Military moms in Germany and anyone else that might know... whats it like? - Page 2

[dirtyhipegirl]

Originally Posted by EdnaMarie

DH just found out he'll have to send more money home than he thought. (His parents, not US residents, depend on us... but we can't list them as dependents because they don't have socials, long story.) We're going to be living on $750/mo unless I work, and presumably that's before savings. I feel sick just thinking about it. DH *eats* that much, not organic. He could eat that much white rice, I swear.

Does substitute teacher for DoD schools pay okay? Anyone know what that would be like? I'm grossly over-qualified according to the job ad and I have pref. job twice over (returned PC volunteer & spouse). Would it cover day-care?

DH is an E4, do I get free child care?

Help. Our life is going to be so bleak if I don't work. Even if I do!

Hi, I'm military wife stationed in Italy, and found this post because dh and I were considering putting in for Germany next. We have heard nothing but good things about being there. I have many friends who substitute and the DoD school here. They get paid $100 a day, and they work several times a week with different age groups. We are Air Force, so I don't know if COLA wold be the same, but we make $1000 extra dollars a month living off base. We keep our electricy bill low so we can pocket the extra cash. We have never been able to save money before we came here. The euro sucks right now, so I do a lot of online shopping usually through Amazon, they are one of the only places that ships to APO. We have friends in Garmish, and from what I've heard it is an amazing experience to be stationed there. Everyone from here drives there for vacations. Living in a different country is hard at times, but it is so worth it, ok well hope that helps a little bit.

[EdnaMarie]

Wow, thank you so much! That is so interesting that you are able to SAVE money. So you get $1,000, and then you spend how much on housing, for a total of how much?

I will have to talk to DH about that.

We have been to Garmish. It's gorgeous!

[dirtyhipegirl]

We spend 1000 euro on rent a month, that's our cap. We never see that money though, it goes straight to the landlord. Then on top of E-5 base pay and food pay we get $1400 a month for bills. But our electric bill is only $100 a month. In the winter our gas is expensive, anywhere from $300 to $700 dollars a month. But March-Nov we don't spend that much on gas, maybe $100 a month. But that's because we made the mistake of getting a house with propane tank. I know other people who don't pay that much for gas. So yeah anyway, we are able to pocket the rest of the money. It's nice. This is the first time in 7 years of marriage that we have been able to buy furniture. Anyway, good luck.

[lovebug]

wow so how do you find off post housing? we are Army so i bet this would be different?

[dirtyhipegirl]

The way they do it here is that the housing office has a listing of houses compiled for Americans. They have to meet certain requirements, like be a certain distance from the base and have a/c, and heating that works, and also be in your price range for your rank. They also have translators available to help you with signing the lease and if you need to get in touch with your landlord. Luckily, our landlord speaks English so it wasn't a problem for us.

[lovebug]

that is so cool! can you please tell us what you house is like?

[dirtyhipegirl]

Here is a not so great pic of our house
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtyhipegirl/4116341083/

and yard
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtyhipegirl/3797654730/

I don't love our house, it's 150+ years old and not heat efficient at all. We picked the first house we saw because we were so ready to finally be settled. But it's a lot better than the house we had in Texas, and Las Vegas.

[lovebug]

wow that is great! thank you for posting pics!