Speaking of cutting out subscriptions, I just dropped Netflix. One money-drain gone! Not like I have time for movies anyway.

I've tried to do the 8-5, and then 4-6 hours of a second job on top of it.

It was hard, even as a childless person with no real responsibilities beyond making the rent. And at one point I managed to work myself into a 2-week long bronchitis-turning-into-pneumonia state. Which I worked through, until I couldn't walk out of the trailer. (Yes, I was living in a mobile home like Jaye's, only considerably less stylish.)

I get the idea of fiscal need. Really, I do. I did the above for about five years, on and off. And it literally became hazardous to my health. So I would be really hesitant to recommend this to others.

Suddenly this explains a LOT.

It really does.

I'm sitting here *laughing*, because it DOES make so. much. sense. now!

Hey, can you resend me your address? I've got some stuff here that needs to go to you.

Yes'm. Give me a minute. Gmail addy?

Aims --

First, DON'T TOUCH THAT MONEY! It may take them a month, possibly up to two to get around to taking care of that. Banks suck, and are slow.

And yeah, I hate counseling anyone to give up cable. I hate not having cable any more. But S and I just use the house antenna. It sucks, but we don't have to pay for cable. and how much are you paying?? I was checking around, thinking about possibly getting cable, and it was minimum $60 a month for crap basic that didn't get any of the channels I wanted.

Also, if it helps with the encouragement, S and I still have high-speed internet, and we're completely poor all the time, so you may not have to give that up.

Gas for two cars eats up insane amounts of money these days, but there's really no way for you two to cut back on that, I think.

Aims, I wish I could help at all.

Exactly.

As in, you're intending this to be a short-term thing?

For about a year or so, I worked 5:30 am to either noon or 2 pm at Starbucks, then 4 pm to either 10 pm or 2 am (depending on the day of the week) at a bar next door. Plus I was doing freelance writing. Fortunately I lived a few blocks away so I could go home and nap in between. No way I could do that now.

I've worked 2 jobs most of my adult life. It's only been the past couple years that I haven't. I'm used to the schedule, mostly. I just...I know that it'll make me exhausted and cranky and I won't have a lot of time with Em or Joe while I'm doing it, but I can'thelp but think that while it sucks in the short run, in the long run, it's going to be way better for my family if mommy hasn't cracked up.

Do you carry your health insurance, or does Joe?

I do until January and then we switch to his company which is better and less expensive, so we'll save some $$ that way.

can'thelp but think that while it sucks in the short run, in the long run, it's going to be way better for my family if mommy hasn't cracked up.

I would think you'd be more likely to crack up from sleep deprivation than from debt.

And also, in the long run, it's going to be way better for your baby girl if she has her mommy around, instead of off working a second job.

Which leads me to ask: if the situation is that dire, is Joe looking at a second job, too?