't a goal, but just a new beginning. How to use this "Master Card" is, up to me.

Now, what's next?