"Debtor could reasonably be expected to reduce living expenses"

[AZNoName]

Aside from the before and after school day care for my kids, I pay 175/month to send my son to full-day kindergarden (half-day is free, full day is not). My son is on the young end of a kindergardnen and I felt that he needed full-day attention. I hear that the trustee may have issues with this. Even so, I will continue to pay the tuition, but I know that I will need to compromise or otherwise cut back in the other areas of my budget to accommodate for it.

[Exployer1234]

Oh I agree it is hard to find jobs straight out of school. The only difference is I waited later in life to go back to school. After close to 20 years in the business world the company I worked for closed in 2008 due to the economy. I was already back in school, but could not find a job. That is what led me to the Pre-K job. I have already been told by many principles that when I graduate call them. They want me to come work for them, and continue after I graduate and start my masters program so they can (groom) me for the principle program. Not sure if I really want to go that route, but I have been told since I have so much upper management work that I will not have a choice when the school board gets ahold of my work experience.

Please let us know what happens with your BK. I wish you the best of luck and I hope the judge understands that you are willing to do without to provide for her.

[alorth]

That is crazy! I guess I am not in a giant city and it makes a difference. Average childcare for an after school program cost about 60 per week. Normal pre-k programs range anywhere from 100-200 per week for full day care, plus the pre-K program.

I will say this I will be graduating this next year with my BS degree in Secondary Education. My plan is to teach in a Title 1 ( low poverty school). I do see the biggest need for teachers in these schools. I have spent a lot of time observing and helping in these classes in the lower income schools for my education classes. Yes the students can be disrespectful, but they deserve to have a teacher who is willing to teach them. If I can change one students life then I have done my job.

Exployer, it is extremely admirable what you plan to do.

I have an Aunt who has taught in a very poverty-stricken district in special education (in a High School) for nearly her whole career, and she is one year from retirement. Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a near-riot in her school that literally made regional news broadcasts.

She is counting the days until she gets out.

It can be a hard life, and disrespect from the students may be an understatement, so hopefully you are prepared for what may come.

Those kids do deserve someone who cares, as their home lives may be broken, or full of people who just don't care about them, but it leads to such a literally dangerous environment in the schools for the Teachers, and even for the students who DO want to work hard and escape.

Its a darn shame, for sure....hard telling - not if it WILL change - BUT if it CAN change!

Good luck!

(edit to say: Not to mention, its near impossible for teachers to get jobs fresh out of school in decent school districts anymore, especially with all of the budget cuts and staff downsizing)

[alorth]

Also-- and I mean this in the nicest way, alorth... you do not seem willing to make any changes in your lifestyle. That may come back to bite you somewhere along the line. My dh insisted on some similar kinds of things- especially a private school we could not afford, and expensive health insurance we could not afford. Hence our current maxed out, wiped out, broke situation.

I do not take offense, smiling, but if you only knew the changes we have already made! We went from driving 2 new, high end cars (Infiniti and Suburban) to 2 used cars each with over 50,000 miles ('09 Hyundai and '05 Chrysler). In fact, the Chysler is at 80,000 and needs tires. We sold our boat 3 years ago, seeing the storm coming. We used to pay for lawn maintenance, but I bartered a used riding mower a few years ago to take care of my acre yard myself as much as I can in my health situation.

We used to eat out so much more, go out to the movies, and I used to go out west every single year to see my family. I haven't done that in 5 years.

There is so much more.

One area I'm limiting my 'lifestyle' changes where I can, is in the care of my daughter. I grew up poor myself, and maybe that led to some of my earlier 'spendy' behaviors, but in the case of my daughter, I want her to grow up in want for nothing, but with a respect for what she has.

[IamOld]

Right - especially in Title 1 schools!!!!!!

[Exployer1234]

Yes...but alas that's where the jobs seem to be...in the "Giant" cities :-)

Sounds like you have a WONDERFUL plan - my best wishes to you!!!!!!!!!! (I know around here there are ALWAYS recruiting for licensed teachers for Title 1's...)

I better have a plan, because the cost of 4 years of college have added up. By the time I am out of school I will have 60K worth of SL debts. The only good thing is there are teacher forgiveness on SL after 10 years in my state.

[IamOld]

Yes...but alas that's where the jobs seem to be...in the "Giant" cities :-)

Sounds like you have a WONDERFUL plan - my best wishes to you!!!!!!!!!! (I know around here there are ALWAYS recruiting for licensed teachers for Title 1's...)

[Exployer1234]

That is crazy! I guess I am not in a giant city and it makes a difference. Average childcare for an after school program cost about 60 per week. Normal pre-k programs range anywhere from 100-200 per week for full day care, plus the pre-K program.

I will say this I will be graduating this next year with my BS degree in Secondary Education. My plan is to teach in a Title 1 ( low poverty school). I do see the biggest need for teachers in these schools. I have spent a lot of time observing and helping in these classes in the lower income schools for my education classes. Yes the students can be disrespectful, but they deserve to have a teacher who is willing to teach them. If I can change one students life then I have done my job.

[IamOld]

Although exployer, it also depends on where in the country you live - where I live AFTER school care provided by the school system - that is AFTER school runs almost $100/week.

Day care can be as much as $700-$1,000 mo - in REGULAR daycare.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I worked for a private preschool for over 3 years, and ran the same type program that the Montessori schools ran. The only difference is the price tag. There are plenty of structure programs out there that do not cost 7,200 per year. Also I can play the devil's advocate here and ask what your plans are for elementary education. If you think 600 dollars is expensive wait until you see the private school cost for elementary education. If you are going into a Chapter 13 then the judge may not allow for you to pay for a private education while you are going through BK.

Just be prepared for the judge to object.

[Exployer1234]

All I can say is that after a year and a half of my daughter in Montessori, I will defend it and the type of all-around education she is receiving to the end. I am a witness to the difference, and not just in the 'nuts and bolts' ABC's and stuff, but in attitude, and listening, and respect for others, and so much more. You may say its 'not worth it', or that its 'just taking your money', but not in my experience. And breaking it down hourly, she is spending 60 hours/month in preschool, so at $600/month (actually a little less), I'd say that $10/hr. for what she is getting out of it is a bargain. I could not provide the social development in and of itself even if I took her to the park every single day....which I pretty much do when the weather is decent.

People are entitled to their own opinions in this country, and I respect that. But you will never get me to change my opinion on Montessori after my year and a half (so far) of being involved with it. And I wasn't even the one who pushed it initially....it was my wife as she had spent many of her pre-school through elementary years in Montessori. When my daughter started, I didn't know Montessori from anything else, but now that I do, I would fight for it harder than just about anything.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I worked for a private preschool for over 3 years, and ran the same type program that the Montessori schools ran. The only difference is the price tag. There are plenty of structure programs out there that do not cost 7,200 per year. Also I can play the devil's advocate here and ask what your plans are for elementary education. If you think 600 dollars is expensive wait until you see the private school cost for elementary education. If you are going into a Chapter 13 then the judge may not allow for you to pay for a private education while you are going through BK.

Just be prepared for the judge to object.

[keepsmiling]

I was just coming here to post the same thing, as to how a judge might view your choices.
I will agree to disagree with some posters here--- I think that "dregs" come more from the home environment than the school environment. I doubt very much that you are living in a crummy school district.

I had my son in a weekly play group. It was an amazing learning and growing experience for the kiddos and parents alike, not to mention saving my sanity.

Also-- and I mean this in the nicest way, alorth... you do not seem willing to make any changes in your lifestyle. That may come back to bite you somewhere along the line. My dh insisted on some similar kinds of things- especially a private school we could not afford, and expensive health insurance we could not afford. Hence our current maxed out, wiped out, broke situation.

[momofthree]

I don't question you making it a priority to send your child to a Montessori school. Kudos to you for caring so much about her education. That said, a judge will probably see it differently. Bare minimum, you will probably be expected to drop her down to a couple days per week rather than the full 5 days. Just be prepared. And, if she has any special needs that might require this particular education (hint, hint), that would give you a better leg to stand on when you come to the table.

[AngelinaCatHub]

All I can say is that after a year and a half of my daughter in Montessori, I will defend it and the type of all-around education she is receiving to the end. I am a witness to the difference, and not just in the 'nuts and bolts' ABC's and stuff, but in attitude, and listening, and respect for others, and so much more. You may say its 'not worth it', or that its 'just taking your money', but not in my experience. And breaking it down hourly, she is spending 60 hours/month in preschool, so at $600/month (actually a little less), I'd say that $10/hr. for what she is getting out of it is a bargain. I could not provide the social development in and of itself even if I took her to the park every single day....which I pretty much do when the weather is decent.

People are entitled to their own opinions in this country, and I respect that. But you will never get me to change my opinion on Montessori after my year and a half (so far) of being involved with it. And I wasn't even the one who pushed it initially....it was my wife as she had spent many of her pre-school through elementary years in Montessori. When my daughter started, I didn't know Montessori from anything else, but now that I do, I would fight for it harder than just about anything.

You are correct about your and our opinions. That being said, it is only yours that does count. You are closer to the situation and we are only going by what you have told us. I see that this school in that it is also giving her the old fashion culture of courtesy and respect, as well as all the other stuff is worth it all. Look at the dregs we are raising now. I went to a Public School and when I did wrong, the Principles paddle was for my behind and if a note went home, my dads back of hand was next.

I recall one teacher who, when I said, can go to the bathroom, she would say "you can, but you may not". Until I figured out that little (proper) use of the English language, I held it till recces (another gone thing as someone "could" get hurt). The teaching of culture is probably worth more than the three R's put together. For me, you have my blessing on your decision. 'Hub

EDIT: Sorry I posted on the wrong machine so it went to Mrs. profile. 'Hub

[AngelinaCat]

post in error

[alorth]

Oh...and in regards to what some are saying about public schools....I agree whole-heartedly. I do not wish to have my girl in public schools....I think that's sad to say, but in this day and age, I can't help but think that way. Its part of the reason I find private schooling (aka Montessori, or other types) so important. But I do not trust myself to give my child ALL she needs as a home-schooler. Yes, I can help her with counting, and yes, we read, and practice spelling, and so forth, but there is soooo much more than that to a well-rounded education. A professional, and caring, educator in a learning-centric environment can do so much more than I can by myself. And besides, I do hope to get back into the work force eventually. I am hoping.