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Going from hourly to salary but still part time

My boss has offered me a salary of $35,000 annually with a set number of responsibilities versus hours. I will control my own schedule and will have consistent income. Even though it’s not enough to cover my bills, having the consistent income will help with my planning AND my anxiety.

There are firm weekly, monthly, and quarterly deadlines. But for the most part the work is pretty flexible. Who knew I would enjoy bookkeeping, accounts payable, payroll, and tax returns so much!?! Having worked doing this work since March, I am confident that the hours to pay ratio is fair.

And she is willing and even encouraging me to make full use of the office and resources here as I get more work. I am so grateful for her understanding.

I have had over ½ dozen interviews in the last couple of weeks and then just silence. I don’t understand it.
Not to be cocky, but I’ve rarely interviewed and not gotten an offer. And then all the reschedules…people ask for an interview and then just minutes before or even 10 minutes after the designated time, they will cancel or just not show up. It’s such a new world. And it’s not pleasant for the job hunter.

I have no idea what is coming, but I know God has a plan in all this. So I will keep rolling with it, treading water until I get back on firm ground again. (Bills are behind now, but based on my forecasting, I think I can keep my head above water…nothing should hit the 30 day mark.) *crossing my fingers and still focused on looking for more work

Read more from Hope

Looking Back One Year – September, 2021

Changes on the Work Front – January, 2018

Work and Travel – May, 2014

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.

Debit Cards for Kids

by Ashley

My twin daughters turn 11 this month and are very much in the “tween” stage of life. Too old for “little kid stuff”, but still not mature enough for some of the freedoms and privileges of older teens. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of growth in the area of financial management and I’d like to nurture this important life skill. It used to be that whenever the girls received money (as birthday gifts, etc.), they’d INSTANTLY spend it. ALL of it. Like it was burning a hole in their pocket.

We’ve had some serious financial conversations and the girls each have their own 529 college savings account. They’ve learned when they receive money to save some, spend some, and give (donate) some, and the difference between shorter-term savings versus longer-term savings.

Given these recent developments, I think it might be a good time to dip our toes into the use of kid-friendly debit cards. I looked at a couple and wanted to share my own list of comparisons and what I have decided to go with in the end:

Comparing GoHenry vs Greelight

	GoHenry	Greenlight
Monthly Fee	$4.99 for 1 child; $9.98 for up to 4 kids	$4.99 for up to 5 kids (Core) $9.98 for up to 5 kids (Max) $14.98 up to 5 kids (Infinity)
Options for Investing	No	Yes, with Max or Infinity plans
App Availability	Yes	Yes
Money Transfers	Yes - instant from parent account	Yes - instant form parent account, and possible direct deposit from child's job
Budget Breakdown	Yes - gives report on spending history	Yes - gives report on spending history
Parent Oversight	Yes - parents decide where and how much kids can spend	Yes - parents choose where kids spend and set up spending limits
Cash Rewards	No	1% on savings (Core); 1% cash back; 2% savings (Max); 1% cash back; 5% savings (Infinity)
Customizable Card	Custom Card available for $4.99	Custom Card available for $9.99
Card protection	No	Yes, for Max and Infinity plans

There are a lot of similar features, but the big differences are that Greenlight offers more options (cash back and savings rewards, in addition to investing options). The other big thing, for me, is that Greenlight offers card protection on its Max and Infinity plans.

In the end, I decided to sign up with Greenlight’s Max plan. I get my first month free, and then it will be $9.98/month after that. I am hoping this app can grow with my kids, so they can learn more about saving and wisely spending (and even investing!) while they are young and still in my care. I love that I can track all their transactions and set limits on how much they can spend and where.

If anyone else is interested in trying the app, I have a code where you can earn $30 when you sign up.

Has anyone else used a similar app to help manage kid-friendly debit cards? What were your thoughts or experiences?

Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at heart. Lover of running, blogging, and all things cheeeeese. Early 40s, married mother of twins, and working in academia. Currently working toward financial independence with the goal of (hopefully!) retiring early at 50.