First world problems

smilelari

I'm feeling seriously grumpy right now.  My current first world problems:

-I just finished our taxes and for the first time ever we owe $$$.  Not sure where that $1500 is coming from.

-2 kids in daycare is kicking our financial ass.  The cable is probably going to go away because we can't afford it.  I hate to admit it but we probably can't afford to pay someone to clean our house anymore either.  That makes me sad.  I suppose the other option is looking at cheaper childcare... pretty sure I'd rather give up the cable

-Baby weight is coming off much more slowly than I would like

-I hate my house and will be stuck here for at least 5 more years

Repeating to myself:  We both have good jobs.  We might even get raises this year.  We have a roof over our heads.  We have 2 beautiful children.

Anyone else want to vent?  And can anyone tell me how to fit cleaning the house and couponing into a schedule that involves working full time, 2 kids and a hubby that works full time and is a student?

DruidPrincess

smilelari:

Anyone else want to vent?  And can anyone tell me how to fit cleaning the house and couponing into a schedule that involves working full time, 2 kids and a hubby that works full time and is a student?

Get yourself a Swiffer wet jet and some dusting and windex wipes. They all make cleaning go a bit faster IMO.

Lose the cable... You've seen the testimonials of other women on here who have given it up and never looked back.

And read any of swinsto's posts. Perspective, dear. Perspective. It's ok to vent... But sweet Lord, things could be worse. 

smilelari

DruidPrincess:

smilelari:

Anyone else want to vent?  And can anyone tell me how to fit cleaning the house and couponing into a schedule that involves working full time, 2 kids and a hubby that works full time and is a student?

Get yourself a Swiffer wet jet and some dusting and windex wipes. They all make cleaning go a bit faster IMO.

Lose the cable... You've seen the testimonials of other women on here who have given it up and never looked back.

And read any of swinsto's posts. Perspective, dear. Perspective. It's ok to vent... But sweet Lord, things could be worse. 

ITA.  I know it's ridiculous to whine about not having someone to clean my house

DruidPrincess

Here's my FWP today:

The people MIL rents the horse property too blocked part of the driveway today... Making me have to carry the groceries from trunk to door by an extra 30 feet. I glared at their trucks every time, both ways. 

swinsto3

DruidPrincess:

smilelari:

Anyone else want to vent?  And can anyone tell me how to fit cleaning the house and couponing into a schedule that involves working full time, 2 kids and a hubby that works full time and is a student?

Get yourself a Swiffer wet jet and some dusting and windex wipes. They all make cleaning go a bit faster IMO.

Lose the cable... You've seen the testimonials of other women on here who have given it up and never looked back.

And read any of swinsto's posts. Perspective, dear. Perspective. It's ok to vent... But sweet Lord, things could be worse. 

Oh, it can so get worse. But that doesn't mean you can't have a little pity party now and then . And amen to the Swiffer WetJet - pretty sure my floors would never get cleaned without one.  

RyanandManda

I wouldn't worry about living without cable.  You'll use the TV time to do chores or coupon, right?  ; ) 

 If you're really satisfied with your current daycare, I wouldn't sacrifice that to save money.

If you and DH can tolerate your jobs, don't leave them and try to make the best of it.  I'd kill for a job right now...  Our savings will be gone in 3-6 months depending on how much sub teaching work I can get and then I have no idea how we'll survive.  Seriously. 

bmbeck6614

1st Big Hugs!!!

2nd- You know I will take baby snuggles whenever I can get them.. If you need me to come over during the week or weekends.. I am more than willing to come over and help you clean or watch the kids!!! I AM NOT KIDDING!!!! If you need an empty house just bring some toys and the kids and drop them off at Auntie Manda's!!!

3rd- More hugs for the taxes

Mrs.Greeko

Why does it seem so many people owe taxes this year that don't normally?  This makes me scared o do mine.  In home daycare... That's how we can afford three kids.  . Cable is overrated.  Having a cleaning person is not.  That's a marriage saver right there!  My FWP is I got a new smartphone and it annoys me because I have to charge it every day or else it dies.  My old iPhone only had to be charged maybe twice a week.  This makes me irrationally annoyed.

ruby soho

Larissa, I think you will feel better if we go have some drinks. We can drop all the kids off at Auntie Mandas (:

I totally get being upset over having to get rid of the house cleaner. My house looks like a tornado went through it with one kid. By the time I get home from work I make dinner, wash and sterilize the pump parts and bottles for the day, give L a bath, do her bedtime routine, etc, I collapse. Oh and add pumping into all of that too. There is no cleaning going on around here during the week and the last thing I want to do is clean on the weekends. My grandparents were here watching the baby on Friday an my grandma did all of our laundry. Like ten loads. Totally awesome of her but super embarrassing that it had gotten that bad. Also indicative to the fact that we have too many clothes. Lol.

Its been a super expensive year for you guys and I don't blame you for feeling it. I can't imagine paying two full time daycare positions.

And Manda, you seriously need to open a home daycare for the cc kids! 

todds_wife

I cant decide if we should get a big-ass house in the burbs or a smaller house more centrally located. My kid's favorite noise is a screech. (I'm so.lucky he is here and able to.screech) My dh's dang good job means he travels some about every other week, which bums me out even though Nana comes to stay with us when he is gone, which is sort of pathetic on my part. Our washer and dryer are pretty loud. And I vote that drinks with B will make FWPs much easier to deal with!

tra_la_la

The way I see it I would rather have a messy house and get to spend the time with DH and G. You will get in a groove and cleaning will take no time at all. Look into the flylady.com some nesties sent me to her website and it has made a huge difference in our house. Just remember things could be much worse. ETA: Just a thought, you might be able to get some coupon stuff done while you pump. I used to fold laundry, clip coupons or surf the web. It made the time much more productive.

carrierrie

I think what you're feeling right now is pretty normal.  I don't know how we get by either, but we do.  I'm seriously considering kicking my cable to curb, but not sure of my strategy quite yet.  This year is actually the first year we haven't had to pay taxes in quite some time, but only because I made so little money last year.  Nice catch-22, huh?  I am counting down the months to Kindergarten (6 ish) so that we can save $550/mo on care for our dd.  I juggle quite a bit myself and it's rare I do anything for myself.  We went out last night and every $ we spent, I cringed, but it's ok to do once in awhile to keep you sane.  Our house isn't immaculate, but we keep up on it by putting away paperwork, homework, newspapers, mags, etc. every night before bed.  Some cleaning or "finding time" tips I have:  wipe down vanity top and sinks while brushing teeth, clean bathroom while kids bath (but you might need to only do this with the older one), trade kiddo time with other families so that you can run errands or tidy up the house, etc.

Hang in there.  I know it's hard when you have an itty bitty baby that really needs you, but know that this too shall pass

smilelari

ruby soho:

Larissa, I think you will feel better if we go have some drinks. We can drop all the kids off at Auntie Mandas (:

I totally get being upset over having to get rid of the house cleaner. My house looks like a tornado went through it with one kid. By the time I get home from work I make dinner, wash and sterilize the pump parts and bottles for the day, give L a bath, do her bedtime routine, etc, I collapse. Oh and add pumping into all of that too. There is no cleaning going on around here during the week and the last thing I want to do is clean on the weekends. My grandparents were here watching the baby on Friday an my grandma did all of our laundry. Like ten loads. Totally awesome of her but super embarrassing that it had gotten that bad. Also indicative to the fact that we have too many clothes. Lol.

Its been a super expensive year for you guys and I don't blame you for feeling it. I can't imagine paying two full time daycare positions.

And Manda, you seriously need to open a home daycare for the cc kids! 

drinks are good

sometimes I take a work from home day so that I can catch up on laundry. we all do what we gotta do, right?

goldenjes

I'm worried about our taxes too.  We've never owed, but this year (based on an online estimator) we might, and we just don't have it.

I'm in the no-cable-for-year group and I'm happy with it.  In fact, we're kicking Comcast to the curb altogether and hooking up CenturyLink for internet, plus a MagicJack so we can still have a home phone #. (Just lowered the minutes on our cell plan)  I'll let you know how I like it, but our total payments are down about $110 per month from a year ago with all of that.

 I don't have a house cleaner, and really wish I did.  My one goal for this month is to get rid of everything not needed.  I'm hoping for 2 minivan loads.  We get really busy, going different directions, but I can keep up on the actual cleaning-bathrooms, kitchen, etc.  (I also do the bathroom during LG's bath time)  I get really bogged down with clutter though.... total FWP.