First of all I wanted to send a special thanks to all my supporters out there! Whether you have donated for the calculator cause, or just have given me words of wisdom or been a cheerleader since I began this job, thank you. It means the world to me, and knowing that I have support really makes each day better and brighter.
I'd be lying if I said my entire life revolves around the teacher world. Although it sucks up 70% of my daily life, the other 30% is learning how to deal with a job that is so mentally and physically demanding. This is my first career with a salary where I can actually afford...or try to afford paying my bills. It's my first job I have had with a regular schedule since I have been married - well since I moved to Philadelphia and lived with Andy. I think it's important for all those theachers out there to know that your job will invade every aspect of your life. I come home talking about my students. I have nightmares about my students. Sometimes I dream up awesome ways to teach my students, but really it is a 24/7 job. But without the support of parents, loved ones, friends, colleagues, etc, it's diffidult to wake up in the morning and say "I can do it."
I got this job one week after my Mom left for a month and a half long vacation. Yes she has been enjoying herself in Italy - a well deserved birthday present to herself, but I haven't realized how much I relied on her intelligence, wit and comfort to get me through the hard times. Growing up, my Mom has been the one to rub my back when I was sick. She let me cry myself to sleep in her lap when I was heartbroken. She yelled at me when I said, "I give up," and had to get back on track. She cried when I succeeded through college and graduate school.
I am the type of person where I bottle my emotions and say I am fine, and the next moment the smallest thing will set me off. It takes that one string to break me. And when I do I crumble. I always try to put that confident front about how successful I am trying to be, and how hard working I am, but if something is slightly off, it affects everything.
Learning how to save, spend and handle my paychecks has been an experience in itself. A life experience...since this salary thing is new to me. It's not easy. Trying to pinch every dime I can, paying for car repairs that were never budgeted for, and buying supplies the school cannot afford to give you, is a daunting task. For one in my life I have been serious about my money. No more using book money my parents gave me in college for the killer designer shoe sale at Bob Ellis Shoes that came up twice a year in Charleston, South Carolina. Or taking my tip money from Main Line Grill and playing the stock market (although my investments have been treating me nicely). But making sure the electricity stays on. The car insurance is paid. We are eating healthy - no more Cup O' Noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rent is paid. Gas in the car so we can get to work.
My advice to you. When someone offers you a starting salary in the low $40k's take the time to sort out a budget. Because if you are working in Philadelphia, 36% of your salary goes to taxes. So all of a sudden that $3,200 a month you are making is now $2,000. Make sure you take time to plan out your life. The 30% that you are not working is what holds your world together. That's where the support from others comes in. The 2 hours a night you have with your husband before taking a bath and hitting the sack for the next day. Enjoy your Saturday and Sunday's. If you catch up on sleep, so be it. Sometimes that's what life needs. If you have that extra $14, go get a manicure. When you feel better about yourself, your well-being and the order of your life, your job will be less stressful.
My Mom comes home on Wednesday. I have been counting down the days for the last 2 weeks because all I need is that person to talk to. Mom's have that magical power about them. I know Andy wishes I could talk to him the way I talk to her, but he's not 35 years older than I am. He doesn't have that life experience she has. When that time comes we will have had the experience together, but until then a Mother's love. Her generosity. Her support. Her wisdom. Her spice of life. That's what I need.
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