My paycheck yesterday included the adjustments that I made in my 401k (from 5% to 8%) and prepaid medical (from $300 yr to $1200 yr). It was $190 less than usual. My annual increase doesnt kick in until next payday, but I am figuring an extra $100 net- which still puts me below my previous take home by $90 every two weeks. If the merit increase isn't approved, I will adjust the budget accordingly for 2012. But I am hopeful that at least part of the 90 will be covered with even a small merit raise.
I still need to increase my 401k to meet retirement goals, but we also need to allocate towards debt reduction- so I am trying to balance. Plus, I want to allocate some towards the hubs 401k as soon as we can change his contribution amount.
DD1 turned 30 yesterday. She is such an amazing young lady. A thought occured to me that she is now the same age my brother was when he died. I have a new appreciation for how my parents must have felt- as (in my eyes) DD1 is still my baby who has so much left to experience. I hugged her extra tightly when we said goodbye after dinner last night.
DD2 had to work and wasnt able to join us, she also didnt have a sitter for the lil foster guy (12 mo)..so he joined us. He got a little cranky and I had finished eating, so I took him and walked over and watched the guy grilling the steaks who kept entertaining the baby by making the open fire flame up. He doesnt smile or laugh easily or often, but he did at the fire flash. At one point Z looked at me, put his tiny hands on my cheeks and came in with a big slobber baby kiss. LOL. Clearly he was having fun. I just adore this lil guy. As he is developing and trying to stand, we have noticed one of his legs turns very awkwardly inward and his foot is very turned. Because his first several months were spent literally living in a carseat, it may have caused things to form wrong, so they are going to run some tests and set up a corrective plan.
The hubs next rotation home will only be for two weeks again...he loves this job and is more than happy to work the extra week when he can. However, this will probably be the last 4/2 rotation until next winter. Until then, he will be on 3/3 which will be so nice.- We can actually take a week long vacation together and go do something...maybe even a couple of them.
With my new position at work, I will need to attend an out of state training this year. My choices are Boston in May or Chicago in September. I am leaning towards Boston, simply because the training is sooner and I will be able to do my job better once I attend. The nice thing is that the hub can come with and we can take a few extra days to sight see. (We have to pay his travel and the extra nights at the hotel ourselves, but still a fun opportunity to visit somewhere we have never been!) Anyone have insight if one or the other option is mo' better?
Well, time to get at it this morning. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!
Saturday morning musings...
January 28th, 2012 at 04:58 pm
January 28th, 2012 at 05:26 pm 1327771601
January 28th, 2012 at 08:20 pm 1327782006
January 28th, 2012 at 09:10 pm 1327785053
I'm the parent of a child who benefitted from orthopedic services for a turned in foot. The extended family referred to them as "Frankenstein boots" which really irked me, but after seven months of biweekly visits for adjustment, he turned out fully corrected. For those relatives who laughed at him, at 7 he has the most wicked left footed soccer kick ever.
January 28th, 2012 at 09:58 pm 1327787884
January 29th, 2012 at 02:54 am 1327805651
I had to wear a leg brace and orthopedic shoe for several years when I was little - one of my legs was slightly shorter than the other and I think I overcompensated when walking.
January 30th, 2012 at 03:21 am 1327893690
January 31st, 2012 at 04:24 am 1327983889