Author: Olivia

I just started a new job and signing up for healthcare has just sent me into outer space. I'm pay $1014 a month for my family for basic insurance. There's a $6000 in-network deductible on top of that. I also signed up for hospital, injury and cancer insurance which adds another $60/month to that total. My sister was recently diagnosed with a serious cancer causing gene mutation and I'm hedging my bets in case I have it to. If I do I will need major surgery soon and will be in the hospital for 5 days and recovering for quite some time, so the extras felt needed, not “just in case”. I'm putting $400 a month in an HSA to help cover the cost of the deductible because nothing is paid for until I reach it. Guys I have a “good” job. I make $110k, and I feel completely drowned…

My gf and I are having our first baby and we are more than excited! With the company’s built in Paternity Leave in their handbook (grateful there’s even any) and saved up PTO I would have 4 weeks. Yet, I am also going to utilize the CA Paid Family leave state program for 4 more weeks (I know I could utilize this program for more time yet I can’t go that long with only 60%-70% of my pay). Anyways, after I told my supervisor I’d be out for a total of 8 weeks she commented that that’s “kind of a long Paternity Leave”. I don’t believe this “kind of long” at all! Am I the crazy one here? Appreciate your thoughts!