What will YOU do with your first "real" paycheck!?

AppyHorseFan · Jul 19, 2004

wow!! there are lots of ideas here!! and while i'd like to do many of them, my intention is to do the following (not necessarily in any particular order):

put the majority of my sign-on bonus in a savings account

make sure that i'm signed up for retirement savings at work and put some in for that each check

start putting money back (in my "stash") for a disney world vacation for the kids next summer

pay my monthly bills on time!!! :rotfl:

buy my children 1 item that they really want with no $5 or $10 limit on it

then take my parents out to eat @ a restaurant of their choice

then who knows, maybe get a massage, new hairdo, or something along those lines

put money in my kids' savings for their college

and think about what i'm going to do for my son a vehicle (he'll be driving in just a couple of years)

i'll just have to wait and see what the future holds

rpbear · Jul 19, 2004

This is a great thread.

I am a December grad with my first job as an RN. I didn't do it with my first check, but I bought my hubby a honda 4-wheeler, it is somehting he had always wanted. So to say thanks for putting up with me for 3 years while I was in school he now gets sundays to go ride his new 4 wheeler. Also, without me knowing he bought me a hot tub for working my but off for 3 years. That is something I have always wanted! The rest has gone to pay bills and rebuild our savings account that got sucked up by emergencies while I was not working.

lunakat · Jul 19, 2004

First I am gonna send my parents on vacation since they are helping to support me while I am in school. Then I am going to take my 3 year old godchild out and buy him a drum set. :rotfl: Then I am moving in with my best friend and her son (my godchild) and helping to support her while she goes through the RN program (she is currently getting LVN license). After that... Who knows!

DZcarrie · Jul 19, 2004

these are great ideas! keep em comin!

motivation....motivation! :)

mavnurse · Jul 19, 2004

I'm heading straight to Chanel to buy a quilted chain strap bag and maybe some earrings.

Keep in mind, however, that this is in two years. I may have different priorities by then.

cnelle101 · Jul 19, 2004

This might be a totally different board but, what's the difference between a cna and a medical assistant? Is one higher in ranks then the other? Do they fet paid different? Just wondering. :rolleyes:

SanFranSRNA · Jul 19, 2004

My first "real" pay check will be going to my mother. She helped me thoughout my program.

alexillytom · Jul 19, 2004

With my first real paycheck, I am taking my kids on a shopping spree at Toys-R-Us. I told them that they can pick out anything they want. My kids are great and have been extremely understanding. They more than deserve it.

Then, mommy and daddy are going to have a night out. We are going to have stuffed mushrooms and french onion soup for appetizers. Then a wonderful salad. Followed by stuffed lobster tail. Ending with strawberry crepes and coffee.

Finally, I am going to buy myself an outfit that isn't on the clearance rack. I am going to get matching shoes, purse, and jewelry. This is something I haven't done since 1996.

chattypattyCRNA2B · Jul 19, 2004

I'm with you Matt..I plan on taking $200 dollars out of my first check to live off of for the next two weeks(that's what I live off now)..give some to the student loan people(currently paying them 75/month)..and put the rest into a savings account for my future home(which I plan on having built,hopefully on a lake). Thank God I have my mom's nursing paychecks from work on my wall to keep me motiviated. She has an ADN and cleared $120,000 last year. Motivation!! Motivation!!!!

120,000!!!!!! Are you kidding! That's awesome. Does she live in Georgia too? Is she a traveling nurse or is that overtime included.....and if so, how much overtime is she averaging?

NurseBunky · Jul 19, 2004

She doesnt travel and yes some of that is overtime. She's on the weekend plan here in Ga so she's only required to work Sat and Sun 7a to 7p but whatever days she does after those two days she gets time and a half and a third. I think she says it's considered call pay. She basically works when she wants to. She makes about $600/day on the plan she's on. The shortage is pretty bad here. Certain hospital even recurit nurses from Alabama, North and South Carolina to come work here during the week and they are given gas money, a food allowance, free room and board. My mom has been a NICU nurse for about 15 years though and her normal pay is $30/hr. She loves what she does and I guess with her coming home and talking about her job so much she has gotten me interested in doing it too. I think she said starting pay at the hospital she works at for new grads is $18/hr but if I do the weekend plan I could make alot more. I can't wait to finish nursing school. It's going to be nice having a live in tutor.:)

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 19, 2004

Hey all!!

I have to agree with what one of the above posters said. Really admire that paycheck and photocopy it! Before you tear off the actual check with all the info on there about how much you worked, what you got paid; some paystubs even have your title on it. It's great to have that little reminder hanging around that it has all finally paid off! Better than a diploma on the wall anyday for me!

:)

Marnaby · Jul 19, 2004

I got my first "real" paycheck three months ago. My husband and I went out to dinner and just relaxed. I didn't go all out like I wanted to because I needed to save money!