Layout:
Home > Update...err...it's been 2 months

Update...err...it's been 2 months

October 18th, 2014 at 02:18 pm

Well it has been a few months, but I am alive and doing well. I dropped off the blogging trail when I was re-hired at my old company and that became a whirlwind of putting in my two weeks, starting training, and having the husband adjust to my increased work hours. Two months into employment and things are now at a more manageable level.

Financially- I have no idea where we are. I know that my employer decided to drop the 5% 401.k company match about a week into my employment. They have also not once diverted my requested 20% contribution into my retirement account. After 2 phone calls to HR and being told to wait for the next pay period to see if it has been fixed, I kind of dropped the issue for now.

Husband was APPROVED for govt disability! He has been trying for almost 3 years. After the last final denial, we switched lawyers and the new lawyer got it approved on the first attempt! So we missed out on about $18k that could have come in during those 2 years of using the first lawyer. After that fiasco- I have learned not all lawyers are equal- even if it is something that seems procedural like getting disability. So we will get an income boost of $1200/month once the disability starts coming in.

Husband went out of state recently for round 2 of Stem Cell treatments. The first treatment went ok. His body responded to the treatment, but not amazingly. He is growing some cartilage back in his knee, but there has been no change in his back beyond that he can now move all 5 toes on his leg that drags a bit. So Round 2, we will see what happens. Financially, we have to pay cash for the treatments (experimental and not covered by insurance), so we are using up the Workers Compensation to pay for it.

Our rental properties have been full and quiet. The property we are managing for FIL has been nothing but drama for the last 2 months. Husband rented it to an out of state professional sight unseen- and once the guy moved in- it was daily service calls. Daily repair requests. And then 2 weeks of moving in- the guy moved out because he did not like the neighborhood. So its back up for rent- but we missed the "renting window" when everyone is looking to rent before school starts.

Our credit card bills have gotten pretty high (we can not pay it in full at the end of the month). I am not sure how that happened given I am now making almost twice the amount I was making at the barn. But I think it is associated with a mindset of "we can spend/buy and not have to delay luxuries anymore" mindset. So this weekend, now that I know what my paycheck will look like, and we can add in the disability payments, I will sit down with husband and we will rework a new budget and start tracking our spending.

The baby is doing well. We are getting everyone together for her 1 year birthday party next weekend!

6 Responses to “Update...err...it's been 2 months”

  1. Ima saver Says:
    1413644315

    welcome back, I have missed you!

  2. scfr Says:
    1413645247

    It's good to hear from you. It sounds like a lot of things are smoothing out and going well. Good luck tackling the credit card issue!

  3. snafu Says:
    1413658594

    Happy to see you back. Wish things were a little smoother. Wonder if new lawyer could request DH's application for disability that was initially rejected could be reviewed and re-considered since he's obviously eligible. What is the plan for these new dollars. Will you give every dollar a job, so popular at SA.

    Since there is no employer's match for 401K retirement plan, would you consider opening either an ordinary 401 with Vanguard with automatic payments [DCA] or ROTH since your employer's HR isn't reliable nor do they serve you very well. ally,

    Finally, are new hires eligible for even a tiny salary increase after 3 months or set time? Can you start a list of how your work adds/benefits the college, your boss and super-ordinate? If you do anything beyond your job description, add it to your list so that you have ammunition to support a request for a salary increase or bonus later.

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1413690220

    That is great your DH qualified for disability.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1413728312

    Nice to hear from you!

  6. Looking Forward Says:
    1413741211

    Really great news about the disability payments.

    Baby is almost a year old - WOW! Big Grin

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]