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?

if the situation is that dire, is Joe looking at a second job, too?

No. Which was my call. He offered.

And I'm not looking at this being a long term thing. Maybe just a few months to get us back on track. So that I can spend $1 on a candy bar if I want it and not feel guilty about it.

I do get it. There's no feeling so soul-sucking as trying to claw your way out of a financial hole. If a few months of struggle will do it, then it's not an unreasonable idea. Just make sure to pay close attention (and make sure Joe does) to how it's affecting you on a day-to-day level so that you can make the "not worth it" call if you need to.

The thing is, if you actually do work yourself into a health breakdown, you come back slowly. I attribute last year's pneumonia to accumulated stress; it took well over a year before I could return to a normal load, and even now I tire very easily.

Saying "if only I could sleep only 5 hours a night I could pay off our debts" is EXACTLY like saying "if only I could grow another arm, I'd be more productive." You can't sleep only 5 hours a night, even for a few months. The body WILL take revenge.

Some people naturally need < 8 hours sleep, lucky sods. The rest of us don't have a choice in the matter.

What are the possibilities of either of you getting a higher-paid job?