We have a few decisions around here to make and we (actually I) are having a hard time in making them.
There are really only 2 that are up in the air. Benny knows what he wants (rather what he thinks we need) but I am on the fence. Actually, one of them I am totally against and am just trying to figure out how to convince him.
First thing. Benny wants to sell the camper so he can buy a motorcycle. He doesn't want a motorcycle for play (that would just be a plus), he wants it to drive back and forth to work. His office is 70 miles from the house and that takes a lot of gas in his truck and my pathfinder. If he had a bike, we would save TONS on gas money. And, since we live in Texas, he could drive it most of the year.
My problem is, I love having the camper AND I know that next spring he will need it when he has to go back to Louisiana to work that shut down. See my problem. I don't know what we should do. Seems like an easy decision to make, but it's not for me.
Second thing. He thinks I need to go back to work. He has decided with a motorcycle and me working part time, we could do good. The thing is, he usually works 2 shut downs a year and makes a ton of money. The last shut down I didn't save any because we bought a camper, a boat, and horses. Now during the summer, he only works 40 hours and that has always been doable to pay our bills but now we have more bills AND we just got medical insurance that cost $500 a month (that covers med, dental, and vision).
Also, Toot will be going everyday to pre-school which is twice as much as we paid last year and Smiley will be going two times a week which is a payment we didn't have last year. Now, he is not sure if he will even work a shut down this fall because they need him in the office so much. That right there is a major cut in his annual income.
My problem is, I don't think me working part time would even be worth my time. That would mean I have to put Smiley in school everyday and double his tuition. We had a plan that I would go back to work when Smiley started kindergarten and I like that plan. I am not ready to be a working mom. I want to still stay home with my babies. The only thing I got going for me is that NO ONE is hiring around these parts and I would be very picky about my hours. Only 8am - noon and no weekends. I refuse to work more than that. I will be the one picking up my babies from school (they get out at noon).
We have to do something because what we are doing now isn't working out so well. I need to get us on a strict budget, save our asses off during shut downs, and maybe still sell the camper. I don't know. Such hard decisions. What do yall think?
Passing The Baton
2 years ago
11 comments:
Tough decisions for sure....I hate being an adult and having to make these kinds of decisions. As purely an outsider I can offer my opinion. I say sell the camper and get the motorcycle. If its going to save you tons in gas money each month, it is probably worth it. Plus if you ended up getting in a tight spot and had to sell the camper anyway then you would be kicking yourself for not getting a motorcycle and paying all that extra gas and still have to sell the camper anyway.
For going to work, this is definitely a toughie. I have no plans to return to work even after my kids are both in school, unless obviously the money was necessary. The amount of money it would cost for the extra gas a month would mean very little would actually go towards helping our family financially. And it sounds like it would be the same for you because of the added preschool costs.
Those are some hard decisions.
Motorcylce's do save on gas money but the camper saves on hotel money during the shut downs. Is there anything else you could/would be willing to sell?
I don't think it would be beneficial at all for you to go back to work right now. You would only be working to pay to keep your kids in school longer. So what's the point?
I hate it when these life decisions get so difficult that they seem to take over your whole mind. I'm sure it's all you can think about.
I hope everything works itself out soon. I don't want you to be stressed!
Thinking about you!
Budgeting always sucks. Frist thing I would do is sit down with Benny and figure out priorities. If staying home is the biggest priority then maybe you have to sacrafice the camper. Try to make what changes you can to make it happen. For example, can you cut back on some extras - eating out (although I'm pretty sure you don't do much of that) or buying clothes? Maybe reduce the cable or phone bills?
And even though you aren't working, that doesn't mean that you can't make some money. Maybe babysit for a neighbor, or do chores for an older family member. Heck even sell stuff on ebay.
I think I'm glad it's not me making those decisions? LOL, just kidding April. That does sound like a tough one. Too bad you couldn't have both the camper and the motorcycle :-(
I guess it would really take crunching some numbers to see if it would even pay for you to work part-time vs. the added tuition expenses. With the tough job market and your limited availability it might be worth it to wait until the kids are all in school full-time so you can have a more flexible work schedule.
Which means tightening the belt, working that budget and saving as much as you can from the shutdowns. The first two are tough for just about all of us.
I will pray that you guys can find the best possible solution for your family and be happy with it!
God bless April!
yes tough decisions-i will keep you in my prayers that an easy solution presents itself...
my hubby wants a motorcycle too but for very different reasons
The main question is are all those other things paid for? Camper, boat and any other things that are unneeded?
The horses of course are never paid for.
Is the truck paid for?
See all these things are important to know before deciding. He could buy a decent used bike for cheap I'm sure. I surely would NOT add a payment for a bike. If I were you I'd have a bunch of stuff on E-bay and also sell some of the clutter everyone has in a yard sale!
You didn't even mention the cost of child care for ALL the children during school holidays.
The only way for you to work part-time and make any money is if you work when your husband is home to watch the kids.
If the cost of you going back to work is going to barely cover the cost of child care then it's not worth it. Sorry girl, guess I have no good advice for ya. Hope you get it figured out.
I'm glad you guys have medical insurance...and believe it or not $500 isn't bad for a family...all things considered. :o)
Childcare is high and hard to justify.
Tough decision so I'm praying about it! XOXO!
hmmm....I get the part about the bike and the mileage but bikes are just so scary. Not that Benny wouldn't knpow what he was doing...it's the other a-holes out there. Can't say I'm in favor of that bike...As far as the job...I don't know. If financially it would help (factoring in the cost of childcare) then maybe try it.
That's my 2 cents anyway...
my dad wants to buy a motorcycle too lol
Post a Comment