Submitted by Newlawyermoney t3_ybvvsl in personalfinance
As the title states, my sons are both in the hospital with RSV. One almost died last night. I only had 3 weeks of paternity leave which are just about up. I plan to speak to HR in the morning to make a plan but want to gauge my options. I will likely be told to use FMLA and New Jersey’s NJFLA with NJ’s paid leave.
I make $12,000/m gross, approx $4,200 every two weeks after withholdings, including health insurance. I have $12k in savings, some recent credit card debt that I can balance transfer for 0% for 15 months so it’s a non-issue right now. $60k available credit.
If I use NJFLA I will qualify for the state paid leave. Unfortunately it caps at $993/week so it will not replace my pay entirely and I’ll be forced to cut corners, which is why I’m posting here.
In terms of expenses:
•I have a mortgage equaling $2760/m on a house I bought in May with my mother (5br3ba2kitchens/mother-daughter), I split taxes with her so she sends me just under $600/m so I pay roughly $2200 and my share of the utilities is around $200/m. My MIL is living with us for the next six months and she does not financially contribute but we all pitch in for her essentials.
•I have two cars, Hondas, one is $232/m and the other is $550/m, car insurance $211/m.
•Most of my healthcare is entirely covered right now but I pay $250/m for my psychiatrist.
•Groceries/food are around $700/m including a meal service for $83/week. (For my wife and I, the babies now, and my MIL).
•I pay $60/m for water jugs (mainly for my wife and the babies).
•I pay $90/m for a massage service (this is important to me).
•I pay $300/m for life insurance ($1.6mil total term policies).
•I pay $50/m for assorted streaming services.
I may have missed some but I’m fried.
Full disclosure, I watched my son almost die last night and am a wreck. Now with two boys struggling I can’t focus on work and them right now and my family needs me. Any advice is appreciated.