Yes...perhaps I am jumping the gun, but I am already calling daycares. The daycare at my job has a wait list over a year long...so I can't really afford to sit around with my thumb in my ass.
So far the rates have ranged from $700 to $800 per month per child. In case you are bad at math...I'll break that down for you. That is $1400 to $1600 per month for child care!!!!!
So at this point many of you are probably saying "Why don't you just stay home with them." Well for starters...I make more money than that per month...so pure math says that's a dumb idea. Also....I enjoy feeling like I bring something to our table (ahem...mortgage payments and food). I don't think I could sit at home all day long. And I am sure some of you are saying "you just wait and see." Well I have a few choice words for you. (I am obviously in a fun pregnancy induced pissy state).
So now I am feeling this overwhelming feeling that we can't afford this...that after spending so much money on conceiving this two beautiful miracles, we are going to start living paycheck to paycheck. I know many people do it...we are not one of those families. We eat out when we want, we go on vacations when we want, we buy whatever we need a the store. Am I going to have to live on, dare I say it, a budget???
In other news...I finally sacked up and told my boss. My belly is starting to give me away and my shirt today isn't doing me any favors. I seriously look like I am 4-5 months pregnant. I am sure lots of it is bloating....but I feel huge! Once I am "out of the closet" so to speak, I'll feel like I can embrace the bump....but until then I will uncomfortably try to suck it in and wear a "Yes I am gaining weight" grin as people gaze and wonder.
I'm sorry you are feeling stress today!! Daycare costs have always scared me!! I'm glad we don't live closer today...we could cause some serious havic on the world today! HA!
ReplyDeleteGirl I am so right there with you and I can't imagine how twins would add to the anxiety. I spent the whole day looking up potential child care providers, it's overwhelming! Not to mention that after everything we've done to get our babies, we now have to leave them with STRANGERS? I don't see me doing that but we truly have no other option...so many crazy-important decisions!!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately having children isn't exactly feasible these days. It's very rare to be able to stay home with your kids and live life comfortably on one salary. I know my husband and I wouldn't be able to do it being we're both teachers. It sucks. Plus you may not live paycheck to paycheck now (we definitely don't either) ... we do what we want and when we want, but that's all going to change when you add two little ones into the mix. A budget will definitely be part of your future. It's an adjustment, but nothing you can't get used to.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I should have consulted a financial advisor about this baby long ago. Daycare is incredibly expensive and I'm with you, it's not worth me staying home. No matter how I feel later on. Good luck. I'm right there with you!
ReplyDeleteI am laughing so hard at the picture. What is that suppose to be to you?
ReplyDeleteGirl you can do it. Keep asking for god to provide and he will.
Ah the joys of budgeting... There is no amount of money that I could make that would make me want to miss the ins and outs of every single day. We used to be a couple that ate wherever we wanted, traveled and stayed at quaint (and pricey) B&Bs, etc. We now are on a budget but it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter whether you work or stay home, it will work out.
I am sorry you're feeling so stressed, but trust me, I completely understand what you're going through with the budget worries. Having more than 1 baby at a time is a HUGE expense (heck, even having 1 baby is!). But you WILL work it out. It will take a lot of getting used to and a lot of planning, but things will fall into place. You're right, it will be tighter, but it will be SO worth it!
ReplyDeletehere is something to consider...a nanny type position, they are in your house, no matter what the weather, if they are sick they are there one on one (or you know two on one) and the time in the morning you can spend maybe feeding them yourself instead of packing up everyone and driving everywhere?
ReplyDeleteSorry you're feeling the stress, it's great you're considering your options early though...I'm sure that will help to relieve stress down the road. I'm the overly prepared type too & have also gotten our name on a daycare waiting list already, my work's day care also has a very, very long wait list so as you said no choice but to get in there!
ReplyDeleteI think it is excellent that you're thinking about this now- I'm sorry it is so stressful!! You (and me and hubby) are very lucky that you don't live paycheck to paycheck, but (if I could be bold) that doesn't mean that you couldn't set up a budget anyway. We are on a strict budget so that we can save up a healthy nest egg so that we can be prepared in an emergency or so that we can enjoy life indefinitely once we retire!! So, although we don't really need a budget- we make a nice income together- we have a strict budget, a ton goes to savings, and we feel really good about that. (We follow Dave Ramsey, as far as budgeting goes, if I could extend my bold suggestions! I hope you don't want to strangle me!!) Anyway, it might also help ease the pain of daycare costs, too, if you can see where all your money is going and maybe cut out any excess.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Please don't take me off your reading list! Haha! :) I am praying for you!
Hahaha...A I totally appreciate your suggestions. I was in a FOUL mood yesterday. I totally recognize the fact that we need a budget. It will help us in the long run. I guess the funny thing is that I know we have the money available...it's just a matter of getting things in order so that we don't get into a financial pinch every month.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the thoughts ladies!