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An Unexpected Corporate Benefit – Computers for Kids

I received an unexpected email from our HR department a couple of weeks ago. In addition to my new company paying 1/2 of tutoring their employers kids, they were purchasing a bulk load of Dell Chromebooks and offering them to employees at cost.

The end cost was $200, divided over 4 pay periods where they took it as a payroll deduction. A phenomenal deal for a great computer for school age kids. I quickly responded and got one for Gymnast. It arrived this past week and I just have 3 more payments to make.

It should easily last through his last 2 1/2 years of high school and even into college…no promises there. But crossing my fingers!

Why didn’t I get Princess one?

I can’t remember if I shared my Christmas surprise for Princess. She has for the last couple years really wanted a Mac book. Needless to say, $1,000+ was not in my budget for a student computer. (I had planned to go in with family for her high school graduation if I could pull it off and hopefully take advantage of any education sales they have during the summer.)

BUT, my youngest brother’s company was selling their old corporate laptops…all Mac books. He let me know at Thanksgiving and graciously went to preview them when they went on sale. I gave him my deal breaking specs and he got us one.

As a result, I was able to get her an older Mac book for Christmas for $199 + $40ish for shipping. A steal if you’ve ever priced Mac books. It works wonderfully and she was shocked at Christmas! Score!

(I may have already shared that, but couldn’t remember.) But either way, both of them have solid computers for school. Their last ones were no longer working – Gymnast due to mishandling and Princess screen just stopped working.

Are We Moving to Texas?

by Beks

Life. Just when you think you have it figured out, you get a curveball.

My husband and I told our families about our plans to leave California. Of course, they all told us it was a terrible idea. Texas is hot (it’s only 4 degrees hotter on average from our current city). Texas has tons of natural disasters (ever heard of earthquakes and wildfires?!?!). We smile and tell them we are ready for our next adventure. And we are.

I’ve been looking for jobs and got some good leads, then Tuesday hit. My boss scheduled an emergency meeting late in the day. There’s a reorg. A shake-up. And I landed on top.

Despite the crazy times, I got promoted.

‘What do you think??!’ my boss asked. I stared at my computer, completely dumbfounded. I didn’t even know it was coming but there it was. ‘Um. Fantastic?’ I responded. I thanked my boss and quietly closed my laptop. My husband walked by and asked what the emergency was. When I told him, his face dropped. ‘I guess this means we’re staying in California?’ he asked. ‘I guess. For now?’ I responded.

I’d be an idiot to walk away unless I magically got a similar position somewhere else. I don’t know the pay yet. We’re still figuring out details so that may change things…again. Everything is spinning. I don’t know for sure what to do. We’re thinking of staying a year or two and then leaving. Unfortunately that’s what ALL Californians say and that’s why we never leave. There is always an excuse.

But this one is a good one.

If I can an offer in Texas for the same level, I’m taking it but I’ve stopped looking for now. I guess we’ll see where this goes. My husband is so disappointed.