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Future uncertainty, anyone?-OT
twicejess
Posts: 228
I guess this is a vent as well as looking for others in a similar situation!
So, DP is working on her PhD and her job here, in our minds, is temporary. After she has her PhD she will be looking for a new position. Well, she is finishing up her coursework this May. She then has to take qualifying exams, do research and write her dissertation. She works full time, so we're hoping 2 years from now she'll be finishing up. HOPING!
Well, when she started the job she has now (almost 3 years ago), the contract was fine. Well, it expired right before she started and since then it has been an ongoing battle. Well, they finally reached a tentative agreement. IT BLOWS MONKEY CHUNKS, for anyone hired in 2008-present. DP will actually be taking a pay cut due to insurance premium percentage increases. (The premiums aren't going up but the school is covering a much smaller percentage than previously). They are getting a 2% raise but it won't even almost cover the bump up in insurance. So, overall it's a pay cut. Now, that isn't the worst of it. She was supposed to be promoted at the end of next year...a $7,000 raise!!!!!!!!! Well, because she was hired in 2008 and NOT 2007, she is only getting $1,000 raise. And in 4 years, the people hired now will be making more than anyone hired in 2008, 2009, 2010. How is that even remotely right?
Ok, so we're still thinking she'll be out of there in 2-3 years. BUT in the meantime, I am not quite sure how we're going to make it work with less money. We already live pretty frugally due to the fact that we're a one income family. I know we'll get by we have had tough times before but it just seems more stressful with not only 1 kiddo, but another on the way. We weren't expecting a pay cut.
I do understand that these are difficult economic times but when the president of the school gets a 15% raise (and contributes 0 to insurance), and her housing allowance and vehicle allowance are both increased by 25% this year, the board members and all other execs. just got 9% increases and contribute nothing to insurance. And the school spent over $700,000 on digital signs, over a million on sports projects...I have a hard time hearing the "economic hardship" defense. It seems they have money for everything but faculty. I don't think DP needs a huge raise but a pay cut?
I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else is dealing with this sort of thing. I sort of feel alone because all of our friends seem to have everything together and they don't have money concerns. And I sort of feel at this point in our lives...we shouldn't have money concerns either. I am just fearful that the little things that we do monthly won't be able to happen...like college savings!
Ok...sorry to go on!
So, DP is working on her PhD and her job here, in our minds, is temporary. After she has her PhD she will be looking for a new position. Well, she is finishing up her coursework this May. She then has to take qualifying exams, do research and write her dissertation. She works full time, so we're hoping 2 years from now she'll be finishing up. HOPING!
Well, when she started the job she has now (almost 3 years ago), the contract was fine. Well, it expired right before she started and since then it has been an ongoing battle. Well, they finally reached a tentative agreement. IT BLOWS MONKEY CHUNKS, for anyone hired in 2008-present. DP will actually be taking a pay cut due to insurance premium percentage increases. (The premiums aren't going up but the school is covering a much smaller percentage than previously). They are getting a 2% raise but it won't even almost cover the bump up in insurance. So, overall it's a pay cut. Now, that isn't the worst of it. She was supposed to be promoted at the end of next year...a $7,000 raise!!!!!!!!! Well, because she was hired in 2008 and NOT 2007, she is only getting $1,000 raise. And in 4 years, the people hired now will be making more than anyone hired in 2008, 2009, 2010. How is that even remotely right?
Ok, so we're still thinking she'll be out of there in 2-3 years. BUT in the meantime, I am not quite sure how we're going to make it work with less money. We already live pretty frugally due to the fact that we're a one income family. I know we'll get by we have had tough times before but it just seems more stressful with not only 1 kiddo, but another on the way. We weren't expecting a pay cut.
I do understand that these are difficult economic times but when the president of the school gets a 15% raise (and contributes 0 to insurance), and her housing allowance and vehicle allowance are both increased by 25% this year, the board members and all other execs. just got 9% increases and contribute nothing to insurance. And the school spent over $700,000 on digital signs, over a million on sports projects...I have a hard time hearing the "economic hardship" defense. It seems they have money for everything but faculty. I don't think DP needs a huge raise but a pay cut?
I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else is dealing with this sort of thing. I sort of feel alone because all of our friends seem to have everything together and they don't have money concerns. And I sort of feel at this point in our lives...we shouldn't have money concerns either. I am just fearful that the little things that we do monthly won't be able to happen...like college savings!
Ok...sorry to go on!
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Comments
I hope you're able to stick it out to make it work on one income. The concept of a stay-at-home mom is rapidly becoming extinct in this day and age so I applaud the families that are still able to pull it off!
And yea, I have to say that I do hold it against the president and execs that got their raises because if they had taken a little less...everyone could have gotten a fair deal. They are on the other half of the battle! But if they get theirs....I want ours too!
So, we feel ur pain. And to add to it we have to move (which we are happy about though) and then we have to figure out how much she can work while in school, how much I have to work (and find a job) and between our schedules how much child care we need and who will watch them. I know it will all work out and after Amanda is done with school we will be in a great place BUT all the unknowns are stressful. I try not to think about too far in the future, but at the same time try to prepare for it!
You guys are going to be going crazy! At least 3 kids and moving and school and work! WOWZA! I do have to say that I am excited for you to move north though! We may actually get to meet!
I think it'll be great if you get done and get to teach when Shiloh starts school! That would be great to have the same schedule!
I also wanted to say that Lauren's undergrad was in psychology and because she could not do anything with it she became a police officer. Her Masters is almost done and that is in MFT. I have my undergrad in English with certification in Secondary Ed and I have no idea why anyone would ever teach----I love teaching but there is no money in it--it's is great for a second income though. We pay for all of Paige's college so we gave her a list of major that we would not pay for and both psychology and education were on our list. Her major is pre-med.
Well am so sorry you guys are having to deal with this--this economy sucks!!!
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I am in no way trying to sound negative about teaching but it's very dependent on WHERE you teach. In the last state we lived in, DP was required to do all sorts of extras and the schedule was INSANE. And the district you teach for makes a difference too.
I think anyone who goes into teaching has to really want to do it for the kids. The money isn't good for what is required, and the political sh*t you have to deal with...it's not for everyone that is for sure!!
Like I said different states are different...and districts can differ within the state. And I only know about the 2 states DP has taught in and neither place is a good teacher state. In fact, where we live right now, teachers can't even get jobs because the budget cuts have closed school and condensed districts into fewer buildings. It's insane!!!
I guess everything is about Location!
Lavina-Ugh. It's hard when you have a degree that doesn't give you much flexibility!
And for the record, his benefits completely BLOW and he makes just over minimum wage. We are on a single income because of the nature of where we live. If he didn't absolutely love what he does I'd have him be a SAHD and I'd find work.
I know CT is very different then other places--we were just in Florida and I was watching the news. Some city in Florida just hired a new police chief and they were saying how much they have to pay him---they were complaining that he was going to make $63,000 per year----in CT starting officers ,starting teachers almost any career I can think of start way above $63,000 per year. Honestly you could not even buy a house in CT (unless you had a lot in savings) if that was your paycheck. We would love to move somewhere warmer but we could never make the same kind of money and we want Beck to go to school here---so we are just going to buy a vacation house--we really HATE New England winters!!
Police officers make squat too. However you can buy a nice house for $250,000. So, if you play your cards right...you're fine on a lower salary.
I wish we could plan. We did plan, and were financially in order until the sudden change two months ago. We are just going to be flexible, search for deals, and live frugally. We know it will be hard, but we both grew up in households with less money than we have and we have great memories of simple joys.
We had put off TTC for the past few months because money has been so tight, but hopefully we can get back on track since she has a job brining in some money. We had thought about waiting until we bought our own house, didn't have a roommate, she was out of school etc etc, but things are never going to be perfect. My baby is almost 4, and although I do have time left on my fertility clock I don't want my kids to be 8 and 11 before I have a newborn. We will figure out how to pay all the bills, we have thus far. I just wish it was a little eaiser.
Well said. And in this economy finding a job period is an upward battle. Let alone a decent paying job.
But, in the end I think it's important to pick what you enjoy doing. Money is important, but if I'm going to spent at least 40-50 hours a week doing something I want to like it.
i also spend a little time doing swagbucks, zoombucks, irazoo and surveys.
for this i get amazon gift cards. the plan for us is to use them to purchase christmas presents this year but they can easily be used for diapers during the year.
to date (since jan 1), i have earned $186 in amazon gift cards using the above schemes.
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