Needing to Work but Can't Afford To....

The only way my husband and I have been able to do it is to work opposite shifts until our kids go to school. Like you guys, it would be pointless for me to work at the same time as my husband b/c childcare would take nearly my whole income. Since my husband and I are both going to be teachers (he already is) I have had to put my career on hold a few years but it will be worth it to me. The obvious downside is less time w/your husband but my husband and I make sure to make time for each other whenever possible and have date nights a couple times a month. Good luck!

I dont know how we do it, My husband and I both work full time, our children are 12, 5, and 1 1/2 we currently pay $860.00 per month just for the two.. the 12 yr old goes to sports after school but I think you should at least look into after school care for the 4/12 yr old once he goes to Kinder. some schools offer after school care for kids with homework help for 20.00 per year. That will cut some of the cost, were taking the 5 yr old out of private school and putting him in a public school and enrolling him in a afterschool program to cut our expense in half.

Hey C.!

This is a great company to work with out of your home. My sister in law has been able to quit her job as a teacher to stay home with her baby boy now because her and my brother work as independant representatives. They have also met some wonderful other couples with children that watch the baby for them when they do want a night out. Check out their website and feel free to contact them to ask any questions. They live in California and cost of living is crazy there...this company has made their dreams come true though. Check it out like I said. It might be perfect for you. Take Care!

http://www.morrison.acnrep.com/d_index.asp?CO_LA=US_EN

S. :)

Hi C.,
maybe you can look at other ways to make an income but stay home with your kids too? I did it with Jockey - there are lots of different direct sales companies, maybe one will interest you. It can be a good way to earn an income. What is great is you work at home with your kids right there. If you do need to out one evening to do a party, you husband can watch the kids while you are gone for 2 hours. You can look at my website to give you an idea... www.bayareajockey.com not trying to sell you on my business, just want you see that stuff like this exists and can work. If you have any other questions, email me anytime. ____@____.com

Check out my website, http://kellyis.stayinhomeandlovinit.com. I wanted to stay home with my baby, and I found this amazing opportunity just a few months ago. It's fun, it's rewarding and I love sharing it with everyone I know. I'm proud of what I do and would love to help you. We can get you started right away - almost no start up cost and completely RISK FREE.

Hey! I am a stay at home of a 2 year old and 10 month old twins! I can totally relate to balancing work with family time and childcare expenses! I work from home and absolutely LOVE my job. Best of all i can spend all the time i want with my family while creating a healthier, safer environment. I can help you work from home, even if it's along side your other job for a while..it's a great way to supplement income or completely replace it! Just check out my website for more info...you can email me there too. www.themomteam.com/amaus

Its unfortunate that this post became many ads for direct to sales businesses...

I would say research childcare options that may be more affordable... But, of course, your child's care is the last thing to compromise on.

Second, even if you are just breaking even by working, if you need the work (socially, intellectually, etc) and can afford to break even, its totally worth it. As women, as people, we don't just work to make money (hopefully) but also to give us a sense of self worth and to create better rounded people. Still, if you need financial incentives, remember that child care will get less expensive as your children age while your salary will hopefully increase the longer you are at your job. In this case, the time that you are putting in now is investment.

Hi C.,

It's so hard to find the right balance between work and home and childcare. I know you have a lot of different responses here and I don't want to overwhelm you. I've been a stay at home Mom for more than three years. I searched and searched for the right business to do from home. I was scammed a few times too. Blah! I finally found a company that is making a big difference for us. Their business building system really works! The support is amazing! I'm really excited about it.

I'm not a pushy sales lady. I would love to share this with you if you are interested or just curious. You can send me a note here or you can check out my website.

Good luck to you!
~C. Smith
www.enhanceyourwayoflife.com

Hi C.,

I used to have a corporate job but when I became a mom and figured out the cost of day care vs. my income it just didn't make sense to me.

I stayed at home for 5 years and just about went crazy because I gave up my identity for cooking, cleaning, laundry, play dates, and the preschool PTA.

Like many women, I decided to start a Direct Sales business from my home. (I never dreamed I would ever do that but it was exactly what I needed!) Direct sales is a lot different these days than it used to be.

I LOVE what I do! I am away from my family just a few times a month. (I love them but I am very happy to get away sometimes!)

The trick is to find one that you can be passionate about that has a SOLID BUSINESS PLAN that is designed to enrich peoples lives not the companies bottom line.

There are a few good companies out there. I have chosen a company that offers high quality affordable jewelry. We earn 50% of whatever we sell (that's HUGE!) and a commission on our downline. Plus we are not required to carry any inventory.

If you are going to look into direct sales as an option, make sure it is a company and a product that you are passionate about and that the profit margin is high enough to make it worth your while.

I hope I helped in some way and if you'd be interested in learning about my company, I would love for you to contact me.

Good luck!

S. (____@____.com)

C.,
I never could afford to pay for child care and work full-time. So, I had to look for alternative sources of income. That is when I stumbled upon working for home. I would love to share the opportunity that was presented to me only a few months ago. I love this company and I think you will too.
Please send me a message and we will schedule a time to meet.
The company teaches and trains for free and the support is endless. You will own your own company and be your own boss. You set your own hours and in a short time (some people) have financial freedom as the reward. This could be you.
There is no obligation to talk about the opportunity. You need to decide what is right for your family. My job is to get you the information you need to make the best possible decision.
Send me a message.
K.

Hi there. I work full time and so does my husband. I'm an office manager and my husband is a photographer and videographer. We have two sons - ages 3 & 2. My husband works out of the house and I go into an office from 7-4 mon - fri. It certainly isn't what we had wanted (I wanted to be a stay at home mom) but life sometimes throws us curves. If you have to work I would look for something that you can do from home (whether it be start your own company or sellign) or look for a company that offers telecommuting. The good news is that many companies today realize that mom's want to be at home with their kids and/or can't afford child care. Also, a lot of companies now also provide child care for their employees. check into those as well. As for my family, we couldn't afford child care either. My entire check would just be for child care. So, my husband is able to set up his office from the house and get some work done during the day but most of his work gets done after i get home. We do send the kids to the sitter about once a week just so that dad does have some time to get work done & won't get too far behind. :) That's more feasable. Or, look for a job that would require you to work when your husband would be home. Or, you could work out an arrangement with a fellow mom where she can take the kids a couple of days and you could do the same and just swap the kids back and forth. I hope this helps.

C., I understand what you mean about needing to work but not being able to afford it. I have a 3yr old and a 22mo old. Daycare is expensive and most jobs that are entry level I have found are 8-10 an hour which wont pay for daycare and make money. I am starting to apply for night jobs. Granted my husband and I won't see a whole lot of each other but it is better for us financially right now. I would recommend looking at that option. I know it really sucks and is probably not what you want but it would be better financially.
Good luck
H.

Hi C.,

I am not sure where you live but there are a lot of programs that help with childcare. If you live in or around Stockton, CA. I can tell you of a good one. If not check your local phone book for childcare assistance programs.

With three kids my husband and I couldn't afford daycare but needed more income so i started working from home. It didn't cost alot to start and the company gives you a free website with lots of training and support. If you are intersted now is a great time to join because new members pay only $1 to enroll!!!
click on my site below for more info

www.workathomeunited.com/carynh

I don't know if you have the room for one, but you could find out about an Au Pair. I found this website that helps match families to an Au Pair, http://www.aupair.com/ but I don't know how good or how much they are. My understanding of an Au Pair is they are some what of a foreign exchange student that provides childcare, minor housekeeping, and some of the cooking. In exchange, you provide a bedroom, food, and “Pocket Money” for them. I’ve heard (NEVER HAD ONE, SO DON”T KNOW FOR SURE) that they get paid between $50 - $250 a week. I know, this is a HUGE gap, but I think it depends of where they come from and how much you expect of them. Many of these girls do go to college during the hours that you are not using their services, so they usually need to know what hours you expect them to be available for when they accept your offer.

If you just don’t have the space to give someone their own room at your house, you could also check with your local churches or religious worship centers to see if there are any college students looking for extra income or a semi-retired lady that “wants to be useful”. These are usually low cost solutions, and as a result, may not last very long, but are at least worth looking into. (Usually people “resign” after a year.)

If all else fails, look at/ put in an ad in the PennySaver. If you place one, state that you are looking for someone to care for your 3 children for X amount per day or week. You can keep your amount down by staggering your’s and your hubby’s schedule if possible. Maybe trying to make it so the person is only needed for 6-7 hours a day.

I hope this helped~ J.

I know exactly how you feel. My DH and I are going through the same thing right now. I actually only work 3 hours a day at a school as a campus supervisor. It's not a ton of work. But I am on the same schedule as them, and get their breaks. So I am not having to pay daycare. Depending on what kind of money you are making and or need it's a pretty good and easy job. It's enough money to make a difference right now. God has blessed us with people who are willing to watch my youngest without pay. The only downfall is that she is with someone different everyday. She loves it but I don't like the gas I have to spend to get her there. But what a blessing it has been to be able to work and not have to pay for daycare.

The only other option I can think of is to do a party plan business. I have done quite a few and you can make pretty good money if you pursue it. It was too hard for me because my DH's schedule is not set in stone. But there are plenty out there you can try. Make sure it is something you like!

I found that local website like craigslist are very helpful. I found the most wonderful and affordable childcare provider on there last year and she is now part of my family. In my case I found one that was negotiable on pay, hours, etc. She's just the best and I wouldn't still be able to do it without her. Try some local websites... Good Luck!

First check with the elementary school that you will be sending your 4 year old to for Kindergarten. A lot of public schools are now adding preschool classes. It is public so it is free. If you have not decided yet, call around for schools within your area and find out which ones have preschool classes.

Second if your 2-1/2 year old is not potty trained, work on it. Many daycares or facilities charge less if they do not have to potty train or if kids come in already potty trained. I know boys are a lot harder to potty train, but they should be by the age of 3.

Lastely....If you can get your 2-1/2 year old potty trained then when he turns 3 you can put him in preschool. Many preschools have classes for 3 year olds, but they have to be potty trained. A preschool will be a little less than childcare.

Now the only problem with this scenerio is that you will be dropping off at 3 different spots. So it will basically be up to you to decide what works best. Good Luck.

Hey you might as well just stay home and start your own home daycare.

Hello C.

I just joined Mama Source and so far really like it! I saw your post and thought I would drop you a line of opportunity. I am a 36 yrs old have two boys & a work at home mom that struggled to get here. I have worked for Corporate & Small business world as an Accountant for 15 years. I went through some hectic times with my last Job dealing with all the office politics. I hated it and was on a search to be my own boss and not have to report to anyone.

I found a great business opportunity in the HBC Magazine that really caught my attention. I wanted to make sure when I started my own business it was making a difference in others lives. Helping them grow in their business as well as a person. I have a Unique Greeting Card Postcard service that is online and run from your PC. I network it out to Hair Salons, Realtors, Insurance Brokers Etc. Pretty much anyone that keeps in touch.

Everyone sends cards everyone needs referrals, and we all need to say Thank you from time to time reach out on a more personal level making other feel special. Long Story short I check into it and immediately saw huge potential. I was putting a part time effort into it because I was working full time for someone else.

A month into it I was already making more from my home business then my hourly wages, which was 40+ hrs out of my home @ $23.50 an Hour, I couldn't believe it. Not only was I making a great income it was growing and not going to stop.

So I decided when my kids got out of school for summer I was going to go into it full time. I gave notice at my job and left the outside work force. I am now making even more and love my job. No stress no heartache no office politics or dictation on my salary and hours it’s all up to me.

The best part is my income wont stop tomorrow if I take the day off to spend with my family it will still come in everyday regardless. I am home with my boys for the first time ever and headed to financial freedom.

I spent $1,000.00's in the past looking for something so I could work from home and never found it. I can honestly say I have now finally got it and want to share it with others because it is great! I am doing now Today My Way!!! My next goal is to bring my husband home to work with me. We are close to reaching that goal…

Visit my site... http://todaymyway.com/
For additional information
http://soclink.com/todaymyway

Try it out on test drive on me please click on the banner to get started. If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to contact me. Let me know what you think your opinion counts... I hope this was helpful I know it will make a difference in your life it is simple practical and an over all feel good opportunity!

To Your Success!!
S.