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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Honestly, I would not keep working for an extra $500/month. What's the point? There are ways to save and cut back if need be to make up at least some of that money. If you really want to be a SAHM you can make it work for sure with an $800 surplus every month BUT if you really love your job and don't want to leave then keep working. It's really a personal choice. I love being a SAHM, I miss the $$$ but I don't miss working at all but everyone is different. 
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Posted 12/14/09 9:47 AM  |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Posted by AnnBrunoXO
I would stay at home with the kids - see how it goes. Work will always be there for you if you return in a year or two.
That's not really true...especially in this economy
And I know that my cousin SAH with her kids for 5 years and when she tried to go back to work she was getting LAUGHABLE offers so much so that she went back to school instead
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| Posted 12/14/09 9:48 AM |
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AnnBrunoXO
2 Girls For Me!
Member since 5/05 4377 total posts
Name:
MaMMa
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Posted by KateDevine
Posted by AnnBrunoXO
I would stay at home with the kids - see how it goes. Work will always be there for you if you return in a year or two.
That's not really true...especially in this economy
And I know that my cousin SAH with her kids for 5 years and when she tried to go back to work she was getting LAUGHABLE offers so much so that she went back to school instead
I understand what you are saying. I left my career and am still very good friends with a number of my bosses and coworkers. I know that they will help me get back into work if I needed to. Its good never to burn your bridges when leaving your job. Its always possible to cut back on certain things to make ends meet. If that's not possible for a family to do - then I would definitely agree to continue working. Its also true that if you don't try something- you will never know if its possible or if its something doable for you or your family.
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| Posted 12/14/09 9:54 AM |
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computergirl
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3118 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I would not work for a net profit of $500+ a month. It has nothing to do with philosophical views about SAH vs. working... to me it's just a ton of hassle and effort for little return.
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| Posted 12/14/09 9:54 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I'll give you another option. Work for one more year. Put that $500 in a savings plan(talk to a financial planner to see which one works best) After a year you will have $6000. If you could save another $500 out of your paychecks you woudl have $12,000 and that could give you a cushion.
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:02 AM |
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Candy Girl
Candy girl- you are so sweet!
Member since 11/07 6349 total posts
Name:
erin
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Posted by leighdvm
sigh......you know what gets me also? No matter what decision I make, I feel like I would be making the wrong one.
On one hand, yes, I could totally do it financially. We blow alot of money on Starbucks, buying stuff we don't need, fast food, that sweater I just HAD to have, etc. I could cut back, no question......we don't owe anything and we have some money in the bank. Not a lot, but a decent amount.
BUT.....there are some Sundays that I say, "I can't wait to drop them off tomorrow", because TWINS are ALOT of work -- especially when you have NO ONE to help......Imagine your 9-month old being cranky and fussy......TIMES THAT BY TWO......it's rough, no doubt.....I want to run screaming from the house sometimes.
I make a decent living, but it's definitely a career I could always go back to later on if I wanted to.
I just DON'T KNOW..........anyone else struggling with this? I feel like I am going to regret ANY decision I make.....
You know, as I think about it, it doesn't have to be one or the other.
You could always get a Mommy's Helper one or two days a week or put them in daycare part-time.
I know that might take up a bunch of your 805, but right now I am not working AND my DD is in daycare. People think I am crazy, but I got an unexpected sabbatical and it would have cost us more $ to take DD out of daycare than to leave her in. I am getting a lot of the rest that *I* needed and I am a better Mom, wife and ME because of it.
I have to go back to work on 2/1, but I may get an extension until late April. In that case, I would take DD out of daycare until September '10.
But I know what you're saying about needing some you time.
I almost went crazy! I don't have any family help and it is just me and DH. I can't even imagine doing it with twins.
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:07 AM |
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leighdvm
My golden boys!
Member since 3/06 4419 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Posted by DRMom
I'll give you another option. Work for one more year. Put that $500 in a savings plan(talk to a financial planner to see which one works best) After a year you will have $6000. If you could save another $500 out of your paychecks you woudl have $12,000 and that could give you a cushion.
hmmm......this sounds really good......
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:28 AM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
For me, I'd totally stay at home!
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:30 AM |
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michele31
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3372 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I think you need to look at other factors as well.
You should try to run the numbers of your not working to include:
any health care plan changes ie: do you cover yourself now and your husband will now need to pay to cover you/the kids or anything like that.
tax rate changes: you may actually have more money as a SAHM because your lose of income and increase in defendants will change your husband's paycheck.
husband's job security: not sure what he does but is there a "good" chance that he could lose his job, get a paycut? Do you have any emergency funds in case any of this happens?
your career: not all careers allow you to leave the industry for a few years and then "just return". Some careers, yes you can get right back into it but in some, a lapse is very hard to overcome, especially with the job market the way it is now. Would you be okay with being out for YEARS longer than you are thinking now?
Would you be happy as a SAHM? Not every women wants or is happy with leaving their job. When money is VERY tight you are not able to join all of those mommy/me classes, go to a gym, etc...
Your retirement: when you are not working you are not contributing to social security or other retirement plans (unless you open an IRA and contribute to that). You should consider the lose of your long term retirement planning to your decision.
Life style: many people love to take a vacation every year or buy their 3x a week Starbucks or get those "must have" shoes. It is easier to write to change your lifestyle than to actually do it. You might want to continuing working for 2 months and change your life style. See how it works for you and DH. Bank as much money as you can.
HUGS..not an easy decision. Honestly $500 a month can be the difference between feeling stable or feeling really tight. If oil prices jump again or you need a new XX in the house can you still do those things?
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:31 AM |
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mooshyboo
So Blessed!
Member since 11/07 6297 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
If you have a desire to be a SAHM I would totally do it! 
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:34 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I didn't vote, but going to write my opinion.
In my situation, I would continue to work. My job is much more stable than my DH's. I have a "career" that I worked hard to get and might have a hard time getting back into if I left. I also have MUCH better benefits than my DH, including a pension. My health insurance alone made it worthwhile for me to come back to work. I also have a more family friendly job, if my DS is sick, I stay home without a problem from my employer. There isn't usually too much going on here that can't wait a day or two for me to get back.
So for us, the decision is actually about a lot more than just the dollar amount of how much more or less I would bring home.
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:49 AM |
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Annie91606
Brotherly love
Member since 12/07 1816 total posts
Name:
Anne
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I would be a SAHM. I was working FT and now I am staying at home and I am much happier. Everyone is different, so you may feel the opposite and wish you were still working!
I do spend a LOT less now than I did while working. We save a lot of money because I don't have the commuting costs, lunches out, dry cleaning, etc. We also get a lot less take-out, and I can take the time to clip coupons, cook, and shop for bargains. I also no longer pay a cleaning lady since I have the time to clean now. Our financial advisor also pointed out how much less we pay in taxes now since we are on only one income.
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:50 AM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
For $500 a month I would be a SAHM. I gave up a lot more than that.
I guess my only question is do you have savings to fall back on should you need it for an emergency.
There are a lot of corners you can cut to make up that $500. Not working you don't need as many clothes, eat out less, etc.
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| Posted 12/14/09 10:55 AM |
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leighdvm
My golden boys!
Member since 3/06 4419 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Posted by michele31
I think you need to look at other factors as well.
You should try to run the numbers of your not working to include:
any health care plan changes ie: do you cover yourself now and your husband will now need to pay to cover you/the kids or anything like that.
Yes, I factored that in with our expenses
tax rate changes: you may actually have more money as a SAHM because your lose of income and increase in defendants will change your husband's paycheck.
Good to know! I didn't realize this
husband's job security: not sure what he does but is there a "good" chance that he could lose his job, get a paycut? Do you have any emergency funds in case any of this happens?
I guess his job is as stable as anyone else's.....No one has gotten laid-off yet, but who knows? There are lay-offs at MY job -- although I think I am relatively safe
your career: not all careers allow you to leave the industry for a few years and then "just return". Some careers, yes you can get right back into it but in some, a lapse is very hard to overcome, especially with the job market the way it is now. Would you be okay with being out for YEARS longer than you are thinking now?
I would be able to return to being a patent prosecution paralegal in 5 years, no question. I have 18 years of experience in this field and it's pretty much sought-after since it's not the most popular area of law--but it IS the most boring, let me tell you...
Would you be happy as a SAHM? Not every women wants or is happy with leaving their job. When money is VERY tight you are not able to join all of those mommy/me classes, go to a gym, etc...
I have no idea....I think I feel very guilty that I can't be with them all day. I'm sure I would have "kill me now" days, but I have those with my job, too
Your retirement: when you are not working you are not contributing to social security or other retirement plans (unless you open an IRA and contribute to that). You should consider the lose of your long term retirement planning to your decision.
Good point, I hadn't thought of this....Good idea about the IRA
Life style: many people love to take a vacation every year or buy their 3x a week Starbucks or get those "must have" shoes. It is easier to write to change your lifestyle than to actually do it. You might want to continuing working for 2 months and change your life style. See how it works for you and DH. Bank as much money as you can.
I think I'll take the advice of Melissa and get more of a cushion in the bank to feel more secure
HUGS..not an easy decision. Honestly $500 a month can be the difference between feeling stable or feeling really tight. If oil prices jump again or you need a new XX in the house can you still do those things?
I'm in NC and do not have oil/gas, thankfully (everything is electric). This is where the cushion in the bank will come in, if we need something for the house or car
These are all GREAT points, and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to write them! A HUGE thank-you to everyone else for giving their opinion, it really means alot!! You all truly rock!!!
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| Posted 12/14/09 11:17 AM |
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MrsList
Sweet cheeks
Member since 4/09 1696 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
Unless your DH's job is TOTALLY secure, I would keep working and save the extra for emergencies and for the kids' college funds. Like others have said, in this economy you never know and to give up $500 a month is a lot.
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| Posted 12/14/09 11:38 AM |
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maybesoon
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 5981 total posts
Name:
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Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll
I just feel like you have another 30 years ahead of you to work (if you want) kids grow so fast I can't believe my little baby is 15 months already. some days I am frustrated with him, but I can't think of a better way to spend my day.
Please let us know what you decide
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| Posted 12/14/09 11:40 AM |
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