If your work doesn't offer mat leave, what is your plan?

eturp · December 2010

Are you just going to bite the bullet and take unpaid leave? Use up as many sick days as possible? Do you qualify for any kind of state disability? If so how did you go about filing for that? My work doesn't offer squat(I don't even accrue sick days) so I'm trying to explore my options. TIA!

akemrose · December 2010

I'm only offered unpaid leave. However, my boss is allowing me to carry my vacation over from this year. So with my vacation days and my sick days I will have 5 of my 6 weeks off paid. I would really like to take more than 6 weeks off, but I don't think financially for me that is smart thing to do.

*sallymad* · December 2010

Well my situation is a little different being that I'm a small business owner. But we saved like crazy over the past year to make sure we have enough for me to take time off. I'm taking only 4 weeks off work but we saved up about 3 months of my "paychecks" just in case.

I also got Aflac insurance before I was pregnant and can used it when I have my c/section. I paid about $85 a month and once I have my c/s, dd2 and my hospital stay I will get a $5000 check (which covers our deductable exactly). I also had the policy where each time I went to the doctor I got $25 for "missed work". I'm so glad I did it and wish I would have known about it with dd1.

Have you been putting away a % of your paychecks now for your maternity leave? If not that's probably the first thing I'd do and put away as much as you can.

se_richter · December 2010

Looks like it's too late for you on this pregnancy but for the next one, get short term disability. After a certain period of time (90 or 120 days), you can file a claim and get 60% of your salary.

I didn't know about it and my work doesn't offer maternity leave/benefits either. But, I was able to talk with my boss and work out a solution so I get 50% of my salary for 3 months. I just have to get a bunch of work done ahead of time. I've been working my tail off for the last few months but it's worth it to be home with my baby and have fewer financial worries.

I hope your job allows you the same flexibility and your boss is a progressive thinker. And we both get ST disability next time!

eturp · December 2010

*sallymad*:
Well my situation is a little different being that I'm a small business owner. But we saved like crazy over the past year to make sure we have enough for me to take time off. I'm taking only 4 weeks off work but we saved up about 3 months of my "paychecks" just in case.
I also got Aflac insurance before I was pregnant and can used it when I have my c/section. I paid about $85 a month and once I have my c/s, dd2 and my hospital stay I will get a $5000 check (which covers our deductable exactly). I also had the policy where each time I went to the doctor I got $25 for "missed work". I'm so glad I did it and wish I would have known about it with dd1.
Have you been putting away a % of your paychecks now for your maternity leave? If not that's probably the first thing I'd do and put away as much as you can.

We've been saving some but of course with the holidays I feel financially drained and that we definitely could use more $ in our savings account. I wasn't terribly worried because I have another job as a swim coach and was planning on returning to that job sooner (it's only 2 hours a day) and that is actually my primary source of income. However, I just had to take a huge pay cut from that job because my boss isn't the best at managing money so I'm just a little stressed with the baby coming so soon. Thanks for the advice!

snewman3 · December 2010

What ever sick days I have is all I am offered. I have about 2 weeks of sick time saved. Bc of this my husband and I have been saving and plan on using this in conjunction with our income tax. To cover the remaining weeks I am off.

kapereasd · December 2010

Totally unrelated, but I love the name you have chosen for your little boy!!!

missbobbijean · December 2010

I am in a similar boat - no maternity leave, no sick pay, no vacation time to accrue, no short term disability ins... My hubby and I have been working a lot to save up for when the baby comes so I can take 8 wks off. I then plan to go back to work pt and see how that works for us before I commit to going back to ft. I have been very frugal w/ baby spending up until this point and have purchased as much used or on sale as possible. I used an existing dresser & bought a used changing pad for the top, the crib was on clearance for 60% off, carseat was barely used by a grandma who sometimes babysat her grandkid, stroller had a lot of coupons & was on sale, we will be cloth diapering and breast feeding (hopefully!), all clothing was bought from consignment sales & thrift stores (most of it still new or worn a couple of times), rocker & mattress were 1/2 price on black friday, my COACH diaper bag was 1/2 price, etc. I am a firm believer that if you want something bad enough you can always get it to work. There are a ton of ways to save $$$ and still have a great life!

daniellenicole26 · December 2010

missbobbijean:
I am in a similar boat - no maternity leave, no sick pay, no vacation time to accrue, no short term disability ins... My hubby and I have been working a lot to save up for when the baby comes so I can take 8 wks off. I then plan to go back to work pt and see how that works for us before I commit to going back to ft. I have been very frugal w/ baby spending up until this point and have purchased as much used or on sale as possible. I used an existing dresser & bought a used changing pad for the top, the crib was on clearance for 60% off, carseat was barely used by a grandma who sometimes babysat her grandkid, stroller had a lot of coupons & was on sale, we will be cloth diapering and breast feeding (hopefully!), all clothing was bought from consignment sales & thrift stores (most of it still new or worn a couple of times), rocker & mattress were 1/2 price on black friday, my COACH diaper bag was 1/2 price, etc. I am a firm believer that if you want something bad enough you can always get it to work. There are a ton of ways to save $$$ and still have a great life!

:Steps out of lurking: Are you seriously saying that you bought a used carseat, but needed a COACH diaper bag. This is excellent parenting. Wow.

SweetLottie · December 2010

I graduated last fall and was unable to find a job until June of this year. Im PT and making barely over minimum wage with a degree and am getting no maternity leave or paid anything.

We are just cutting back in our expenses to make it work. Im not even sure when Ill go back to work because we are moving when he graduates and so when I find a job, I find a job. We have very little debt, so that helps. I plan on cutting my cell phone bill back and cable. If I could cut back our rent I would, but thats frozen for the time being.

There are always places to cut back spending. Unless you were the sole earner, there is always a way to make it work.

eturp · December 2010

kapereasd:
Totally unrelated, but I love the name you have chosen for your little boy!!!

Thanks! With our last name it's a mouthful but we love it! Big Smile

eturp · December 2010

SweetLottie:
I graduated last fall and was unable to find a job until June of this year. Im PT and making barely over minimum wage with a degree and am getting no maternity leave or paid anything.
We are just cutting back in our expenses to make it work. Im not even sure when Ill go back to work because we are moving when he graduates and so when I find a job, I find a job. We have very little debt, so that helps. I plan on cutting my cell phone bill back and cable. If I could cut back our rent I would, but thats frozen for the time being.
There are always places to cut back spending. Unless you were the sole earner, there is always a way to make it work.

I definitely agree, we have been cutting back a lot since BFP and that has definitely helped (if nothing else it showed me we can survive on very little). I guess I'm just more frustrated with my boss because I feel like she has been very irresponsible with our team's money and the other coaches are in different situations than I am in (most are still in college, living off their parents or student loans so they don't really need the money). She basically told me today that she wasn't sure if there would be any money to pay anyone next month. That's probably more or less okay with my other coworkers but ummm I have a baby on the way, and a mortgage, and student loans, etc. So now not only will I possibly be working for free next month but I won't be able to put away paychecks from my other jobs for saving for baby. I'm trying not to stress about it but I feel kind of helpless now because I feel like if I were to go looking for a new job at this point employers would take one look at my belly and tell me to take a hike. Sorry for the vent, I feel better getting that out!

ASmallWonder · December 2010

daniellenicole26:
missbobbijean:
I am in a similar boat - no maternity leave, no sick pay, no vacation time to accrue, no short term disability ins... My hubby and I have been working a lot to save up for when the baby comes so I can take 8 wks off. I then plan to go back to work pt and see how that works for us before I commit to going back to ft. I have been very frugal w/ baby spending up until this point and have purchased as much used or on sale as possible. I used an existing dresser & bought a used changing pad for the top, the crib was on clearance for 60% off, carseat was barely used by a grandma who sometimes babysat her grandkid, stroller had a lot of coupons & was on sale, we will be cloth diapering and breast feeding (hopefully!), all clothing was bought from consignment sales & thrift stores (most of it still new or worn a couple of times), rocker & mattress were 1/2 price on black friday, my COACH diaper bag was 1/2 price, etc. I am a firm believer that if you want something bad enough you can always get it to work. There are a ton of ways to save $$$ and still have a great life!
:Steps out of lurking: Are you seriously saying that you bought a used carseat, but needed a COACH diaper bag. This is excellent parenting. Wow.

Seriously. I'm amazed that gem has gone unnoticed by everyone else.

missbobbijean · January 2011

Sure did! Why should I be concerned if I KNOW the history of the carseat and have also had it checked out by a certified inspector? It was also a highly rated model, will not expire the entire time I will be using it and is in PERFECT condition. My vehicle also has the BEST crash test rating for its class and has for several years. Question my parenting if you like. Easy to do as a lurker...

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