How much $$ to save......

[Ms_Delacruz]

Hello ALL.. I am really new here and I think this question is very early to ask, But I really think I need some feed back on this considering that we are about to turn in our I 130.. and for my peace of mind I want to be more financially aware of the process....

I've been reading alot of your stories and journey, and I too get very teary eyed... Im just so happy for all you that are at the end of your journey. I've read all the time spent flyinmg back and forth to see your hubby/or wifey... and the exam fee's.. etc.... Should I start savinf as of now.. or whats the rough estimate it will cost us once we're in the final stages. My queation is also tied into my current job. As I am very entry level in the leagl field, my pay checks are really not cutting it these days. As I had mentioned before to some ladies here, we have 2 girls who we have to pay Daycare for, and belive me, that eats away at my checks.

Now I am not sure how this process will turn out for me and my hubby, our lawyer has confirmed that he will only be out of the country for no more than 1 month, since she feels we are good candidates for the Pilot Prgram. I dont know if I should completely take her word for it, as I will be very unhappy if his stay is extended, and if that should happen, it will disrupt our lives tremndously, I highly doubt I will be able to live where I lve now on just my income until he returns home.

So any feed back on how to cope with things and be prepared financially for the lonmg road ahead of us will be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot ladies:innocent::shy:

Michelle

[Paul & Kerri]

Will your husband have to file an I-601 waiver? I don't know much about the Pilot Program, but "no more than 1 month" doesn't sound right. I would think it would be longer than that. Also, from a personal experience, our lawyer said our case would be done by the end of the summer. Well yeah it was, but she failed to mention that it would be this summer and not last summer. So in my case, I don't believe a word my lawyer says. If you can manage to start saving now (even $5 - 20 each paycheck) will help in the long run. If you hire a lawyer, you can expect to pay thousands and not to mention all the fee increases from the government. I wish you the best of luck!

Kerri

[cherrycandy001]

Through the pilot program I left to Mexico on June 10th, I had my medical done on June 11th, 1st interview on June 13th, Infopass June 14th..and I walked out with my visa...I was out of the country for 4 days :).

As far as money, Personally I would say save atleast 3000-4000 I know I did, and we didn't pay lawyer fee's. You want to have money in order to take as "back up" money in case something unexpected comes about. Not to mention on July 30th fee's went up.

[IBMMuseum]

To maintain two households (my wife was laid off when her employer knew she would leave Mexico eventually) on one salary for several months, then to be awaiting work authorization for most likely a few months (at one salary again), all while having to submit Affidavits of Support for a family of five and pay increased immigration fees to the same bureaucracy that puts us in that situation?

Oh, and they also want me to be separate from my family for another length of time on a deployment for them when they took so long to unify the family in the United States?

Cut back on the 401(k) as much as you can to keep it barely afloat. Save at everything you do, scrape by to save as much as possible, live within your means. You have to plan for the expenses that will be coming soon, not for that far-off retirement.

But you knew already that having everyone together in one place, with no troubles, is worth the price you pay...

[Ms_Delacruz]

Thanks so much for all your relies