Growing Up Geeky: Budget freakout & my NOOO face

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Budget freakout & my NOOO face

Due to a series of unfortunate miscalculations and misunderstandings, and the fact that everything here in Connecticut costs ~~a hell of~~ a lot more than it did back in Wisconsin, things are rather tight financially right now. And by tight I mean we're probably going to end up depleting our savings each month that I continue to not work.

I'd love to find something part-time, but because the price of day care is so high, none of the job listings I'm seeing would pay enough to make it worth our while. And my non-compete agreement with my old job runs through the end of August. So in other words, I basically can't do anything with my skillset, knowledge, and experience until then. Lovely.

I thought of maybe babysitting one or two kids in addition to Carina, but in Connecticut that would mean I would have to get licensed or else they can throw me in the Long Island Sound {practically}. It would take way past August to get licensed.

So do we just wait it out, as we deplete our savings month after month? We have enough to cover us until then, but we were also hoping to be able to buy a house before 2035. With my previous calculations I thought we would be saving a little bit of every paycheck. I feel so dumb for having made such an egregious mistake (after reading a couple sources online I thought that M's salary was FICA and Medicare tax exempt, but that's not the case...boo hiss). The fact that it costs twice as much for car insurance here and was $250 (!!!!) to get two CT licenses certainly doesn't help, either.

For such an organized control freak who doesn't ~~ever~~ usually make mistakes, finding this out literally made me go like this...

My off-center no makeup NOOO-face

Please, lay your money saving ideas on me. I coupon and always shop sales, anything else you can think of that might help? Or ways to earn a little extra money?

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jaclyn · 694 weeks ago

Does the CT babysitting rules also prohibit your going to someone else's house with Carina to watch both children there? I've had a lot of nanny applicants want to bring their child to my home.

Does your husband's university offer subsidized daycare or grants for daycare? My husband is also a professor, and his university does so since his university is also in a very expensive location. The income cutoff is about 120,000 for daycare subsidies at his institution. Departments of education at your husband's school or others nearby may have daycare centers so early childhood education students have a place to conduct observations on children. These are usually subsidized and give priority to faculty and staff. There might be a website on your husband's university's hr site that lists any benefits, and if there are any daycares that give a discount to employees of his university (one of the local daycares does so for us). The only downside is that it may be difficult for you to secure a spot for Carina in any university sponsored daycare until September. The way it works around here (NJ) is that they start accepting applications in September 2111 for the 2012 school year. But sometimes there are vacancies midyear if families go on sabbatical.

I'm so sorry your family is struggling financially, and wish you all the best of luck.

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

I will look into that Jaclyn, thanks!

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Grace Pamer · 694 weeks ago

I'm so sorry to hear this news. Have you considered doing any freelance article writing or being a turker on Mturk? I realise neither offer huge payoffs but could be a place to earn a little extra if/when you have a spare minute (which is when exactly am I right?). I hope you find a solution. Best wishes in the meantime. Grace
My recent post Women And Cardiovascular Disease, Know How To Keep Your Heart Healthy, Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

I'm not sure what mturk it, I'll have to look it up. Thanks!

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Sandy · 694 weeks ago

I would double check the verbiage of your non compete. Do you know an attorney that can take a look at it for you. While they are common, it is my understanding that companies cannot prevent you from earning a living. They also would have to sue you to stop you from working, wouldn't they? I don't know much about it but I think if you know someone you can talk to about it, I would double check. I think sometimes things aren't always what they seem :)

2 replies · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

I don't unfortunately. Any idea how much it would cost to have someone look at it?

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heather · 694 weeks ago

Some companies will payoff the non compete if they want you!
My recent post We have a 17 Month Old!

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ams8099 32p · 694 weeks ago

What about doing something like Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, etc?? You can set your own hours and supposedly you can make decent cash doing these. You can do parties while M is home so you wouldn't need to do have childcare.

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Angie M · 694 weeks ago

Oh, Mama, I feel ya! We're going through our own budget crisis right now with DH's schooling! But if we can make it through this month and get our taxes back, we'll be paying off a bunch of stuff and then STICKING to a better budget so we actually have a savings account!
My recent post 27 weeks! Yay 3rd Trimester!

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

Ooooh I totally forgot about our tax refund! I believe we'll be getting a lot back this year. Thanks for reminding me!

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@Amyylyn · 694 weeks ago

Girl I hear you, CT is crazy expensive. We are going through a similar crisis here since we have to move by may. If I find anything I'll let ya know. Lol

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Kayse · 694 weeks ago

Can you cut some of your bills? Let Netflix/Cable/Smartphones go for a little while? Call your phone company/student loan holder/creditcard and see if you can negotiate a lower rate - if you've made consistent payments they will almost ALWAYS lower it. As far as earning more income, can you make something to sell on etsy? Can you start looking into starting your own business from home? For a while I was looking into becoming a baby-planner and I think you would be GREAT at that.
My recent post Making My Mornings Count

3 replies · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

We did cut Netflix, extra features on our cable, and my contract is up at the end of the month and I am actually going to ditch my iPhone. I'll use it as an iPod touch at home, but will just get a cheap flip phone for calls.

Did you see my FB post yesterday? http://www.facebook.com/GrowingUpGeeky I think I might make geeky mobiles.

What is a baby planner?

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Kayse @ Finding Hope · 694 weeks ago

it's like a wedding planner, but for babies. :) helping moms get their registries/nurseries/classes ready for baby. i did this for a few friends last year, creating registries and such. you'd be surprised how many people will pay for someone to do something like that!

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

Ooooh fun!

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HeatherR · 694 weeks ago

I live in CT too, expensive is right and I live in fairfield county! I tutor 3 hs kids for $50 an hour. Maybe you ca do SAT prep? There's always ads on craigslist here. I am also an adjunct and teach 1 class but I the pay isn't amazing for that. I work all in all 5 hours a week (not including prep/grading) and make over $1200+ a month:) I know your have an academic background so tap into that!

HR

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

Wow, Heather, that is awesome! I probably could do SAT prep...I got an 800 in Math back when I took it in high school ;) I'll look into that, thanks!

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Tessa · 694 weeks ago

Ugh, we are trying to budget and cut costs here also. I was able to call our cable company, and have them drop the rates over $20/month to the new customer rates. It took a bit, but just ask to be transferred to the loyalty department. I've been trying to coupon and have really been watching the sale ads and trying to plan meals around those. Are you creative? You could do an etsy shop, but I have no idea on the profit on some of those. GL!!
My recent post Thinking Back Thursdays, Vol. 11

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

I think I might do an Etsy shop with geeky mobiles if I can get my act together :)

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Holly · 694 weeks ago

Sacrifice. Can you handle becoming a 1-car household? We did it and it works out fine. We're saving so much money- I love it! Eliminate cable TV. Have 2-3 cheapo meals each week- grilled cheese, beans&rice, breakfast for dinner. Shop for baby shoes and clothes at thrift stores or Once Upon A Child (or consignment shops). I have bought 5+ pairs of barely worn Stride Rite shoes at Once Upon A Child. Create a budget and stick to it. Good luck!

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

We currently only have one car! Cheap meals is a good idea and you know I probably have a ton of stuff that I can consign and/or sell on eBay, in addition to shopping there. Thanks!

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Lisa · 694 weeks ago

Here in NC we have some drop-in child car places. (here's an example - www.bizikidz.com). Maybe you could work somewhere like that and take Carina with you??? Just a thought . . .

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mmeltsner 35p · 694 weeks ago

We track every single receipt (even if it's under a dollar). My husband uses an app to log them in under the right category (clothes, food, etc.) so we can see where we are spending and track it month to month. It's helped us cut down a bit and figure out where all the $ goes.

2 replies · active 694 weeks ago

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heather · 694 weeks ago

What's the app?
My recent post We have a 17 Month Old!

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mmeltsner 35p · 694 weeks ago

iexpenseit

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@TheMamaChaos · 694 weeks ago

I wish I had something useful to say. I feel ya on the budget crunch, though.

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michele · 694 weeks ago

I wish you good luck..wish I could offer more!
My recent post Plastic Tea Cups

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candice · 694 weeks ago

I debate the same thing...work part time and pay for child care = a wash. Blah. We have no cable but do Netflix 1 DVD at at time and watch shows on the internet through our TV. Maybe you can shop around for your car insurance? We have 2 cars and only pay $120/month with Geico. T shops around every 6 months for that.
My recent post It's OK Thursday

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michelle · 694 weeks ago

Hey can you try to see if you can become an adjunct at your local community college? They pay really well and usually in the evenings, and super easy to do. Also high school and college tutoring, advertise yourself on craigslist. I know also you can e-tutor (I used to use that program at my local library in high school lol). How about working on weekends? Have you tried sittercity for babysitting in the evenings or weekends? For what it's worth, most people told me staying at home for the first year is tough. It's tough adjusting financially and to the new schedule. However, everyone said it got better the second year!! Good luck!!
My recent post ShopRunner thoughts

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@MagnoliaMom365 · 694 weeks ago

Oh goodness, I know that must be nerve-wrecking. When I was out of a job and we needed to supplement income, I worked as a nanny. Not sure what the laws are there in CT, but what about just watching one other little one? I found good families through care.com. Other than crazy amazon deals and couponing I unfortunately have no other tips, just sympathy. We moved a little over a year ago and our new state's taxes are obscene compared to the last. It's always a jolt to the system. Hang in there mama!

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

You have to be licensed, even to have one additional kid :(

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Ronni 69p · 694 weeks ago

$250 for your licenses? What the everloving hell are they smoking?

I learned that staying home was the best way for me to save money. Not going out = not much temptation to buy stuff. Using the library for entertainment stuff helped a LOT. There are ways to keep your sanity and save money. *hugs*

My recent post Stuff I Like Today

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

I know, right? CRAZINESS

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@ourgrowgarden · 694 weeks ago

Uhh I feel your pain. We are basically eating beans and rice this week. Not really but kind've. More here on that: http://www.ourgrowinggarden.com/2012/01/cheap-eat...

I sell formula checks on ebay. I can make about $25 a month doing that.
I do advertising on the blog.
I am a Tiny Prints affiliate. That's really a seasonal thing though but I made $80 for the last promotion.
I have a bunch of refferals via Social Spark and I earn money blogging there, about $15/post: Join here if you please :) http://izea.in/rj36
Amazon affiliates sometimes works out well. Made $17 from one post.
and we just cut and scrimp. We are really fortunate that our church hosts a meal once a week for Bible study, we just have to pitch in a dessert or side.

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Little Gray Pixel · 694 weeks ago

I wish I had some advice. The only thing we've been able to do so far is to cut back on our grocery bill. See how much you spend, and think about meals that are cheaper to make. You'll be surprised! (And coupons don't really help much, imho. Nothing I want to buy ever has coupons.)

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Jessie · 694 weeks ago

Sorry to hear about the budget issues. :-( You're obviously computer-savvy and creative (I LOVE your blog by the way!), so what about taking it a step further and becoming an app developer? I'm not one myself, but the android app-creation process seems pretty friendly to new developers. You have first-hand experience in what could help other mothers via a tablet or smartphone, and the programming could be done on your own time table. You could even market your apps on your blog! Just a thought, hope it helps.

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

Thanks for the ideas, ladies! You guys are so awesome. I have a list of things to check out now!

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Laura · 694 weeks ago

Sorry to hear that! I wish I had ideas for you. You are in CT you could always try your luck at Foxwoods :). I know you will come up with something. You are smart.

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

LOL...not the gambling type ;)

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michelle · 694 weeks ago

Oh I just remembered this. My sister pet sat when she was in college, she would make a TON of money, like $600 per five days just to go in and change the litter and replace food. We lived in Westchester County then and people would shell out so much money for their pets. She was studying Biochemistry then (she has her PhD now) and just told the pet sitting company that she was pre-veterinary major and loves animals LOL. Anyways, I think it will help out a lot.

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Shannon · 694 weeks ago

We do meal planning which helps stretch the grocery bill if we can use ingredients over a couple meals or make something like lasagna that will last us 3 nights + lunches. We also ditched cable and just use Netflix and Hulu to watch our shows. I never realized quite how much crap I wasted time watching!

CT is tough, but there are ways to save. I'm not sure what area you're in, but I'm in Fairfield County and I've had my weeks where I have eaten cereal for dinner. Good luck!

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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MamaGeeky 100p · 694 weeks ago

In New Haven. Thanks for the ideas!

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Lynn · 694 weeks ago

This may not be feasible, but I'll throw it out there anyway - would your old company be willing to hire you as a part-time consultant until your non-compete agreement expires? I realize it's in another state, but I know some companies have employees who live in other states, but can do all their work via e-mail and teleconferences.

Best of luck! You'll find a way to make everything work out! :)

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Allison · 694 weeks ago

I work at the University of Colorado and we get 18% discounts with Verizon and AT&T. Have M check into what corporate discounts he gets - there may be some good ones! (If he's at Yale, you can just Google "Yale University employee discounts" and find the information on their HR website.)

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