Anonymous wrote:I second the person who said consider adding a second bathroom, even if it is just a powder room.

She said in her post they have a second half bath.

OP, I would vote for doing it. You will not get to it after that baby comes. You aren't going to want to haul a baby to the gym to shower, etc. However, just make sure that you have budgeted for your child care and childbirth costs, and plan to live as frugally as you can to rebuild that savings.

I think going from 6 months to 3 months in emergency savings, when you still have stable jobs and other money you could access is not something I would worry about. Whether you should get a half bath or renovate the current one I have no idea.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fmla does not give you a salary...

+1

FMLA is UNPAID leave.

If they've been at their jobs long enough, they probably have enough vacation/sick leave to cover the fmla as paid leave.

I second the person who said consider adding a second bathroom, even if it is just a powder room.

15k is a lot to spend on a small bathroom on an old house. I would tone down the finishings to match the lower priced old house and do it for about 5-7k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fmla does not give you a salary...

+1

FMLA is UNPAID leave.

OP said that she and her husband both have enough leave to take 12 weeks paid, so even though the law does not provide for paid leave, they will use their accrued paid leave for that period.

Anonymous wrote:Fmla does not give you a salary...

+1

FMLA is UNPAID leave.

Anonymous wrote:Are you prepared to live with an emergency fund of only $15K and possibly less, as you are most likely not going to be able to replenish it after the baby is born? If so, go ahead and remodel.

Think worse case scenario at the hospital requiring surgery. What will that cost?

I had complications and an episiotomey that cost over 20k but insurance covered it 8 yrs ago. We paid nothing. 3 years ago had a simple birth and it cost US 2k. Make sure you have the $ to cover bills and plan to stay home at least 12 weeks.

I doubt your husband's leave will be fully paid. My husband is a fed and could only use sick time during my recovery period. After that it is vacay.

Do it ONLY if you can commit to living frugally so you can quickly replenish the savings.

No newspaper or magazines.
No mani/pedis.
No more maternity clothes. Wear what you have. Buy only a couple tops and pants.
No eating out.
Stay out of the mall and don't make any impulse purchases.

Can you do this? Honestly, I'm surprised by how much money people piss away. Beauty products and shampoos and haircuts and highlights every 6-8 weeks, etc can turn into bug savings if you simply eliminate them for 3-6 months.

^^that is a great point about the 2nd bathroom. Good advice!

Does your house have only 1 bathroom? (not even a second "half" bath?) If so can you add a second bathroom? that would be better money spent at least from a house value standpoint.

Fmla does not give you a salary...

Just do it! You're going to be spending so much time inside with the new baby you're going to want a nice bathroom

If you are comfortable with spending the money I would go ahead and do it. MUCH easier now than later, and it sounds like your finances are in good order.