Don't worry, I won't post any numbers.
I technically make enough to get by without any CS, but STBX actually usually pays it.
I have a fairly decent amount of debt in student loans and one ugly credit card balance that I am trying to pay down.
Since I can afford to support DS on my own, should I be saving the CS money solely for him? Or in your opinion, would it be appropriate to use more of "my" money to pay toward my debt, and use all the CS money to pay for daycare or whatever else (which would free up more of "my" money to pay those bills), even though I don't NEED to?
I always see people advising women to file for CS no matter what, even if they don't need the money, and just putting it away for the child. So I guess I'm kind of in that situation, although using the money would help set up a better financial future for me and DS.
ETA: I might DD this later in case I am being stalked.
Re: My CS sitch
Oh yeah, I filed long ago and I get the money. For a while I was only working PT while looking for something FT so I needed the money then. Since I started a new job, I've been able to let the money accumulate. It goes onto a debit card so it is just sitting there and I am thinking it would be nice to use some of it to pay off some of this debt, but I feel like it's not mine to spend. Even though I did use my money to pay for everything on my own for all the months I didn't touch it, kwim?
This is exactly how I feel. If XH and I lived together, we wouldn't be putting X amount into savings for the kids, most likely. We'd be putting it towards debt and expenses and recreation for the family.
And hey, being debt-free is a great example to set for your kid!
The money you are getting is to support DS each month. The money should go towards daycare, clothes, food, housing, and the like. If the money was just to give to DS, he could put the money into a savings account, he wouldn't have to pay it to you directly. The money is being paid to YOU so that you can provide DS's needs regularly.
Use the CS to pay for DS's costs (with you paying the remainder of DS's costs after CS) and in turn, put your excess money towards your debts.