Hot dogs and ramen,summer budget

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This is my first summer off as a school nurse. Any tips on budgeting for the summer? Think I'll have to hide most of that money from my husband because he will think he needs to spend it! If there is x amount in the bank, he thinks that is x amount to spend. Doesn't think about bills, groceries, etc.

Specializes in MedSurg,HomeHealth, School, Clinic Mgmt,.

I always worked agency during the summer, only 1-2 days a week, but it sure helped with our budget. Don't know if that is something you are interested in or is even possible for you. Beyond that we mostly stopped going out to eat so much. When the kids were younger I took advantage of "free" days at the museum, family days at the movies (halfprice) and also dollar movies. We also had one theatre that also offered summer movie sales...prepay and get a movie every week for 50cents instead of a dollar but these are all children's movies. These were great when my kids were small. We always joined the summer programs at the library and the local community center. They had really low cost and sometimes completely free programs for kids up to high school age. If you have one, check out your YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs. If you are looking for activities just for you most of these still apply. When you are not working it sure is nice to learn something new. One summer my husband and I took Merengue at the community center - not normally affordable if we were to go to a dance school , but great fun when it only costs 20 bucks for the 3 month class!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Wow...thanks for the few helpful ideas and I will not be responding to the comments about my marriage, thanks:no:

What happens when general AN comes in. Those comments made me wince, and it didn't involve me. Sorry you had to deal with those. Just came off a rough patch in terms of income, best advice was already given, don't eat out. You have a lot of time to shop the sales, super couponing, etc. You would be amazed how resourceful you can be and where you waste most money. Check your local events for freebies or get a rich, benevolent friend. Good luck.

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma Critical Care.

People can sometimes be a little EXTREME. Have you ever set up a household budget with your husband? My husband used to be a spender. He would just buy a bunch of little things and not realize they all add up, also why you need to go to the convenience store twice a day for trail mix will always confuse me. It was hard on our marriage, we could have separated out our bank accounts but I would rather be corrected and learn from my mistakes, as would he. Instead we set up a budget together so we were both aware and involved in our finances. We now use part of the Dave Ramsey cash method (all spending money gets taken out in cash each pay period) and it WORKS. We both now are way better at sticking to the budget and we started buying our trail mix in bulk from Costco. Win-win!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I am pretty new to the School Nursing forum threads, so forgive me for not knowing if the regulars here are RNs or if there are any of us LVNs mixed in as well. As an LVN I don't get paid during summer unless I work. But I know the District Nurse and teachers usually have the option of having money saved from their checks throughout the year to help through the summer months off.

My plan was to work in home health through the summer but now thankfully I wont have to because this summer I found a job as a camp nurse! I am so excited! I've worked as a school LVN for 2 years but this is my first year trying camp :)

Maybe a part time job is a good idea? And next school year, a savings account with a little bit of secret money from each check! Even just $100/month would add up over the 10 months to help a bit for summer!

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Specializes in kids.
I am pretty new to the School Nursing forum threads, so forgive me for not knowing if the regulars here are RNs or if there are any of us LVNs mixed in as well. As an LVN I don't get paid during summer unless I work. But I know the District Nurse and teachers usually have the option of having money saved from their checks throughout the year to help through the summer months off.

My plan was to work in home health through the summer but now thankfully I wont have to because this summer I found a job as a camp nurse! I am so excited! I've worked as a school LVN for 2 years but this is my first year trying camp :)

Maybe a part time job is a good idea? And next school year, a savings account with a little bit of secret money from each check! Even just $100/month would add up over the 10 months to help a bit for summer!

Ask the district of they will do that for you as well? The most they can do is say no. Then I would open a savings and have the money auto deposited.

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I know quite a few RNs who had non-RN jobs in summer. One loves working with kids so she organizes summer camps for the Y every year. She says it refreshes her and gives her "fun time" where she can focus on things like what field trips to plan! Another RN I know tutors in the summer/a little in the school year. She advertises at the community college summer intensive courses like physio and anatomy. ppl who need help with nursing pre-reqs love getting help from nurses!

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I am pretty new to the School Nursing forum threads, so forgive me for not knowing if the regulars here are RNs or if there are any of us LVNs mixed in as well. As an LVN I don't get paid during summer unless I work. But I know the District Nurse and teachers usually have the option of having money saved from their checks throughout the year to help through the summer months off.

My plan was to work in home health through the summer but now thankfully I wont have to because this summer I found a job as a camp nurse! I am so excited! I've worked as a school LVN for 2 years but this is my first year trying camp :)

Maybe a part time job is a good idea? And next school year, a savings account with a little bit of secret money from each check! Even just $100/month would add up over the 10 months to help a bit for summer!

Welcome!

Most of us are RNs, but there are a few LPNs peppered throughout.

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Specializes in School nursing.
I know quite a few RNs who had non-RN jobs in summer. One loves working with kids so she organizes summer camps for the Y every year. She says it refreshes her and gives her "fun time" where she can focus on things like what field trips to plan! Another RN I know tutors in the summer/a little in the school year. She advertises at the community college summer intensive courses like physio and anatomy. ppl who need help with nursing pre-reqs love getting help from nurses!

I'm working two different theater summer camps - not as a nurse, but as technical director of the camp. I am very active in the community theater scene outside of work. It's a nice break.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I also babysit as much as I can and am fiendishly looking for a per diem job.

Had an interview yesterday for a PRN job at a hospital in town. I think it went well! The nursing staff has a 90% retention rate too so it sounds like people are pretty happy there. We will see!

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