Comments on: Wanted: SAHM Helpful Hints

By: Mommy off the Record

Mommy off the Record — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:48:58 +0000

I’m a mix btw a SAHM and a working mom. I work 3 days a week and stay home the rest of the time. I know these situations are hard to come by but it’s really ideal if you can do it. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to stay home completely, nor would I really have wanted to, but with the PT job I feel that I can stay in the work world, have that outlet and a paycheck, and still get a lot of time home with my son. I know it’s hard to fine PT, but that might be something to consider.

We’ve also refinanced our home loans, student loans, and don’t have any car payments to make it easier.

I wish you much luck figuring it out. I know it’s stressful.

By: becca

becca — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:48:45 +0000

Without leaving a huge response. There is noting better then being home with your kids, You will have bad days like most people do at work, but it is so worth it. If you can get by finanically.. do it. You will always regret it if you dont try. You may be able to find ways to make money on the side, that can help with costs. Money for daycare and gas and food and work clothes, would be in your pocket also. You really can make the money last. Maybe get a side job, candle lite, make jewlery and sell it, become a notary, open a day care with one more child…

By: James

James — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:39:58 +0000

Let me speak as a stay at home Dad. My wife and I tried working and having kids come home from school. It does not work very well. Obviously, the income question is huge, and my wife and I are not big on handling change. When you analyze your expenses and decide where you can cut back, you will probably be surprised at the result. We were able to do more with a lot less once I was at home and doing some serious budgeting. The rewards for doing less and affording less and watching pennies is that my kids were no longer latch-key kids. The other thing to consider is that if you use your imagination you can probably figure out a way to make some extra money working from the house. I have been able to do consulting myself, and as a result, when I get back into the work-force at some point, my resume will be continuous.

By: InTheFastLane

InTheFastLane — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:50:31 +0000

I was a SAHM mom for 5 years and I have to say that we were in a lot of debt. One teacher salary does not make it very far. It seems like we are just now digging ourselves out of that holw now that I have been working for almost three years. I would say that your goal would definatly be to get you finances in order the best you can - or at least have a plan. But, daycare is expensive. Luckily ours is free - Grandma. But how much of your current income is going towards daycare?

By: Kate O'Brien

Kate O'Brien — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:49:57 +0000

I forgot about the babysitting! I babysat for a teacher at the older kids school for 2 years. It was a wonderful experience and I made good money! I totally left out the ways I have added to our income in my original comment! You know I also sell Stampin’ Up products too. So I guess these past few years I have been a part time WAHM. I can’t wait though until the kids are all school aged and I can work outside the home again. Only 3 years left! I’m counting! I so miss social interaction with other adults.

By: Anonymous Purple Car

Anonymous Purple Car — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:57:09 +0000

Have you thought about staying home with Dawson and maybe taking on a child or two in your own home? Or a part time job in the evening a couple days a week?? Then you could be home with Dawson during the day and he could be with Doug in the evening and then of course your family nights where you are all home at the same time. I loved being home with Kaitlyn before she started school - I was doing my parties at night and therefore I got my away time too! Which was awesome!! I love my daughter with everything I have, yet you need “sanity” time too!! My husband would take care of Kaitlyn in the evening or my mother in law would babysit a few hours when need be. Or depending on where my party was I would drop her off by my parents when I was going to a party and pick her up on the way home.

Now Kaitlyn is in school and I get her up in the morning and ready for school and she rides the bus to the shop by Bill when I have my parties or am waitressing. When I am home and it is family night she is excited to ride the bus home. We adjusted our lives accordingly to make things work for us.

Good Luck!!

By: clair

clair — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 03:01:00 +0000

Finance is definitely a big consideration but I think you also need to think about how you personally feel about staying home. Like missing the social interactions, the adult conversations. That’s why I took up a part-time job just so I can get out of the house for a few hours a week. Having said all this, you could always work from home and make some money from there. Good luck with with your decision

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:55:18 +0000

Thanks ladies!! These tips and thoughts mean so much to me. Doug and I are working on a “game plan” as he wants to call it. Basically, I may need to work a year longer, just until my car is paid off. We’re going to see a financial adviser after the New Year. It makes no sense to quit now with those damn Holidays approaching!

By: Kate O'Brien

Kate O'Brien — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:28:03 +0000

You’re right mothergoose about the coupons! LOL! I have often clipped coupons and bought items I would have normally never have purchased if there had not been a coupon!

By: mothergoosemouse

mothergoosemouse — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:03:24 +0000

I’ve been a WOHM - both with a job I loved and a job I tolerated - and a SAHM. I preferred being a WOHM with a job I loved, but this SAHM gig is great too.

I would take a look at your balance sheet, especially with respect to paying off debt and saving for the future (i.e., instead of shelling out money for daycare, putting a portion of it toward debt payoff and a portion toward savings). It just may payoff.

And I totally dig coupon clipping. It really can make a difference, IF you were going to buy the items anyway.