MotherLoad: The MomAdvice.com Blog

"Amy,
I am SO sorry to hear all that your family is going through. I can't believe it. I am especially praying for your mom. I hope they figure out what's wrong with her and she gets healthy again real soon. I can't imagine seeing my mom so sick; it's gotta be so hard. I'm seriously thinking of you!

Mike has gotten paid monthly since working at Purdue. We had been used to bi-weekly, so it was a big change. But, really, we've adjusted fine. He gets paid the last Friday of the month. Our mortgage is due on the 1st. We usually have to hold off paying bills until pay day, but we've never been overdue, or anything. You'll figure it out just fine because you're YOU...but I'm sure that's just one more thing to add to your very full plate right now.

Take care! And you and your mom are in my thoughts."

"Amy, I am so sorry to hear about your mom being in the ICU, I pray that she gets better really soon!

As far as only getting paid once a month, what I used to do was immediately transfer half the money out to my savings account where I vowed NOT TO TOUCH THE MONEY until two weeks later. It worked pretty well for me, it's a mental trick, I guess, getting paid every 2 weeks is somehow easier."

"So sorry to hear of your family troubles. Please do not let your posting worry you even more. Your readers understand and offer prayers and support.
Regarding the monthly pay schedule: I had the same deal when I first started working for the school several years ago. As a single mom, I freaked about making the money stretch. I started with my "have to's" and paid those the week I got paid, such a house, utilities, insurance, etc. Then, I just deposited the rest and set a certain amount for use each week. Once I used that week's allotment, I simply did not write any more checks or withdraw cash. It took some getting used to but it was really no different than a weekly salary. The main trap to avoid from the get go was seeing a whole month's wages and feeling like I had more money than I did. I even allowed for emergencies by trying to set aside a small amount each month into a savings account. (hard to do on the little amount I was making!) I did have to tap into for different reasons but I gave myself some assurance I would never run out of cash before I ran out of month. Good luck and hopefully things begin to look up soon.
Oh yeah, as for the lunches, how about thermal containers and such for keeping his leftovers warm? I used to pack soups and stews in the wide mouth thermoses and they were always tasty warm at lunch time."

"Amy, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I will be praying for you and her. My husband gets paid once a month and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's been that way for over a year now, and I was freaked out at first too but it's worked so well for us. We operate on a mostly cash budget except for bills and I love having all the cash for the month up front. When it's gone, it's gone, but on most all areas I am able to budget weekly and spread the love around. Hubby pays all the bills at once. The only area I really struggle with is groceries, but I think you have a great handle on that already. I think you'll come to a good working system pretty quickly."

"Hi Amy! First, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's condition. I hope she gets better soon. Also, congratulations to your husband on his new job!

I know you were asking for comments on the once-a-month paycheck thing, but I wanted to chime in on the lunches. For the first two years we were married, my husband worked at a job in the service industry that entailed driving about the city quite a bit, and there was no guarantee that he'd be in the office over lunch time. I never relied on his having a microwave handy, and always packed his lunches for the road.

You are such a pro at packing your kids' lunches (yes, I watched the segment!) that I'm sure you'll do great. You will probably find it easier to pack for an adult, though, who can not only be less picky and less concerned about what classmates think but also mature enough to give you helpful feedback.

I packed four basic sandwiches: egg salad, tuna salad, cold cuts/cheese, and pb&j. (The pb&J was the only one I assembled; with the others, I mixed up the salad or placed the cold stuff in a tupperware and put the bread slices in a baggie.) My husband really appreciates variety, so I tried to provide a good contrast of flavours in each menu: sweet alternating with savoury, always ending up with dessert of course! I included a hard-boiled egg on all but the egg salad days. I included a bag of chips ($1.00 at Aldi, as you no doubt well know!) that I had decanted into small ziploc bags. I already baked lots of cookies, so I always included some for dessert. With the four menu plans, I just rotated every week, so each week had a repeat of something.

It took me maybe five minutes every evening to assemble the lunch. By the way, I used the cold cuts from Aldi; at the time, they were $0.33/package, but I know they've gone up since then. I assume you must have gotten a better deal at the restaurant supply store, though!"

"Hang in there, friend.

We had the opposite paycheck shift--from several years of once-a-month to every-two-weeks. I personally prefer once a month. It is easier to earmark money for housing and bills from one pile, rather than figuring out how to divide 1 month's expenses between two checks."

"I am really sorry to hear about your mother. I hope she gets better soon!

One thing you could do is put half of your check into a separate account until the 15th and then have it switched over automatically on that date, just like you are getting paid twice a month. Also, there is a thing called equity accelerator that will withdraw the money out bi-monthly and it actually helps you to pay your house off sooner."

"I'll keep your family in my prayers. My mom is experiencing a chronic illness and it is so hard - it is hard to see you mom in pain and not know when the answers are coming.

My husband has gotten paid 1x/month for the last seven years. It was strange at first, but it has actually become easier to manage. He gets paid on the 25th of each month, so I know I need to get the mortgage in the mail and other bills by the 1st of the next month. We have his retirement and as much as we can squeeze out into the money market fund taken out automatically and pay the bills and keep a little room for error, sudden emergencies, or a special treat in the bank. It took a few months to figure out our system, but it is very doable and I found it actually simplifies our budget."

"Our prayers are with you. Our family just went through a similar time with my mother-in-law.

As far as getting paid once a month. If there is any over lap in pay. Save that to give yourself some cushion (or ememrgency fund). (i.e. Put yourself half a month ahead so there's always money in your account even when cutting it close in the budget.) Another option is to use any windfalls to do the same thing. (We'd used our tax refund one year that way.) When rough times came we had wiggle room and then put the money back the next time we could. Hope that helps."

"Amy your mom is still on my prayer list along with the whole family.

With regard to being paid only once a month, we are in the same boat and at first I freaked out. Cause certain bills were due all different times of the month. I called each creditor and explained and they worked with me so as I was not to be listed as deliqent on my accords. This may be a suggestion you might want to consider.

Hugs
Vicki (Wheezymom)"

"Hi Amy,
I said a quick prayer for you and your Mom.

I get paid monthly. This is actually the second job I've had that pays monthly. I run a tight ship. I have a spreadsheet that I I have used for years as my checkbook register where I add in the depostis and planned withdraws. Luckily for me, I have always developed the habit of withdrawing money on a weekly basis for gas, groceries and pocket money. It does get a little tricky when the month has 5 Saturdays. Good luck!"

"Amy, I am sorry to hear about your mom. I know how hard it can be having a parent that is sick and having to balance everything else going on! Prays for you all. You'll probably find that the monthly paycheck to be a blessing. I've been on this system for quite some time now. I've arranged for most of my bills to coming at the beginning of the month so I just work towards the zero balance! If I can find your email address I'll send along the excel sheet that I use. Might be useful to you and yours!"

"I actually prefer the once-a-month paychecks, rather than the multiple times per month. The transition period between the two was hardest, but now, as soon as I get paid, I pay bills that day. Some credit cards, which are are paying off, have odd due dates so we had to scrimp and save one month in order to make two payments, thus ensuring we got on the right track with that.

I budget my grocery money out per week so I know how much I have to pay spend each week.

Paying bills is easier I think because I get it all done at once. I pay them on pay day or within 2 days - all of them, even if they aren't due until later in the month - that way nothing is forgotten."

"Amy, I'm so sorry to hear about everything that has happened in your family. You and yours are in my prayers."

"Thank you ALL for your encouragement and inspiring words. I am taking notes on the monthly pay ideas and lunch help. Thank you, Thank you!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support- it is so good to have you all for friends!"

"Dear Amy, Your mom is in my prayers. Of course family comes first and "ALL" of your web friends will understand. Pam, South Bend"

"Hi Amy,

About the 38 packages of turkey and cheese, do you mean individual packages? Do you just pull out one at a time and throw it in the lunch sack? Do you use zipper-style freezer bags?

Thanks. And, hang in there. I'm sure your family appreciates all your support.

Kim K."

"Kim- I actually individually wrap (in plastic wrap)two slices of cheese that sandwich a couple of slice of turkey between them. I then take those packages and then slide them in a freezer bag or in a freezer container (I ran out of containers so I used a bag).

Then in the morning, my husband just grabs two slices of bread and he pops the package in with the bread and other lunch stuff. By the time the lunch hour rolls around, it is thawed and ready to eat.

I do it this way so that the bread doesn't get soggy and it tastes a little fresher (in my opinion!)

I put a picture of the inside of my freezer in Day 28's post. The stuff is stacked to the right :)

Hope that helps!!"

"Amy,

Thank you for the update. I'm sorry about your family troubles lately, I'll be praying for each one. I loved it when my husband got paid once a month, it makes budgeting much easier because most bills are due once a month. I'll echo some of the other commenters, I've called utilities and asked to have the due date changed to work better for us - they gave us 2 optional dates; when budgeting weekly issues it was difficult for the 5 week months (easy to check a calendar and look ahead and plan for these) - groceries and gas are our weekly categories. Also, if your husband was paid every two weeks you might've been used to an "extra" paycheck (if normally planning 2 a month, then sometimes there are 3) but that won't happen anymore!

Check into COBRA insurance for the 90 days. There is lots of info to dig through (if this option is available to you). Usually you have 45 days to choose this (by sending in a payment), no claims will be paid until you pay but this is a good option to "test the waters" a little and see if you need it or if another option would be available while still having this to fall back on. We're currently on COBRA medical (had to let our dental and vision go).

Jennifer"

"Amy, those hours at the hospital are dreadful. I can relate. Bless you for staying organized and many prayers for your mom and your family. Jakesmom"

"I will be praying for your mom and also you and your little family! As far as getting paid once a month-I had a job that paid monthly several years ago and loved it! It was so easy to budget that way. But it also takes a little getting used to. After a couple of months, you'll totally get the hang of it!"

"What a stressful time Amy! Praying for your mom!

I totally share your dilemma with the lunches. Tim is on the road everyday but Friday. Almost always needing to eat lunch in the car as he travels from one school to the next. Really limits the lunch options. Your cheese and meat buying was smart. I need to do that.

Tim doesn't get paid once a month. His salary is biweekly, but the commission part comes once a month. I schedule all the bills online and enterer them in quicken when he gets his big pay that way I have an accurate picture of how much money is really in the checking. I don't remember if you use cash envelopes but if you do you could still stick to biweekly envelopes just make two sets of them and hide the other one! :)"

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Life in Turmoil

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