ok you guys were so horrified by my last post that: A) it made me feel pretty stressed. B) I kept re-running the numbers and had a stern talk with husband.
First, in my defense, being short $1700/month for a few months until I start working is not bad to me because in CA we were short about $6000 a month. This is a breath of fresh air!
So I have been reworking the numbers all day. I tried to get some cash in hand and also reduce our monthly debts.
I called my CA homeowners Insurance Company to see where our refund was because we canceled early. They sent the check to the CA address, but once it gets re-routed it will be $700 to me.
I had an Auction House come by today to pick up extra furniture/antiques to put in their next auction. I wasn't thrilled seeing my mom's antiques load into a truck, but they have been in an attic ever since I got them- so I think I have determined I'll never use them. I will get a check a few weeks after they sell, and that will be for about $500-600 after the house takes their cut.
I still have a Full sized bed sitting in my dining room leftover from CA. When it sells on Craigslist that will be $150. Just hoping it sells.
I have $230 pending in Paypal from recent ebay sales. When it becomes available I can withdraw the money.
I have already purchased everything for the baby. But I have the receipts so I can return anything that I receive duplicates at the baby shower being held in 3 weeks. I have also identified 2 items I can just do without and return anyway. So that will get me back about $100 plus any duplicates from the shower.
I called my CA person who owes me money. He promised to send me $8k this weekend. I'm cautious though because by this time he has already not sent me 2 promised payments totaling $18k. But fingers crossed just the same.
So those actions will put cash in hand. Next I worked to reduce our monthly expenses.
I called our insurance company and cut back on policies. That takes off almost $300/month in expenses. I'll add them back after I start working.
I made husband PROMISE to only buy groceries & gasoline until we get this turned around. If we both stick to that promise we'll save about $800/month.
That brings our monthly shortfall from $1700/month to $600/month.
I emailed a potential tenant for our pending vacant rental unit. She was interested last month while it was still being occupied.I told her it will be move in ready for Oct 2. If she has not found housing yet then I'll clean for 24 hrs straight to get it ready for her! Unfortunately, I am sure she has found housing by now.
I also looked online at my old employer's career site. There are 3 jobs I'm qualified for. I'm NOT going to apply right now though because of a baby coming in 5 weeks. I think it would tarnish my reputation with them to come around trying to land a job and expecting weeks off shortly after starting. I appreciate your responses that you think 6-8 weeks will be timely for me to start working again.
I appreciate that you reminded me to shop around for Health Insurance. I am holding off counting on Obamacare because it seems equally likely to be delayed as to be enacted at this point. I am also not comfortable changing my insurance so close to giving birth. I am leery of undisclosed maternity clauses, or my hospital being out of network or something where the lack of coverage costs me money in the end.
Oh and Laura- I will be breast feeding and I have 17 cloth diapers! I'm doing those for non-financial reasons, but glad that my frugal friends think it's a good idea!
So that's what I did all day. I did good, right?
Monthly Numbers Revisited. Because of YOU!
September 25th, 2013 at 09:35 pm
September 25th, 2013 at 09:40 pm 1380145202
September 25th, 2013 at 09:45 pm 1380145504
September 25th, 2013 at 09:58 pm 1380146281
I guess I Wasn't feeling that situation was overly dire, given your background (you've got some positive net worth, right?) and the short term nature of this shortfall. BUT, I also think it's good for you to be thinking more in emergency mode. Don't stress over it, but you need a plan, and need to close up any unecessary money drains (or expenses). & it's a good time to be more aggressive on collections - make that baby pull on some heart strings. & definitely shop around your insurance options after the baby is born. I've personally never even taken employer insurance because we always found a better value going with a private policy. Doesn't mean you will be able to find the same, but it just astounds me how few people *ever* shop around their health insurance.
September 25th, 2013 at 10:06 pm 1380146811
September 25th, 2013 at 10:10 pm 1380147006
But interesting tidbit about the health insurance being cheaper outside of an employer. I never tried to find out!
September 26th, 2013 at 12:26 am 1380155188
September 26th, 2013 at 12:58 am 1380157110
September 26th, 2013 at 12:05 pm 1380197132
I think you can count on Obamacare. I certainly am. Republicans don't have the votes needed to repeal it, which frankly, is ridiculous as it's already the law.