Let's talk money

I made it through my third week of teaching. Yes, we here in Texas have been back in school 2 and a half, almost three, weeks. Next year, this will be the week we start due to a new state law. Thank goodness! We'll actually get a whole summer.

Some people are under the misguided notion that teachers get paid in the summer. Technically, we don't. I do get a check year round, but I only get paid a daily rate for 187 school days. That's not including the extra inservice and staff development training they tack on early and on weekends. So, I get a certain rate paid for those 187 days, but I choose to spread it out over 12 months. I have worked in a district that didn't pay except for 9 months of the year, and then, only once a month, and let me tell you, that takes some budgeting expertise!

I have been working again since August 10th, and I will finally get a paycheck on September 5th. That's wacky!

What will we do with this "newfound" money? Never fall behind on bills, for one! I want to replace our house door to the garage, get new siding, and replace the air conditioner. I figure we could do all that before next summer. But, then again, we will have one going off to college next year for which my husband and his ex did no financial planning at all, so who knows? We need to plan for the 8th grader, too. I've already started college funds for the fifth graders, thanks to my dad, God love him.

Have any of you ever heard of Dave Ramsey? If not, I suggest you listen to him on AM radio. He has a web site, but it's not nearly the same as hearing him. And if your church or community offers Financial Peace University, it's worth it! I feel much more capable of managing my money than I did before I took it. I'm no longer a slave to credit cards. I want my money to work smarter so I don't have to work harder. It' s not so much that he says anything new, that he puts it in layman's terms, and he has been in debt before, and I'm proud to say I am almost completely debt free except for the house note. His seminar is based on several Biblical principles as well. He's going to be in town in our area in October, but I think we already have plans that weekend. I'd love to see him in person rather than just on DVD or radio. He is a very humorous and dynamic speaker.