https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:54:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-211080 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 02:51:43 +0000 Kemma 211080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted for very comfortable at this point in time but give it six months when Baby has arrived (due October) and my parental leave payments have run out I imagine we'll swing somewhere between struggling and maintaining.</p> <p>At this point in time we have a good super fund (DH is military) and just over $20k in savings as well as being a two income family and the only debt we have is our home loan which sits at just under half the capital value of our home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-211072 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:56:56 +0000 808love 211072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At first, I would say maintaining because we are not saving like crazy. But, we budget for everything, have a lot of assets we could easily sell and nothing we are deprived of. So compared to most and with our very simple lifestyle/ expectations I voted very comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210402 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:58:47 +0000 daniellemybelle 210402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted for maintaining, because struggling sounds dire. We have good jobs with steady income that covers all our expenses with some to spare. We always can pay our bills and generally do the things we want, although we have to be frugal.</p> <p>Having said that, I think a lot of you would think we qualify as struggling, since we live paycheck to paycheck. We have pretty much zero savings right now, and we had to take a no interest paycheck loan from DH's job recently to finance our move. I just got a new job though and my income went up quite a bit, so I hope to start saving a lot more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210371 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:02:35 +0000 GrapeCrush 210371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we were fairly comfortable, however, we didn't save as much as i would have liked when i was working before DS came along. now we are definitely maintaining since i've been on disability and took the extra 4 weeks for the 12 weeks after DS, so the last 4 have been/will be unpaid. plus we ran into some unexpected expenses that we couldn't ignore(drainage in the backyard, duct work in the house for heating) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210364 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:52:34 +0000 sulli301 210364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maintaining, it was very different switching to just 1 income, but we aren't struggling &amp; are fairly comfortable. I am grateful that I can stay home right now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210163 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:55:32 +0000 photojane 210163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i would say we're maintaining, because we live happily and never go without. we always have full bellies and warm water. we have internet and cable, and occasionally go shopping and eat out (cheaply).</p> <p>that being said... i think that if most of you were living my life, you'd consider it struggling. </p> <p>i guess it's all perspective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210155 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:50:05 +0000 Running Elley 210155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now we’re comfortable but it feels like we’re struggling. With both of our incomes we have plenty of money in the bank, are paying bills, etc. However, we’re in the process of buying another home and attempting to rent our current home out so if we don’t get a renter in by the time escrow closes we’ll be paying the mortgage/utilities for 2 homes. With me still working it’s manageable even in those circumstances but once the baby is born we will be struggling/maintaining. It feels like we're struggling right now because we're watching every penny in preparation for what's to come. I’m very grateful that we have no debt (other than our mortgages….cars were paid for in cash, no CC debt, student loans paid off) though so there’s at least that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-210142 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:42:58 +0000 meaganceleste 210142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say we're comfortable, we have some student loan debt and car payments, but we're still saving a good chunk of money each month for a down payment sometime in the near future. We're both looking at hefty raises in the next few months, but since we actively TTC, we've decided to continue to live like we are and start saving some "baby money" for childcare/expenses/etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-209878 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:46:46 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 209878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maintaining. We're living on one income, and it covers expenses but we aren't saving any money. I hope I can start picking up more work in the fall so we can start saving for a house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-209872 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:41:20 +0000 loveisstrange 209872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're comfortable. DH is military and I'm a SAHM but we live pretty frugally. We manage to have enough to live day to day and still buy things when we want them plus put away a decent chunk in savings every month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation/page/2#post-209847 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:24:06 +0000 LuLu Mom 209847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are maintaining right now, we were hit hard a couple months ago and are recovering financially from that. We aren't struggling but we have put a very tight budget in place to help us recover before the baby gets here and I'm on unpaid maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209846 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:22:57 +0000 Mrs. Cowgirl 209846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we are maintaining, but once i go part-time in the fall, it'll be a bit of struggle to keep up. thankfully, the hubs is a saving whiz, so we have a good chunk saved to pay for our adoption and to be a safety net. we hope to store up again soon so we can buy a bigger place in a few years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209834 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:15:54 +0000 mrskc 209834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very comfortable. We have a nice savings and always a nice big cushion in our checking account. We have no debt besides our mortgage. We can pay our bills, save, and have plenty left over for fun stuff. But I'd say we live a pretty modest lifestyle which helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209815 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:05:49 +0000 DillonLion 209815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're maintaining. We do well financially (have more than enough to cover bills and expenses), but struggle with our spending habits. So, even though our income has been increasing, our spending habits remain the same, so we never feel as comfortable as we like because we buy lots of things we don't need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209807 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:57:46 +0000 Meridian 209807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Between maintaining and comfortable. DH just got a 40% raise about a month ago (woohoo!), so we haven't quite figured out how that will change our lifestyle. It probably won't, we'll probably just try and save more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209758 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:31:19 +0000 ladyfingers 209758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I said just comfortable, because we do have a little in savings (about $6,000) and are able to put between $500 and $1,000 in it each month, depending on what else we have going on. We have been using some of it here and there for things around the house, but it's the first time either of us have had any savings at all, so it's good. I am almost completely done with my consumer debt ($17,000 will finally be paid off next month!) but I have a car loan and lots of student loans. DH has no student loans or car loans, but a fair amount of consumer debt. Neither of our retirement funds are much to look at, but we continually contribute to them. As for day-to-day, we always have plenty to get us through the months, with enough left over after bills for eating out regularly (1-2 times/week), buying clothes or little things for the house, etc. My freelance work and bonuses go a long way toward putting us in this position -- as will that extra $600/month freed up once my credit card debt is done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209687 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:03:39 +0000 heffalump 209687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maintaining. I grew up in a house where we were very comfortable when it came to money so it's pretty new to me to not be able to buy things that I want when I want them, but its worth it for me to be able to stay home with my lo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209686 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:03:37 +0000 LindsayInNY 209686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I find it's all relative but if I had to put a word on it, I'd go with comfortable. We pay all bills and save a significant amount of money every month. We're saving for a downpayment which, in NYC, is 20% aka six figures. We know that savings will slow down once we decide to have a family. We're also aggressively paying down our student loans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209683 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:01:07 +0000 hilsy85 209683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very comfortable...we have a large amount in savings, no debt, and we don't really need to scrimp or save for large purchases or vacations. I am not working right now and we are able to live of DH"s paycheck. I am very very grateful and feel very lucky to be in this position! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209678 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:57:40 +0000 Shimmer 209678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted maintaining. DH has a comfortable job with good pay, but I'm currently on disability/maternity leave so my pay has been cut dramatically. We have my student loans (not an astronomical amount), one car loan, DH's CC and personal loan, and our mortgage/bills to worry about. After the babies come, I will not be returning to work, and I'll have to be even more stringent with our finances. I've been a little lax lately to allow us to go out to dinner more and whatnot since we won't have that luxury when the babies come, but we need to cut back a little bit! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209661 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:41:11 +0000 littlebug 209661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted for maintaining, but once baby comes we'll probably be a little closer to struggling, at least for a bit. Right now we're able to pay our bills, set aside for retirement, and put money into savings. Once baby arrives, we will no longer be able to put money into savings. So we're trying to put as much as we can into savings now so that we have a fairly comfortable emergency fund if we need it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209656 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:36:28 +0000 mrsjyw 209656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Comfortable. We save a good chunk, have a budget saved for all things LO, and are able to have fun money every month. </p> <p>We'll def take a dip once LO is here to set up baby funds for future, but we are both really blessed especially here in MI where the job market is still one of the worst in the nation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209636 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:14:39 +0000 MrsTiz 209636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maintaining for now, our rent is unbelievable (for our area) and we're putting in an offer on a house TODAY! (AHHH!!) So there is going to be a lot of money we have to put into the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209634 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:14:34 +0000 MrsBrewer 209634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are "adjusting" I would say that we would be right between struggling and maintaining. We just bought a house, so we are getting used to all of the different expenses and just everything that comes along with it! Our mortgage is a couple hundred more than what we were paying in rent but that's also because we took out a 15 yr mortgage instead of the traditional 30.</p> <p>We haven't had to dip into our savings though thank goodness! We might in the next week or 2, but very minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209630 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:12:03 +0000 Alivoo01 209630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We try to "live" strictly off my paycheck and save the hubby's, but it doesn't always work that way especially around holidays or special occasions (e.g. weddings, friends birthdays, taking visiting family out to eat, etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209583 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 07:32:28 +0000 Mrs. Cat in the Cradle 209583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We struggle, but not in a dire way thankfully. We have enough to cover the bills, and it will certainly get a lot tighter when baby is here. We are one piece away (one of us getting a better job) and we would tilt more towards being comfortable. I've said it before, and I know I will say it again, it is the student loans that cause the issue. A reasonable payback cap would be amazing, and would turn our life around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209570 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 07:17:35 +0000 Minnie_Girl 209570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Normally we'd be doing great, but having a baby and putting 20% down on a house makes for a less than comfortable year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209568 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 07:16:17 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 209568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are struggling but we also have a uncommon conditions. I'm on maternity leave and paycut and my husband is in disability and gets paid very little. We are waiting for an operation so our finances have gone downhill since last year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209564 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 06:57:58 +0000 mrs. bird 209564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're struggling I guess. It sounds so negative though! We're getting by. We both work full time and it's not going to improve much for a couple years while DH finishes a post bac program. But we're both 28 and are not willing to wait until things are 'comfortable' to have kids because that might mean it's too late. </p> <p>We're comfortably struggling I guess :) Our rent is paid, but we have debt, and our nest egg resembles a fish egg rather than a golden goose egg, but we can afford to go on one decent vacation every year or two depending. I am VERY frugal in my shopping and while we look to buy quality things that will last, I also rarely pay full price for anything. We find ways to live within our means- we don't have cable or the Internet at home. People would say we're struggling, but we don't need assistance or anything, so I say we're just fine:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-describe-your-current-financial-situation#post-209509 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:02:26 +0000 DigAPony 209509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are struggling more than we ever have during our entire relationship. We had hoped to TTC for the first time starting this fall, but our financial woes (layoffs, post-grad school job searching, unexpected bills, etc.) have put those plans on hold for quite a while. It sucks. </p>