Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP hasn't said how old the kids are, but HOPEFULLY, they are school-aged??
If so, that is going to help A LOT since OP is a teacher and the kids can be in school while she is working, and she'll be off work when they are out of school. That's a pretty big bonus for OP. If any are young enough to need daycare, then that is going to cost, but with the life insurance pay out, that'll cover a few years of child care.
OP, let's focus on the good:
1. you have a marketable skill!
2. your job will likely be very family-friendly for being a single-mom-head of household!
3. you have a little bit of time to think about where you will live. You said you have a house worth $1.3mil, but also you said you are separated. So, who is living in this house? That is going to have to be part of your "old life" -- the life that isn't sustainable. If you are in the house, you are going to need to sell it and move to a much smaller townhouse or nice condo. Fortunately, your kids are young enough that if you move relatively soon, they can adjust to their "new life" just fine and make connections and not be too affected by the down-sizing.
4. The kids will get some sort of Soc. Sec.
You can come out of this. You just need to start making a plan -- with or without the help of advisers. Put a plan on paper, and get your head around it now. Let go of what was.
Your life is going to be a lot different, but it's going to get better. Remember that. You are moving in the direction of a better life. You have resources and marketable skills. You aren't going to be a SAHM anymore. That was "old life." Onward to "new life."
Her OP said they are under 10.