I'm in, too! Our budget.

[mellymel]

Poof!

Thanks for the comments! Felt too vulnerable having this out there much longer.

[Deleted]

Damn girl, what do you do? Are they hiring? :-)

When do you get your bonus? Can you stop saving in the DS1, vacation and rental categories until after your mat leave so you have more room for saving/debt?

[mellymel]

NQB - I'm an HR Manager in the manufacturing industry. No, they're not hiring right now. But seriously look into HR if you're interested as it has way higher earning potential than people realize!

Bonus is paid around the end of February. I would feel comfortable stopping savings in the vacation category for maternity leave. But I emotionally feel like I would be cheating DS if we stopped his savings now. Is that stupid!? And the rental property expenses is a real category. Our property taxes, which are high, are not escrowed so we really need that category so the money is there when the taxes are due.

[mellymel]

Peggy - I will get 60% of my pay for the 1st 6 weeks of ML (or 8 weeks if c-section). I want to take the full 12 weeks under FMLA which would make the last 6 weeks (or 4 weeks if C/S) at $0.00 pay.

[Deleted]

OP: You have a PM. thanks!

[Deleted]

only two years away from being CC free - awesome! that extra $500 a month will definitely be nice to have.

is mat leave completely unpaid or are you just expecting extra expenses?

[Deleted]

I noticed that you do not have a housekeeper or lawn maintenance. Do you or your H take care of this personally?

[Deleted]

d'oh. just saw your post.

I think if you are worried about costco/target trips while you are saving for leave, try limiting yourself to a list. or maybe see if you can get the item on amazon and avoid impulse buys. I don't think any spending category is crazy, but it's all about what you're comfortable with.

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 16:58:31 GMT -5 vigurl said:

OP: You have a PM. thanks!

Just replied

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 16:58:51 GMT -5 tacom said:

only two years away from being CC free - awesome! that extra $500 a month will definitely be nice to have.

is mat leave completely unpaid or are you just expecting extra expenses?

Mat leave - first half will be paid at 60% and the last half will be 0% pay

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 16:59:11 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

I noticed that you do not have a housekeeper or lawn maintenance. Do you or your H take care of this personally?

DH takes care of lawn maintenance and most of the housekeeping when he can during the week (SAHD) or on the weekends. I pitch in too where I can but when I'm home I typically take over DS duty.

[lys]

Reduce restaurants and hair. IF you are coloring and highlighting - stop. Go with your natural color.
Use the bonus to pay off the CC - or split it with car and CC.

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 17:15:28 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

Ok, give me some hope that one day I'll make more money..

How many years of experience do you have in HR? Certifications? Grad school?

10 years experience. SPHR cert. No grad school (yet).

[awick14]

Dec 19, 2012 16:51:45 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Damn girl, what do you do? Are they hiring? :-)

When do you get your bonus? Can you stop saving in the DS1, vacation and rental categories until after your mat leave so you have more room for saving/debt?

DO NOT stop paying into the rental fund! A friend of mine did this when she went on mat leave and it screwed them over big time. They ended up needing the money for some repairs and had to put it on a credit card. (A little different here, Canada as mat leave is a whole year.) but make sure you keep funding that.

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 17:23:19 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

Ah.. so there is hope for me yet. I may have to pick your brain about the certification at some point if you don't mind.

Anytime, Peggy!

[mellymel]

Dec 19, 2012 19:55:15 GMT -5 mofongo said:

I'm just curious what $225/mos for hair is all about?

DH haircuts are about $25 incl tip

Mine is actually more like every 6 weeks but I get haircut/highlight plus tip. This is about $100 less than I used to pay - I started going to a less exp salon and stylist within the past year.