Totally depends on where you work...I buy stuff for my class that I don't get reimbursed for because our dept. never has any money, but I have heard of districts where they actually reimburse you...not in California though. =)

Same here...I pay it all out of pocket. I coach 2 sports and pay for some of that out of pocket (refills for the 1st aid kit, some new cones, etc.) It all adds up after awhile. Some stuff can be written off on your taxes though. I am not sure if it is a federal or a state credit, but here in NC teachers get a $250....but that hardly touches what some spend.

I have a 401K and another fund I just started up this past year (I forgot what it is called, 453B maybe?) If the state would pay me more, I could save more! :mad: oh well, guess I knew that going into this gig.

Argh... so I get med insurance at my work now. But since I'm not a healthy employee, I need to get the SUPER Delux med insurance plan... that takes $66 out of my pay checks pre tax each month. And then I gotta get a dental plan...

I'm not gonna have any cash from a $13.75/hr paycheck ya'll... at least not after rent, groceries, bills...

Basically, I have an account that waives all fees if my monthly balance is over $1,500. When I've reached that point, I have the extra deposited into my savings.

I'm going to Thailand and Cambodia over Winter Break, so I stepped up the savings so it wouldn't interfere with my normal lifestyle.

Daaaaaamn... At my school it is only $50 per teacher for out-of-pocket classroom stuff.

You can buy other stuff from team money or department money, but you wouldn't be able to keep it if you left the school.

I have a library slush fund that I can get reimbursement from, but that's separate from the district money for books/supplies/subscriptions... More like when I'm at Borders on teacher sale weekend and pick up books for the library that the kids have requested.

ETA: I think if you buy a huuuuuuge amount of stuff and aren't reimbursed, you may be able to deduct it if you itemize your taxes, but it's multiple hundreds of dollars before you can start deducting. Dunno if it's still in the tax laws, thpugh-- I've never had enough to qualify in years past.

I usually put between $300-$500 in a month into a savings and have it in a money market.

OMG I so needed this thread!

I don't get paid enough! I sat down now that I have 4 paychecks and layed out my budget and guess what...I can save a whole $600/year. I feel like I had more money as a college student *lol* Needless to say the soultion is to get a better job, mine is very entry level, so it shouldn't be too hard.

Anyone need a new grad in the Detroit Area? ;)

What was your major?