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Archive for January, 2013

Been easy to not eat out

January 19th, 2013 at 09:14 pm

I have found it’s been really easy to not go out to eat for lunch, since I’ve been home sick for several days. Unfortunately, that means I’m using up all my sick/vacation time that I’ve been stockpiling for maternity leave. My work does allow us to borrow vacation time, and of course I can always take unpaid time. In my case, I’ll probably borrow some, and depending how much I have left, I’ll start easing back in earlier than later.

There’s only 9 more work days left in the month. I wonder if I can get by with eating out for lunch only once in those 9 days. That’d be pretty awesome.

Short Term Goal

January 10th, 2013 at 02:09 am

I’ve decided that I won’t be able to eat out during lunch as much once the baby comes. We’ll have a decrease in amounts for our personal allowances, so I won’t have that much to spend (like $10/week little). I figured I should get used to it now. No reason to be shell shocked when it needs to happen. Plus then I can save some of my allowance now for future use.

There are 22 work days in January for me. I want to start packing at least 75% of the time. That means I have to pack 17 lunches and only go out 5 times. So far I’m doing well. I only have eaten out once, on Monday. I was so tired from last weekend that I forgot to pack or grab anything as I ran out of the door.

I’m also going to try to track my grocery expenses for the lunches to see how much it really costs compared to some of my $2 or $3 eating out options (bagel sandwich or salad bar)

2013 Check In

January 5th, 2013 at 06:01 pm

I have paid off the second of the two student loans I wanted to get paid off before baby came! Woot! My EF is a little smaller than I’d like, but it will pop back up here in the next month or two. And it’s still a very comfortable amount, even if it doesn’t grow. Its funny how there’s an arbitrary dollar amount that makes me feel really safe, but if I drop below a bit, I start to get antsy.

After this last payment clears, I will set up auto pay on Student Loan A. It’s only going to be $175/month instead of $400 to begin with because I had increased my HSA contribution to cover the baby health expenses and with the SS tax break disappearing, I have no clue what my new paycheck amount will look like. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ll adjust later.

I’ve also managed to only buy a $3 cute onesie so far for the babe-to-be. I’d say I’m doing really well not buying things yet. I’ll get there eventually.

I’m starting to get things ready for maternity leave at work. I know I’m going to struggle with wanting to be home, but also with wanting to go back to work. I admit, I like working, a lot. I don’t like doing nothing. But I also really like kids and babies. Hopefully, it won’t be that much of an internal struggle. My husband is staying at home with the baby, so if I do start sneaking back into work early part time, it won’t be that big of a deal, and might be an easier transition for him.