stressed about $

Tulips21

is anyone else worried about money while they are on leave?

I am trying to come up with some ideas to bring in some extra cash... thoughts?

Donniesgrrl

We have figured into our budget an extra $150 a month to savings, that will give us 1900 put away on top of my Short term disability which is 60% of my pay.  This way we will actually have mor than we need since I will have to pay for my benefits oop during unpaid medical leave.

If you are crafty you could start making and selling things on etsy, what about babysitting on the weekends, I also know that the census is hiring right now and it is short term work and flexible.

Linds&Chris777

I stressed about it so much when pg with DS but you just have to remember that things always work out one way or another.  I ended up only taking off 1.5 wks and then working from home until DS was 6 weeks, then worked in the office 3 days a week and at home 3 days a week.  It worked out best for us and that's my same plan this time around, but I'm still jealous of all the people that get to take normal maternity leaves.

jennygirlmt

Our pregancy was planned so we planned for that before trying and made sure to have a savings account that we are comfortable with (I have some STD but only 5 weeks of half my pay and I'll be taking my full 12 of FMLA).  We also can almost live on one salary and DH coaches swimming in the summer (he is a teacher) so we won't be functioning in the red. 

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about you working or bringing in extra money while home with a new baby.  If you don't budget start now, cut coupons, plan meals and don't buy things that baby doesn't need. 

Save now what you will miss from not working and use that money to cover expenses that your husband's income won't cover and invest that time with your baby.  Good luck!

koat

Thankfully, we have a great mat. leave program here.  We're setting aside a bit more money per month though, since I'll be pulling in just over half what I normally make.

h2babe

I have six wks paid maternity benefit, so I am only going to lose six weeks of full income while taking the remaining six weeks unpaid leave.

My income however, is 50% of the household income, so eventhough we have money saved up, I was a bit worried. To make myself feel better (although DH thought that I was being silly), I signed up to teach 2 evening classes this year (one this semester, and the 2nd one in the fall) at a local university; and the income from those 2 gigs makes up the amount of income that I would lose. GL.

mrsjenni

I'm using 8 weeks of vacation time to stay home (and get paid 100% of my salary) and then for weeks 9-12, I worked something out with my company that will allow me to work from home 3 days/week and come into the office for 2 days/week (at 100% pay).  

That way I still get 8w home with baby girl and DS, but can ease my way back into work for a month.  Besides that, I get paid 100% of my salary the entire time.

 

Tulips21

Okay I feel a little bit silly... I have a great leave and benfits package, but my DH and I have so much debt and I thought if there was a way to make a little bit of money while I was home that we could get ahead.  I know I will likely be pretty busy- but i was thinking maybe some crafts or avon or something...    it would really help out.

Ana35

Same here and doubly stressed because DH has been unemployed for almost a year, has started working in real estate and has yet to earn a commission:-( Praying for a nice tax refund this year and maybe some temp Census work to pad our income

 

Maybe do some spring cleaning and sell stuff on craigslist or ebay; If I knew how to sew or knit I'd  try selling stuff on Etsy too.

alexis0812

We are in the same boat.  Except the bit we had managed to save up we've had to dip into since DH lost his job at the beginning of January and we cannot live on my salary alone and unemployment doesn't really pay much.  My job only pays for 6 weeks of Maternity Leave but it's not a full salary so that won't cover much.  I really want to stay out the full 12 weeks.

We decided that all of our tax return will be going into savings and we found other ways of cutting our expenses in the interim: less takeout, less nights out, unnecessary spending, etc and hope that DH will find something else soon!  I'm trying not to stress that which I really have no control over!

GL!

emily0829

Tulips21:

Okay I feel a little bit silly... I have a great leave and benfits package, but my DH and I have so much debt and I thought if there was a way to make a little bit of money while I was home that we could get ahead.  I know I will likely be pretty busy- but i was thinking maybe some crafts or avon or something...    it would really help out.

Don't feel silly for worrying about money. Money doesn't buy happiness, but it certainly buys security.

Really stop and think about companies like Avon. In order to sell it, you have to buy products. It takes a while to build up clientele that are regular Avon buyers, especially when it is just as easy to drive to Target or a department store and get what you need. I've had friends that went into Mary Kay/Avon/Mark etc, and even though they had ambition, ending up paying more out than they got in. (Mostly because you want to be able to have new and improved products on hand so people would buy them from you right there, instead of going to an actual store, as said above)

If you have great leave and benefits package, I would suggest sitting down and making an Excel budget spreadsheet. This is something concrete that you are able to look at, and it gives you such ease in just planning out your finances. If you skills, then put them to use. I always wanted to have graphic design knowledge so that I could design invitations for any event imaginable, making the invitation truly unique to that person, but also making it affordable. Buuut... I'm far from a graphic designer. But that's just an example. You could always look into things that you can do from home (like transcribing, if you are fast on the keyboard) that coincide with things that are either hobbies, or skills that you're good at.

Good luck! 

MermaidNM

I am not stressed about the leave. My husband was out of work for most of last year and we made it on one salary, so I know we are ok on that account. 

On the other hand, I am stressed about buying things the baby will need.  My mom is buying the crib and my MIL said to let her know what big ticket item we wanted and she would get it.  But I feel guilty/stressed about spending $100 on the quilt and $59 on the crib skirt (which are decorative and not really NEEDS).  Plus what about all the other needs on top of diapers and wipes and bottles.  It can all be a bit overwhelming, especially financially.

kayteatrudeau

Indeed.

I'm working PT right now and my contract (temp agency) ends in two weeks. I have no other assingments after that time. If that's the case I'm off from the start of March to December. It's going to be tighter then usual.

How about selling things for friends on Ebay? I will read this thread as well to get ideas because I was just about to ask the same.

Tulips21

this is exactly what I am talking about.  I just want to take something that was a hobby or an interest and maybe see if I can develop it a bit more while I am at home.  I am pretty artistic,  Painting and gardening are my loves... but i could probably do a lot of different crafty things.

I was also considering some occasional babysitting.  I don't want to be tied down to anything but if I could bring in- even an extra $100 a month- it would help.  

the question is, what will people pay for?

claypoolam

Me!  I can take 90 days, but only 2 weeks of which will be paid (using my vacation for the year).  I'm scared to death that the lack of my paycheck will put us in the poorhouse.  My hubby knows I'm worried, so we've been saving little by little, but man, I go in waves where it's all too much to bear, then thinking everything will be okay.  I have no ideas for extra cash, I don't plan on trying to work or taking on a second job, this one and a baby will be plenty!  Paring down expenses and discretionary spending are what we've been doing and after a couple months, it's starting to show (just in time to start buying the crib, carseat....)