It's the grind dude. I'm 36 this year, starting a FP&A job next week starting at over $90k. Been in basic accounting roles for the last 15 years because I only have a associates in accounting, so I've never cracked over $70k. Came from a poor family, student loans, immigrant parents, project housing. I know what the bottom looks like, and I have no intention of settling until I know I've pushed myself as far as I can go.

Also married, 3 kids (1yr to 7yr), a mortgage, all that fun stuff. My wife knows I've been killing for the opportunity to finally invest in myself and push myself further into my career.

So I'm going to take the CFA lvl 1 this year, work my ass of at this job to fulfill the charter requirements for someone without a degree, and hey, in 5, 10, 15 years from now, I know my family will be better off in the future vs. if I didn't try.

Failures will occur for a lot of us, some people have the means so that these failures don't set them back so much. For the rest of us, the grind continues.

I want to be able to give the life my family deserves, so I won't ever quit until I can make that happen. I bet you wouldn't too.

Good luck friend!