u/Content_Treacle_4396

Been in the US for a little over a year now. I’ve been working part-time remotely for a small business, but honestly lately I’ve been feeling overworked and underpaid. It got me thinking a lot about my future.

I’m seriously considering quitting my current job and enrolling in a CNA program. Aside from healthcare being a more stable career that probably won’t be replaced by AI anytime soon, becoming a nurse has actually been my dream since I was a teenager.

But you know how it is when you’re young — sometimes you make sudden decisions without really thinking long-term. I ended up choosing a business course instead, and now years later, I feel like I want to finally pursue what I truly wanted from the start.

Starting over in a new country feels scary, especially financially, but at the same time I feel excited and hopeful. Maybe it’s not too late after all.

Anyone here changed careers later in life or went into healthcare after moving abroad? How’s it been for you?

I charge $18/hr doing monthly bookkeeping and reconciliation for 2 businesses owned by the same person. I reconcile bank transactions plus Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App activity.

One business is very small and only takes me about 1.5 hours/month. The other one is larger, but I work pretty fast because I have an accounting background.

Basically, I only get paid between 160-180 per month.
I’m starting to feel like I may have lowballed myself at $18/hr since I can complete the work efficiently and accurately. What are others charging for similar bookkeeping/reconciliation services? Do you prefer hourly or monthly flat-rate pricing?

i moved to the US with my kids to be with my husband and now i’m stuck living in an in-law setup that makes me feel uncomfortable all the time. i work remotely, can’t drive, barely leave the house, have no friends, no outlet, nothing that feels like mine.

every day i feel overstimulated, trapped, exhausted. like i’m slowly disappearing. i’m frustrated all the time and then guilty for being frustrated. i feel hopeless more often than not.

some days genuinely feel like a battle just to get through. and i keep wondering if this is just my life now or if there’s actually hope somewhere ahead because right now i honestly can’t see it.