Meandering Thoughts of MomTo3Kidz: Finances

Biting the Bullet

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:20:20 GMT

While taking a break from teaching for two weeks, I broke down and started putting in applications for a part-time job. I put in one to work in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities, one to support individuals with developmental disabilities in their home, and one to support elderly people so they can live in their homes. I don't hold out much hope for getting any of the jobs. The problem is fitting in the training. The first place requires five days of training - 8 hours a day. I cannot stop teaching to train for a part-time job. The second place requires 30 days of training, and if I just worked weekends (which is what I want) I would be in training for 5 months. I don't know what training requirements the third place has so I am hoping they call me for an interview.

I really want to get our debt paid off and the only way I can see to do it, is working another job. I don't want to work during the week because I need to be home to make Andrew and Victoria do homework. I also use some time in the evenings to grade papers and write lesson plans. It will be incredibly boring to work 7 days a week, but I have done it before - when I was half the age I am now. Right now I just keep telling myself that if I sacrifice for one year, I will be able to pay off our medical bills, my credit card, and put some money in a savings account. I am also applying to teach summer school this year. It has been extended from one week to two weeks and takes place in the morning. I hope that I am considered above other applicants since I taught it last summer. I think several teachers are going to jump at the opportunity to make close to $2000 for 64 hours of school.

So now I am praying that God will lead me to part- time job that allows me to be home with my family in the evenings during the week, doesn't require me to drive very far, and pays well enough to make it worth my time. Sounds like I need a miracle.

Christmas Shopping

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 12:45:24 GMT

I have been trying desperately to stay within a budget for Christmas this year. It is a tough thing to do. I allowed $50.00 each for Devon, Drew, Victoria and Craig. Then I went and got stocking stuffers, so the total went up to $60.00 each. I allotted $25.00 each for my mom and dad, Craig's mom and my sister. I stayed within budget for my mom and dad, went over by $6.00 for Craig's mom, and haven't found my sister's gift yet. Then Victoria wanted to participate in the gift exchange at school and buy gifts for two of her teachers, and I decided to do the Secret Santa thing at work. Shopping at the Dollar Tree helped a great deal. I got stocking stuffers, gift bags, small gifts for Victoria's teachers, the gift for her exchange at school, and a few cards there. Now Victoria wants to buy gifts for her mom, two brothers, sister, her siblings' father and step-mom. I am out of money! I am all for the giving gifts at Christmas. In fact, I love it. But this time I think Bio-mom needs to step up to the plate and take Victoria Christmas shopping. Victoria can give her mom a framed picture of herself. She is the only child who got her picture taken this year.

Financial Peace is aggravating

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:31:37 GMT

Since beginning the Financial Peace classes, I have discovered many disturbing things about our finances. I have to give myself daily pep talks and refuse to give in to my anger and disgust toward my husband.

Last year Craig said his old boss GAVE him our pontoon boat. Yesterday I found out that it wasn't free at all. He has been working off a $800 debt.
Craig worked out a deal with one of his customers to get all new furniture and some other accessories for our pontoon boat. That debt was $1700. I knew about it and have been asking him all summer if he has worked off that debt. He kept saying that he didn't know. WHAT?! Yesterday I made him get out all the reciepts and I added them up. They owed Craig $555.00. How could he NOT keep track of this kind of stuff?
As I was trying to determine our actual income I found out that Craig makes $500 a month from one customer, and $300 from another. Now that he has paid of the pontoon boat he will get $440 from that customer. I know he gives Devon a little money for helping him, and has gasoline and repair costs. Still I have been struggling along without that money. Our medical bills go on for-e-ver.
Of course I found out about all of this "extra" money now that the lawn season is almost over. He will have leaf removal in October and then there won't be anymore income from the lawn service until April or May of next year.
Where in the heck has he been spending all of this money for all of these years? Drugs? I haven't seen any evidence of that. Girlfriend? He has very little time away from me unless he is with his best friend or Devon. We don't have a big screen tv or motorcycles. We don't go on vacation unless my parents pay for it. He drives a 1996 Chevy truck. I am totally mystified and pissed. If he had been honest with me, and worked with me on financial planning our life together could have been so much easier. Dreams could have come true.