More Hours

Today I’ll be working some more hours.  I don’t know exactly how many, but more are always welcome.  I woke up to a text from the mom of the kiddo I watch, asking if I could stay longer today.  She received a promotion at work a couple of weeks ago, and ever since then, I’ve been getting extra time.

When I started taking care of this kiddo, I wasn’t sure how long the position would last.  Hate to admit it, but I’ve often thought of it in terms of “I hope I can keep the job long enough to pay off the furnace, then it was the Citi, and now the Visa.”  I do enjoy taking care of him, but I know the job won’t last forever.  For now, though, he still has too many medical issues to go to a regular sitter.

I was trying to figure out how much more we could pay towards the Visa next week.  As of Monday, it will be down to $3,300.  I’m allocating $300 out of my check from today.  With the extra hours and some I can transfer from my M-Turk earning, I may be able to come up with another $100.  I’m eager to get the balance below $3,000.  Loving the progress we are making!

Last night Hubs was asking me whether or not we could pay off the Visa by the end of October by him staying out longer. When he is home, other than his travel days, he isn’t earning.  On average, he comes home for a week or so every 3-4 weeks.  Kind of funny, but with all the focus on this last debt, he forgot that we still have regular bills to pay.  If we can, it will be tight.  Of course, a lot of it also depends on how much our checks are.  October is also the month for Hub’s quarterly bonus, although it isn’t guaranteed.  If he gets one, it averages a net of $230-ish, which would also help.  Next year, I’m going to insist he keeps the bonus for himself.

Another thing I need to figure out in all the logistics of paying off the Visa is a trip to see family at the end of October. Initially, I was going to go alone, but we decided Hubs should come along so he can see his mother.  We haven’t seen her since last November. We figure we can make a day of visiting and make one big loop.  First go and see my dad for a couple of hours, drive another hour to his mom for a couple of hours and then head another 45 minutes to see my brother’s new cottage before returning to our daughter’s house.

What I need to factor for the trip is mostly time missed from work.  Since Hubs will be overdue for time off, he will take a few extra days.  The kiddo has two out-of-state doctor’s appointments during that time, so I already have those days off.  We won’t have any hotel expenses as we will be staying with our daughter.  I’ll pack food to take with us for the ten-hour trip to her place.  Our car gets decent gas mileage, so at least that won’t cost us all that much.

If we can make paying off the Visa in October happen, believe me, we will.  If not, it won’t be for lack of trying!  Meanwhile, I’ll be scrimping and watching every dime, doing my M-Turks, working any extra hours that are offered…doing whatever I can to get this blasted debt gone!