Jan 15
I’ll Tell You What I Want What I Really Really Want (Part 1)
Before my wife got her hooks into me, I used to spend money like it was going out of style. Which is really all to say that I never saved money and just enjoyed a comfortable single guy lifestyle of eating out all the time with friends.
Now that I’m married, have kids, and just “getting off the ground” with web design stuff, I’ve REALLY had to dial it back. But with every new financial foothold I gain back (it’s a rough transition from the 9-5 to this), the more I can dream about life’s little luxuries.
Day Care
By far, the biggest luxury I’m looking forward to in the near future is being able to afford day care again for my 2 kids. Don’t take this the wrong way, the kids are great and I know I’m lucky to be able to spend so much time with them – But trying to program while my littlest one is on my lap turning off my monitors, trying to take conference calls while my oldest is yelling for more apple juice… It can be a bit trying sometimes. And I also look at this as an important milestone because conceivably with more time, I’ll have more of an opportunity to grow my business. Or at least the theory goes.
Insurance
I know you’re going to get a kick out of this one Pete, but I can’t wait to have decent insurance again either. Right now we have the “if you lose an arm, you won’t lose a leg” insurance so for things like going to the Allergist, I’m pretty much SOL. I’ve been pretty lucky that I haven’t been really sick either but just being able to get back on my allergy meds would do so much for my sleeping habits.
Gym
Lastly on my list of “must haves” is the gym. I belong/used to belong (it’s complicated) to a Globo Gym with admittedly, a pretty high price tag. I really want to get back in there because we all know that staying healthy does A LOT for you. But when you’re home with the kids every waking moment, it’s kinda hard to find a yourself out of the house with an hour to lift.
And of course I have a ton more on my list, but if I wrote them all out here, it would be an extremely long post. I think I’ll probably post more next Friday (fun stuff at that) – So make sure to check back then!
January 15th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Thankyou Chuck Norris!
Damn I love that movie.
I can well imagine the lack of day care is driving you a little loopy. I need absolute silence for concentration so coding must be a nightmare for you.
Gotta love that government healthcare. Well it’s funded by taxes of course but…well if you are a business owner you avoid that as much as possible. Legally, of course!
January 15th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@Pete – I had to sit here for 5 seconds and think, “Chuck Norris? What the hell is he talking about???” And then I remembered he was the guest judge HA HA HA! I need to go back and watch that movie again. Good pull Pete.
But yeah, trying to do the COMPUTER thing can really go either way. I mean you know that most of the stuff I do these days is website stuff so more often than not there’s little “real programming” involved. But when things get a little more involved yeah… It sucks! On days like that I’ve learned that you can only do what you can do so I really don’t stress.
Well the health care we have now is one that the wife found and basically we have a $5000 deductible. I don’t know if you’re familiar but we essentially have to spend $5000 before insurance will pick up anything. What this equates to is $300 prescriptions and office visits. (#):(
January 17th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Yah, even though I dont get paid very much considering how much I do (my mediocre talents aside), we do have good insurance here at the church.
My Co-Pay for a Dr. visit . . . $0.
I do pay for all my meds, BUT I get reimbursed the next paycheck 100% for prescriptions related to sicknesses.
My allergy meds I pay up front and then get reimbursed 80%.
So other then having to keep a good buffer in the checking account (just so I can pay upfront) it’s a life saver !
I am truly blessed to have such good health care.
After my house fire several years ago, I moved in with Dad. Paying $200 in rent and maybe a few bucks in utilities I had money coming out the wazoo. Bud did I save it ? Only some. It’s amazing how I could spend all that money in a month ! Now that I live on my own, the budget is tight tight tight ! The biggest thing I’ve had to learn is how to save some money every month to set aside for emergencies and the like. I cant imagine having two kids and ALL the expenses that they come with and having my own business to juggle . . . along with the kids !
From what many of my other married friends tell me, getting the kids to day care will make your days more productive. That way when you do spend time with them, you can devote your full attention to them . . . so it’s more quality time though less quantity time.
That’s just what they tell me anyhow, I just have a dog so what do I know lol.
You’re a good man my friend !
January 18th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
@Ian – Hm, I never thought of the “more quality time” thing. But it’s probably very true. Even though I took them out yesterday downtown (and on their first metro ride), when we’re around the house lately it’s like I can spend some time here and there with them but almost as soon as I start it’s time to stop and start working again.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:49 am
[...] to blow on the good stuff! Week before last I shared some of the things I’m most excited on incorporating back into my life from insurance to my gym membership, but today I’ll share with you some of the good [...]