Reply to Can only afford one. Pay for preschool for one child or activities for the other?

Forum Index » Money and Finances

Reply to "Can only afford one. Pay for preschool for one child or activities for the other?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]New to the area, and trying to figure out our budget.
I know the answer will be immediately obvious to some of you, but judging by the number of little kids I've met who are NOT in preschool or did not attend, maybe that isn't always done around here.

DH takes home 1750 every two weeks.  I've been looking for jobs, so far nothing that will cover day care within a reasonable commute.  (DH travels sometimes, so a long commute for me would put us in a precarious position)
Right now we have one car which will be paid off in July.  We've been managing OK with one car, but that will change in September when my older son will attend a school and need to be driven (outside attendance boundary) - this opportunity is really important to DH and I, so it isn't really negotiable.

So starting around that time we will have a car payment, although it will be much lower than the one we have now.
Also starting September, we would be paying 250 per month for DD's preschool.
Our rent is 1600 for 2 BR.  We are lucky to live by a great park and have a pool in our community, plus have fun neighbors and friends.  That is our main entertainment.
We don't have any debts or other ongoing obligations other than utilities, phones, etc.  
Cutting cable will save literally 20 bucks per month - that isn't exactly going to make a dent, you jokesters!
We already don't ever buy anything except food - have been cooking from scratch 3 times 7 for every person in family, don't go to movies, don't buy clothes for myself, buy clothes at thrift shop for kids and only when they have totally outgrown and/or exhausted existing garments.  DD is almost done with night pullups - well, at least that will save 20 or so each month!
Our one luxury - music lessons for DC at 100 per month.  He's doing extremely well and it would break my heart for him to have to quit.  He also did a sport this spring but it only cost us 60 for the season - a good bargain.

We've pretty much been living month to month since we arrived here.    Since I'm at home anyway, it would seem that preschool for my daughter might have to go to the wayside, at least until I find a job.   She's 3 and a half now and hasn't been in preschool since before we moved, when I was working.
Would that be reasonable, or would you sacrifice music lessons and immersion for DS?

If it matters, we are 35 and do have about 200k in retirement and at least 6 months living expenses worth of savings, but no house and nothing near a down payment. DH is in a job that will very likely go up in salary in a year or two.
 [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics