gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 28, 2017 14:21:52 GMT -5
I've had bad vision since I was 13. I don't bother with eye insurance. An eye exam only cost about $100 or less out of pocket and I don't need to go every year. I get glasses online for about $30 and again don't need them every year. A year supply of contact lenses that actually lasts me about two years is about $100. So I pay out of pocket maybe a total of $100 or less per year. I don't bother reimbursing with my hsa either.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 19, 2017 18:03:15 GMT -5
Locking the tenant out without a court order and sheriff eviction will come back to bite them. Get a real eviction or make them want to leave. Move in people they don't like, provide no food or services of any kind. cash for keys, playing the tv or radio while they are trying to sleep or other mild annoyances. [brl] That's actually really good advice. My friend was going through a breakup with a live in boyfriend and he did not want the relationship to end or to move out. I was looking for a place to buy and didn't want to sign a lease, so I moved in with her. He was pissed as this was one more wedge between then working things out. He moved out a month later and their breakup stuck.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 18, 2017 20:29:11 GMT -5
When I was single and only home to eat, sleep and get ready in the morning, I would put my plates, silverware and cups in the dishwasher as I used them and run the dishwasher once every 7-10 days. I also often used saucer size plates so as to go even longer before needing to run the dishwasher and reused my water glass for at least a week.
My sink was never full of dishes and I am super lazy. The only thing I hand wash is pots and pans and that's only because they would take up too much space in the dishwasher. I immediately wash them so it's fast and easy.
That said, do what you need to do.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 18, 2017 15:06:38 GMT -5
Is there any study that has done a comparison between using a roll of PT and washing a batch of cleaning towels - how do they compare - we are using soap , water and electricity and sending the dirty water to the ground etc.etc.etc. We exclusively use cloth napkins and towels. I have never done a separate load of laundry for them. The used ones go in every load and take up about as much space as a shirt or two. So I don't count water and electricity usage for "unpaper" towels as waste. I was doing a load of clothes anyway. I'm not too worried about cross contamination by laundering textiles.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 16, 2017 10:26:16 GMT -5
All that to say, my older sister also had to be taken as a hostage on most of our family outings growing up and she made sure the rest of the family had a bad time too. By the time she was 14, she ran away and never went on anymore family outings. My parents did not mistreat her. Not all kids are easy and it is really hard to know what to do when you don't have an easy kid. You can do everything right and it still turns out wrong. You can do everything wrong and some kids will turn out ok.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 16, 2017 10:19:27 GMT -5
I took the family to an indoor water park this weekend. It was my oldest dd's 6th birthday and that's how we decided to celebrate. The place is great and is a lot of fun for kids. I booked an overnight kids cabin room. My other two are 1 and 3 so trips like these are still challenging and a lot of work to accommodate all 3.
When my oldest was 4, she got angry when her friend blew out her candles before she could, when she was 5, she decided too many kids came to her party and it was the worst party ever, this time it went pretty well until a minor ketchup incident and it was the "worst birthday" ever.
Last weekend, she threw a fit and refused to go to the pumpkin patch with us, we put her in the car and took her as a hostage. 90% of the time she is sweet as can be, great to her little sisters and a good student. But these issues are becoming harder to deal with. I dread the teenage years.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 14, 2017 7:16:36 GMT -5
Did you mean to say that together pay $1200 per month? Otherwise, why wouldn't you just decline coverage under one of the plans? It sounds like it should be your husband's. You don't need the double coverage because you said you guys are typically healthy people. If something happened (death, divorce, unemployment), it would be a qualifying event (or whatever it is called), and your husband could pick his back up. We pay $352 for family coverage. My share is $35 a month. (Yes, that is extremely low.) DH also pays the $100+ (I don't pay it so I don't know it off the top of my head) for Medicare. Our insurance is extremely good most of the time. The only bobble was the coverage for therapy, and that got straightened out. No, I didn't. We're not paying "out of pocket" though since we don't see that money anyway. Our employer's health insurance package covers $1360/month per employee.
I was wrong about my husband's premiums though: My husband's insurance premium is $808.75 (health)+139.80 (dental)+35.09(vision)=983.64/month. The employer pays all of that and puts the remainder of the benefit into an HSA in his name. That's $375.44/month in the HSA. I'm not covered on any of that health insurance. We chose the lowest priced plan.
For my health insurance: 1109.14(health)+91.96(dental)+51.10(vision)=1252.60/month 177.80 goes into my HSA per month. This is also the lowest priced plan available to me but it covers all of both of as spouses and there isn't a choice about that. (I also elect to have $350,000 of life insurance through that company at $20.69/month.)
Both plans have a $3600/year deductible and 20% co-pays regardless of meeting the deductible. The more expensive plan choices have at best $1,000/year deductibles and 20% co-pays regardless.
Because I don't get the cash of the insurance premium benefit, declining either plan is not advantageous for us.
if I decline, I'm out the coverage and the HSA. So instead, we get the minimum plans, have the HSAs (which used to FSAs, so that's an improvement), and have double coverage for everyone except for me. If I could cash out either my or my husband's $1360/month benefit, I certainly would decline one and invest that cash.
Unfortunately, our state legislature is discussing that if spouses are both public employees, only one is allowed to have insurance benefits and the other would get nothing. I don't particularly find that marriage penalty fair. I realize others think it is fair/good for the government. Your post is confusing because it says you each pay it but in reality your employer pays it. If I am comprehending, you each pay $0. That's an incredibly generous plan yet it sounds like you're complaining. If I opt out of my employer's plan, of course I wouldn't get compensated, every young healthy person would do that. Or every single person would complain. We each have high deductible plans, but like yours, his employer covers the cost of the family plans. I pay $200/month for my own crappy hdhp so I can fund an HSA and my employer gives my $500 if I take the annual health screening. The difference though is I am not covered on his family plan. Interesting perspective. I never considered employees should be entitled to their cash equivalent of benefits. That would definitely disrupt the benefit playing field. Tuition reimbursement, parental leave, child care reimbursement, etc, everyone would be demanding their cash, even if they didn't take classes, have a baby or children.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 11, 2017 8:19:05 GMT -5
I've interviewed candidates who looked great on paper and bombed the interview. The first time it happened was definitely shocking. The recruiter sent me a hundred good ones and this one really stood out. I figured the interview would just be a check in the box exercise because in my mind she was a perfect fit of education (PhD) and over 10 years direct experience. Well it turns out she was way too academic and could barely articulate how she applied the skills from her experience. Plus when asking her basic stuff from her resume she couldn't tell me what it meant. After an hour, I wasn't at all convinced she could do the job and crossed her off my list. Pretty disappointing.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 9, 2017 12:00:30 GMT -5
Look up Google project Fi. I got it a year ago after hemming and hawing about ting. It is also pay for what you use. Basic pricing is $20/month for unlimited calls and texts and $10/month per gb. I usually use 1/2 gb since I'm usually on wifi. After taxes my total bill is only $27 or $28 and I use my phone a lot. No point in having a smart phone if you can't use it.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 9, 2017 10:29:28 GMT -5
[Some areas where you might be able to save:
Utilities: I switched to Google Fiber plus Netflix plus MagicJack. I miss a few cable shows but not enough to go back to cable. This summer I started leaving the windows open instead of turning on the A/C. DH didn't tolerate warm temperatures well because of his illness but he died last year. I turn on the A/C only if it's over 80 outside and mostly at night. I draw the line at being so hot I can't sleep. My electric bills the last 2 months are half of what they were in previous months. My Ting bill for my iPhone rarely goes over $20/month- it varies according to my usage.
Starbucks- this will sound crazy but my local blood bank has a rewards program and one reward is Starbucks gift cards. I can't donate enough to get $100/month but it's enough that I never have to pay cash at Starbucks. My granddaughter likes their cake pops!
I also use e-Rewards and answer surveys to get Hilton points. That and the blood donations are things I can do with my leisure time since I'm retired. I didn't start donating platelets and plasma till after I retired because it basically kills the whole afternoon.
If you're retired you may also be able to take over some or all of the gardening. I mow my own lawn and pull a LOT of weeds.
BTW, I retired with more than $1 million but I'm still careful about monitoring expenses and reducing them where I can. [/quote]
I wish Google fiber would come to my area. There is no way to pay less than $100 for internet without bundling.
I have been thrilled with my Google fi cell phone plan. $25/month and no contract.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 9, 2017 10:23:01 GMT -5
Is your kindergartner able to come home after school while one of you works from home? My oldest just started kindergarten, and I will still be paying over $10k/year for her between summer, admin days and after school. I seriously wanted to cry when I figured out that I'd still be paying over $30k a year once they are all in school. That's not relief. [img src="http://storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png" class="smile" alt=" "] No, unfortunately we don't really have WFH type jobs. Our kindergarten gets out at 2:20 and once a week gets out 75 minute earlier than that so it's a significant chunk of the work day. The after care is not as expensive as full time day care. We were at 2k a month for day care this summer. After care is around $500 a month, plus all those annoying specialty days off where we'll pay $100/day. Camps are around $250-300/week for weeks that are off (winter break, etc). so we still come out ahead. It's not 0 but it's not as much, I'm guessing around $1000/month instead of 2. Gotcha, same exact boat. School is out at 2:00. My boss lives in Colorado and the kids can enroll in the after school and summer programs for free, so she actually does have no more daycare expenses. I am so jealous!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 8, 2017 14:45:11 GMT -5
0 on the cars, but we did shell out 8k last month for a new engine .... (no comment there) Savings - Both of us are in peak earnings, so.... we "save" 15k a month including 401 + matches, HSAs, deferred compensation, one of us is in the catch-up years, taxable, and also extra contributions to the mortgage and 10k a year to a college savings plan. To tie in what Ms D posted - I have never in my life had a car worth over... maybe 17k? Let alone a 30k car. And as mentioned above, we are both older and in peak high earning years so our savings rates are higher than ever (and little one just went to K so no day care costs!!!). Is your kindergartner able to come home after school while one of you works from home? My oldest just started kindergarten, and I will still be paying over $10k/year for her between summer, admin days and after school. I seriously wanted to cry when I figured out that I'd still be paying over $30k a year once they are all in school. That's not relief.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Oct 1, 2017 7:03:56 GMT -5
What bothered me most about the original post was that it came from an adult daughter with kids of her own. My interpretation, my mom is getting older, dad's already gone, if I can stash mom's money in a trust, then she can go on Medicaid, i get a million dollar inheritance and don't have to plan for my special needs child anymore. Nevermind what's best for mom. Yuck. She was called out and is long gone.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Sept 26, 2017 13:24:47 GMT -5
I told my parents a long time ago that I expect them to enjoy their money while they are alive. If there is an inheritance, it better be insurance related.
As for my own kids, when they are much older, I may have a conversation with them regarding their preference. If they want an inheritance and expensive care would wipe it out, then they better think about if it's worth a multigenerational household to preserve an inheritance.
In this situation, maybe if these grown kids want that money for their kids, they can step up and take care of their mother rather than shove her in a Medicaid facility. Those facilities and funding should be for people who have no alternative. I am guessing op's child is the special needs child although that was not spelled out.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 21, 2017 15:46:37 GMT -5
If you figure it out please let me know the answer. Hey Archie, I have a question for you... What will be the taxes implications if a couple goes from contributions 36k/year to their retirement account and now contribute enough to get the match or $6,480/year. How much of that 30k difference will they net? 30k x your tax bracket - 30k is the rough calculation.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 21, 2017 15:19:30 GMT -5
Telling a panicking person to relax rarely has the desired effect (unless the desired effect is to agitate them even more) This is probably not psychologist-approved, but have you tried agreeing with her when she goes into these spirals? "You're right, there's no way you can do this job. It's not like they went out of their way to hire you after you told them you didn't want it. They also definitely didn't reassure you that your job was safe for years when you were worried about being fired after funding ran out. Your old employer must have hated you too, that's why they let you work from home after we moved to D.C." (preferably in a very sarcastic voice so she knows you're not being serious) DH has done this to me a few times, and it always pisses me off, but it usually does work to bring me out of whatever self-defeating spiral I've created. I'm very stubborn and can't resist some good reverse psychology. That would definitely piss me off. She went from working from home while balancing the responsibilities of being a new mom, to now having to work longer hours outside the home in a brand new job and not seeing her baby she spent so much time and money trying to conceive. It's a huge adjustment. She needs empathy, understanding and support. Bonus if you give her some congrats on her first week flowers and a pep talk about how smart and capable she is. Good luck!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 18, 2017 15:30:54 GMT -5
22 minutes is exactly how long it takes me to get the three of them out the door. My super power is timing, pretty lame as far as super powers, but better than nothing. If I am running late (which is rare), every light turns green and lanes clear. And hey, I haven't used an alarm clock in over 20 years. I am not sure I ever needed one. does that include breakfast and brushing teeth? or do they eat at daycare? Since I am totally ready and the car is packed, that includes turning Dora on, opening the door to my 3 yr old and 5 yr olds room. My 5 yr old gets up right away not wanting to miss dora. She is ready in 5 min, my 3 yr old grudgingly gets out of bed and I am able to get her dressed and teeth brushed in 5 min. Then I go to my 1 year olds room, who likes to snuggle for a few minutes. Once I get her diaper changed, teeth brushed and clothes on, I can return to brushing hair and putting shoes on. When Dora ends, they know it is time to march out the door. They do get breakfast at daycare, but I used to work that when I dropped them off later. I would have their breakfast out before getting them up, get them dressed and they could watch the 22 min show and eat while i brushed their hair and put shoes on. It is much easier now that I don't have to nurse the baby.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 18, 2017 14:41:51 GMT -5
you get 3 kids up, dressed, and out the door in 30 minutes? You get yourself AND the car ready in 30 minutes?!?! Wow, I am failing at life!!! 22 minutes is exactly how long it takes me to get the three of them out the door. My super power is timing, pretty lame as far as super powers, but better than nothing. If I am running late (which is rare), every light turns green and lanes clear. And hey, I haven't used an alarm clock in over 20 years. I am not sure I ever needed one.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 18, 2017 13:51:20 GMT -5
I am in a rut and not exercising, my day starts at 5:00 when I am. I don't drink coffee. You guys need more sleep!
6:30 wake up naturally, get ready for work, empty dishwasher, load up car, throw in laundry 7:00 get my 3 kids up and dressed 7:30 drop kids off at daycare 8:00 arrive at work, work through lunch 5:00 leave work 5:30 home with the kids, switch laundry, cook dinner, clean kitchen 6:00 dinner at the table, clean up dishes and vacuum crumbs 6:30 family time/play with kids, fold and put away laundry 8:30 kids in bed and stuff laid out for the morning 9:00 tidy up, check phone and work emails 10ish: asleep
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 13, 2017 8:29:32 GMT -5
I don't give away anywhere close to 20%. But, between cash, paycheck deductions, volunteering and organizing drives and fundraisers, it is substantial. I organized a school supply drive at work last month and we managed to collect over 8000 supplies and 255 backpacks that will go to underprivileged children in our community. This month, I am working on a food drive. It is far more successful and rewarding than anything I could ever do on my own. I hope your wife is able to use her freed up time towards her passion.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 11, 2017 12:59:29 GMT -5
I made $40k when I bought my first house for $165k. I stayed out of debt, saved and put 15% in my 401(k). And I am not in a lcol area. Everyone budget is different. She has 2 kids she is still supporting, one of them will always need her financial support. 40k is not chump change but it sure is not life on easy street. I am 32 and while not 40's or 50's... I have made the decision that I am past the just "survive" financially or "make ends meet". I paid my dues in my 20's and don't care to go back. She is not supporting them on a single income, even if they divorced.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 11, 2017 12:15:11 GMT -5
Realism ladies. 40k in a locola with no kids you can easy support yourself quite nicely, especially when you have been banking an awesomesauce pension. I live in a LCOLA area and I can't imagine only making $40k. Even if you take away the $18k I into my 401k each year, I can't imagine making so little. I made $40k when I bought my first house for $165k. I stayed out of debt, saved and put 15% in my 401(k). And I am not in a lcol area. Everyone budget is different.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 11, 2017 10:53:07 GMT -5
Your giving to others doesn't bother me nor does it make me feel like you "value" others over your wife. It's apparent to me that you care very much for your wife. It's also apparent, from what you write, that your charitable donations are a mutual decision. Of course that's the easiest place to cut for now but that doesn't mean you have to jump for joy over it.
I'm not married so I didn't have much input here that wouldn't come across as pure jealousy that I don't have the options your wife has. I suppose there is some jealousy there. It wouldn't be an option for me to take a pay cut like that because I don't have anyone to make up the slack. Believe me, there are a bunch of days when I'd rather be doing something less stressful.
I hope that everything works out for you guys and I bet it will. And if I do decide to get married, I hope that I find someone who feels that giving to others ranks right up there with everything else. I'll have to stop reading this board, tho, because every time I see a thread like this, I realize being single isn't the worst thing ever!
All good things to you and the Tractor family. One of the things that came through in this thread is how much tractor loves his wife so I don't know how anyone can say he doesn't value her.
And you and I are probably coming at this from the same perspective. I'm single. I hate my job. But I have to find a way to replace my income or I can't leave. Simple as that. I'm a single mom with a demanding job involving travel that is extremely difficult since I'm also a single mom with an idiot ex husband...so yeah, I understand stress and I deal with it. I don't have the luxury to not deal with it. But I don't think I'm jealous over that...I don't have the personality to let my spouse absorb a $30k loss of income, especially if he wasn't on board with it. That's not a knock, it's just who I am. And because of that, I wouldn't accept it from my spouse....which again, is why I will probably never marry again or at least never combine finances...don't be looking to me as a sugar momma, dammit
Each marriage is different and what each person thinks is acceptable in their marriage is different....I only speak of what will work for me
That's true, every situation is different. In some ways it is easier being single. I could most definitely make my budget work on $30k less on my own as can tractor and his wife together and likely tractors wife on her own on $40k/year. This will not put them in dire straights and they can continue to give 20%. I would have a bigger problem supporting dead weight and that's not what's happening in this scenario. I believe tractor has also commented that they put a family friend through college. There is plenty of room in their budget and plenty of room to still give generously.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 14:08:37 GMT -5
Another huge perk. 9 hour days are the expectation where I work in a salaried position, more if it's crunch time. Nobody gets days off every other week. Is this a government job? Whatever it is that's a great job! Right, 9-10 at my job and no expectation of taking a lunch. Today I did actually come home at noon because I was feeling cruddy, I felt like I was 'getting away with something' because I undocked and powered down my computer in the middle of the day. The guilt! I had to tell myself that normal people step away from their desks at noon. And now I'm going through my afternoon round of conference calls while slouching on my couch at home. Haha, you must work with me. Same dynamic. Everyone works through lunch. It is, what it is.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 13:44:53 GMT -5
.[/quote]Yeah, I was thinking a trip to Guam with no kids? Sweet. Who cares if it's work related. [/quote] Isn't that the truth. I have been fantasizing about booking a hotel in town for the weekend so I can get a break from the 24x7x365 mom/manager/employee that is my life. I go into Mondays exhausted and into weekends exhausted.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 13:35:41 GMT -5
The people who never use sick time--when do you go for checkups? I'm rarely sick (knock on wood) but I have a dental checkup twice a year, take DD to her dental checkups twice a year and her well visit once a year, go to the gyn for my annual screening, etc. I try to schedule appointments at the beginning or end of the day, or schedule a few for the same day so I can knock them all out at once, but I still probably burn 10-15 hours a year without actually being sick. I can't imagine going years without using any sick time. I also work with a few martyrs who come in when they are contagious and disrupt the whole office. If you can't go more than 15 seconds without sounding like you're hacking up a lung, go the F home. Your work will still be here tomorrow. I work a condensed schedule. I work 9 hour shifts and get every other Monday off.
If I need to do something during a weekday, a doctor's appointment, taking my car in for an oil change ect, I usually do it on that day.
If for whatever reason I can't, I usually take travel comp.
Another huge perk. 9 hour days are the expectation where I work in a salaried position, more if it's crunch time. Nobody gets days off every other week. Is this a government job? Whatever it is that's a great job!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 13:28:15 GMT -5
I have to call attention to the fact that it is a huge perk that your company gives you comp time. I traveled extensively for past roles and would leave on a Sunday and get home on a Saturday or late Friday night. When I flew overseas, I would have to leave on a Saturday and get home on a Sunday. Never once got comp time. So maybe you don't need the mental days because you are cashing in all your comp time. Does your company force you to use them or can you work through that time? I'm not complaining, I know not everyone gets it, but I think it's fair.
If I'm expected to give up a Sunday to travel so I can start an inspection Monday I should be compensated in some way, or at least flex my schedule.
I don't abuse it though. It's largely based on the honor system since your boss doesn't know when you leave or when you arrive. So I am always honest about how much time I traveled. Travel doesn't usually match up well with specific hours, and I usually round down when reporting time, so I don't necessarily get all the travel comp I otherwise could.
You lose travel comp after one year from the date you traveled if you don't take it. It's not really tracked so you either have to track it yourself or otherwise try to guesstimate when it expires. I usually do the later.
In general, I try to take travel comp in the first 2/3 of the year so I use it up and take any remaining annual leave balance toward the end of the year if I need to, since we can only bank 240 hours and I try to have the max transferred over every year. It's easier to "plan" to run your annual leave down to 240 hours at the end of the year than it is try to track all your travel comp.
And that's great. It just seems a little like you're judging people for their mental health days when you are averaging 1 extra day off per month to decompress. Comp time is not a given for travel jobs. It wasnt for me. I was just glad I could rack up some airline miles and hotel points. I could mentally decompress on the plane and in my quiet hotel room .
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 13:22:34 GMT -5
The people who never use sick time--when do you go for checkups? I'm rarely sick (knock on wood) but I have a dental checkup twice a year, take DD to her dental checkups twice a year and her well visit once a year, go to the gyn for my annual screening, etc. I try to schedule appointments at the beginning or end of the day, or schedule a few for the same day so I can knock them all out at once, but I still probably burn 10-15 hours a year without actually being sick. I can't imagine going years without using any sick time. I also work with a few martyrs who come in when they are contagious and disrupt the whole office. If you can't go more than 15 seconds without sounding like you're hacking up a lung, go the F home. Your work will still be here tomorrow. My typical work day is 9-10 hours (exempt salaried job). I just make up the 90 mins of work I missed or actually work a regular 8 hour day. No sick day needed.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 8, 2017 13:08:25 GMT -5
Not that anyone cares I'm sure, but here's my leave breakdown so far this year.
Travel Comp - used 71 hours
Annual Leave - Used 18 hours
Sick Leave - Used 0 hours.
Yes, I travel a lot outside of normal work hours. Going to Guam alone netted me close to 30 hours.
I'll be spending a lot of annual leave when I go to Europe in a couple of weeks and the end of the year is relatively slow. Therefore, November/December often end up being a leave for whatever you have left to burn during the year. I have to call attention to the fact that it is a huge perk that your company gives you comp time. I traveled extensively for past roles and would leave on a Sunday and get home on a Saturday or late Friday night. When I flew overseas, I would have to leave on a Saturday and get home on a Sunday. Never once got comp time. So maybe you don't need the mental days because you are cashing in all your comp time. Does your company force you to use them or can you work through that time?
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Aug 7, 2017 13:37:14 GMT -5
My company provides 10 use it or lose it sick days per year. I have taking exactly 2 sick days in 16 years. Maybe I am an idiot for not calling in sick all 160 days. Regardless, not everyone feels a need to just take days in a use or lose situation.
As a manager, if somebody says they need a mental health day, I take that as they are caught up and would like to take the day off and count it as a sick day. Fine with me.
|
|