I was offered an auxiliary class, meaning I would only get my conference period half the time, and the other half I would teach a class during what would normally be my conference. The days I don't have a conference I would earn my hourly rate for the 90 minutes of teaching I'd do. Because the school is a block schedule, that means I'd have a 90 minute conference period two days a week and a 45 minute conference every other week. I did the math, and accounting for taxes I think I'd make approximately $500 more per month (on months without long breaks, like Christmas, etc.).
While the money is good, I think I'm going to pass. In part because I will be doing yearbook at the high school level for the first time (which is a lot of work), and because while the money would be great, I don't think it's worth the insanity of not having a conference period every day.
I think this is marking a transition in my PF journey. If I still had my credit cards or my car to pay off, I would have taken it for sure. But, now that I don't have either of those hanging over me, I don't feel like I have to do this. I could, and it's still on the table...they don't need an answer until the end of next month, but I don't have to do it anymore. I have the freedom to say "no thanks." Which is a pretty amazing feeling, no matter what decision I make.
Would you take the extra class? Have you reached a point where paying off debt has given you more freedom?
If I didn't have my debt, I would still take the extra class to add the funds to my savings. Being that I have debt, I would not turn down the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on leaning towards turning this down, Jess =) There are two things I've said I will NOT do unless I absolutely have to: teach summer school and teach on my prep. Generally I LOVE being at work, and I'd like to keep it that way. I think a prep period and summer break help keep me sane, help me love kids better when I'm with them, and help me TRY to have a life outside of grading. Unless it were absolutely financially necessary, I'm not willing to give up any of that for more money.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I LOVE how you constantly think so intentionally about how you earn/spend money - it inspires me to think about it more, too =)
I like how Charissa put it, that the breaks help her love her kids better when she's with them. Don't sell your serenity!
ReplyDeleteI am with you. Now that my debt load is lighter I have become more selective of the opportunities to make extra money.
ReplyDelete:) I love reading about how freeing it is to not be weighed down.
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