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September 2013 Moms
blondii428
member
Maternity Leave Options
blondii428
member
I get 6 weeks of paid maternity leave and have the option to take an additional 6 weeks unpaid. We've been working our butts off and saving every penny to make it possible for me to get a full 12 weeks of leave. However, I realized that I will still be required to pay my health insurance premiums (about $110/month) as well as my 401k loan payments (about $170/month). So I started thinking about going back for 2 days a week after my 6 paid weeks are up so that we aren't quite as strapped for money. I'm just worried whether or not I will regret it.
Any BTDT moms that regret going back to work too early?
Any BTDT moms that regret going back to work too early?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Maternity Leave Options
BFP #1 11/07/2012 EDD 07/09/2013 M/C 11/22/2012
BFP #2 02/05/2013 EDD 09/19/2013 Arrived via c-section 09/27/2013
:P
Right now I'm leaning toward going back for 2 days a week. If I absolutely hate it, my manager is pretty flexible and I could probably drop back out. I think that I'll feel terrible having to come up with an extra $500 to pay insurance preiums/401K payments vs. having all that taken care of PLUS an extra $900 in pocket cash that I can use for baby expenses throughout the 6 weeks. It just makes the most sense.
I am thoroughly aware that this outburst of mine doesn't help your situation in the slightest. The topic in general just happens to be one that has set me off quite frequently in recent history for what I would consider to be obvious reasons.
So true, I feel like the US is all about money, money, money and very little about family values compared to other countries. I wish I lived in Canada at times like this!
Sec. 1.72(p)-1 refers only to "leave of absence"; thus, a leave for worker's comp, disability, family medical leave, or "I just need a break" leave will qualify.
Under IRS regulations, a participant who has received a plan loan would be able to take a leave of absence of up to one year and not make loan repayments without violating the level amortization requirement (IRS Reg. §1.72(p)-1, Q&A-9). However, while on leave, the participant could not receive pay or could only receive a rate of pay that is (after withholding) less than the amount of the required installment payments. The loan would still have to be repaid within the required time period (i.e., the 5-year rule would not be extended) and installments due at the end of the leave period could not be less than those required under the original loan terms.
This go around we will see what happens. We have a family business and it has been lightly discussed, but I would like at least 4 weeks to recover - even if I have to do work at home. My job is not physically demanding but when we are busy it is a mentally exhausting job. I know we can only afford to get paid a few weeks out of the office. We would be ok financially with me not working but I like having the income to put away in case something should happen to one of us or if business slowed back down again.
I'm actually pretty insulted that you think because I disagree with you that "they" (and who exactly are "they," praytell?) have me "brainwashed." I'm a fairly intelligent person who is very politically informed and welcomes a debate on this. But please, don't act like I'm ignorant or "brainwashed" bc I disagree with you.
Scandinavia??! Do you know what their tax rate is?! Now is my turn to ask you if you're kidding me. One of my closest friends is from Sweden. Try living over there and taking home a substantially smaller portion of your paycheck because you are subsidizing (among other things, obviously) others' maternity leave and childcare.
And to say its a "shame" that a parent has to leave their child at home or put them in daycare bc of financial impact of staying home themselves? If you don't have the money to live off of one income, then yes, you need to arrange childcare. Exactly who do you think should pay you for staying home and caring for your child? Me? The rest of the taxpayers? IMO, that's pretty entitled. What was just said on the UO thread about fiscal responsibility when family planning?
Many people, myself included, choose to take longer maternity leaves (im taking four unpaid months). But I pay for it myself with money that I've saved. I don't think that just bc I'm popping out kids, it's unfair that Uncle Sam doesn't cut me a check (like they do in Scandanavia). Me paying for my own maternity leave has minimal financial impact compared to my paying higher taxes every year.
And no, I'm not some "brainwashed" extremist republican if that's what you're thinking. I'm from Boston if that tells you anything, was trained in some of the most liberal institutions in the country, and have been politically active in just about every major socially liberal cause out there. And I also happen to believe strongly in fiscal conservatism.
There are exceptions to this. You really need to find out what your state requires for businesses that do not meter that criteria. It's a small chance but something to look into
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Intelligence has nothing to do with being brain washed... And really don't get me started on what uncle Sam pays for (or should pay for, because that is a whole new discussion) Trust me I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal, this had nothing to do with entitlement. You have the ability to have to savings to be able to save and stay at home for 4 months. Many people in this country do not. There has to be a way that 12 weeks paid maternity leave is just the norm. You want to talk numbers? Start crunching the numbers of one mother, that can go back to work after 12 weeks, and contribute to the economy. How many jobs are created? How many mothers have to stay at home because child care costs are so insane that it is "cheaper" for her to stay at home? You are not looking at the big picture here. The impact of this is much bigger .