Job update from Buckeye5...Yikes1!!!

**Buckeye5** · 07-26-2006, 12:20 PM

Well here it is: as you all are aware I quit a deadend job and took another job for a vending company with good hours and perks and pay increase, this was great for my family and lifestyle. Well after two days, I quit. It was so filthy and yucky that I will think twice before I eat out of a vending machine ever again.The food storeage area was dirtier than the industrial plant where the workers worked. I had been off from work for 2 weeks in between jobs, I loved it. Aftera deep discussion with DH, I am going to be a SAHM again after many years of working. Dh said that the two weeks that I was off was wonderful. He said that I wasn't as cranky and tired, and he really enjoyed my company more and felt a contentment within our family. I told him though that I was worried about $. He said that we will find a way to make it work. Our life was so much better w/out me working. He dosen't want me to find a job right now, he siad to take it a day at a time. He also, said that I had more energy for me, (if you know what I mean,LOL). Figures, he would mentioned that LOL,LOL, so Pammyboat again I rally could use your words of wisdom and support, I am worried also, about the winter heating season.If anyone would like to share their thoughts with me I sure would love to be reinforced once again. I am afraid of being lonely once the kids are back to school,but maybe not. DH said that the saying about when one door gets slammed shut, another window does open. I thought the new job was my window, I guess not. Sorry this is so long.

**AmyBoz** · 07-26-2006, 12:24 PM

Well, I'm sorry that it didn't work out, but pleased that you seem so happy with your decision. Best of luck to you!

**pammy** · 07-26-2006, 12:31 PM

Wow, now I'm afraid to eat at a vendor, yikes!

Mighta been a blessing in disguise, you never know. You definitely got my support!! Most everything I did I learned from here. (you guys are the greatest!!)

Deep breathe and smile! You know how usually when someone gets a raise it gets absorbed and you somehow manage to spend it? Like it wasn't even there. Well, this is just reversed.

Somehow we just make due. We lost my income when I quit, we made due (and then some). Dh got a paycut in May, we still made due just fine.

Best advise I can think of I heard it here... read, read, read.

Try one money slashing project a week, it's really easy getting overwhelmed.

So glad all was happier in your two week break, now you can look forward to that everyday. As always, come here when you need support, got a great bunch here!! Enjoy, chickie!!

**peanut** · 07-26-2006, 02:19 PM

OH dear! Sorry that didn't work out for you. Glad you and dh have decided to try a new approach. You're lucky he wants you to stay home. A lot of guys want their wives out working.

I wouldn't be too worried about the fall. There are lots of ladies groups around that meet for doing handiwork or whatever. Maybe spend the time learning new skills that will help you be more frugal.

I've been a SAHM/W for 12 years now. We net around 30-35K cdn/year after taxes and deductions from dh's paycheck. It's not bad. We do just fine on that...in fact, really well. We're socking about $1000/mth. into savings.

Jean

**ironmaiden** · 07-26-2006, 04:31 PM

Well, everyone said try it and if you don't like it, quit. And that's what you did - gave it a chance and made a decision based on the experience.

Sit down and plan, plan, plan. Plan menus, inventory what you have in the house - food and otherwise, research frugal living - Tightwad Gazzette needs to be read, plan frugal ideas of things to do with the kids, plan what to do in your fall downtime. Make lots of lists. I'm sure going through the house room by room - decluttering, selling the extraneous on Ebay, reorganizing will take up a good chunk of time.

But you also have to decide you time vs. productive time.
Don't feel guilty that you are not providing a paycheck and thus work every spare moment in the house. Come up with a "compromise". This many hours you do house stuff including and this many hours is your time. Take the time as a gift and make good use of YOU time.

**auntie2many** · 07-26-2006, 05:45 PM

Sorry that your vending machine job did not work out for you. You are fortunate that your dh wants you to stay at home. There are many wonderful books that you can read that will give you ideas on stretching the $'s. A good one is called "Women Leaving The Workplace" by the late Larry Burkett. Miserly Mom's is good as are all of Cynthia Yates frugal books. Read, read, read, not even Amy Dacyczyn knew all there was to know about frugal living. She is the first to say that she learned alot from her readers who wrote to her.

You may want to start by caulking around the windows to help keep the winter heat in and also put towels at the bottom of the entry doors to keep drafts out. Turn the thermostat so it does use as much energy this winter and have everyone wear a sweatshirt while indoors. Cook from scratch. This will keep the kitchen and dining areas warm.

Buy food from Angel Food Ministeries or SHARE. Shop at Aldi's, Big Lots, Save-A-Lot and Super Walmart for groceries.

Read this and other frugal web-sites.

**kabin63** · 07-26-2006, 06:36 PM

Hi Buckeye,
Sorry it didn't work out, but welcome to being a SAHM. What a wonderful opportunity to learn, learn, and learn some more. Yes, when the kids go back to school it gets a little lonely, but you have the opportunity to do housework without anyone under foot. You will have more time to plan, cook, bake, read, etc... I've been staying home for the last 2 1/2 yrs. I love it! Why? I get more done, I'm not so cranky, I have more energy for..., and I am available when my DD needs to come home from school sick, etc. I was worried at first too, but truth be told, I really believe that while we were going through a really rough time prior to my quit, God provided, so, I knew he would continue to provide. And He is.
I am still learning to plan menus, etc..., but I am so much happier. I know you will be too. Best wishes!

**Buckeye5** · 07-26-2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks so much for all of your support, I have been having DSL problems, and I tried to correct my error in my earlier post I meant to say about Dh saying that I had more energy for him, not me. I meant in the bedroom, you guys probably thought I was a weirdo or something, LOl. I am in the middle of Miserly Moms book about living in a 2 income world on a single income, lots of good points in there. I called today about our Verizon DSL monthly cost, and was able to saved $33 per month plus taxes, getting rid of caller ID, which just had an increase from $8-10 a month, so another savings, I am also going to experiment with dishwasher, only using it in certain siutations, and wash and dry my dishes myself. Sometimes I would run it twice a day, especially during these summer months when my kids are food vultures.I read that it could save me 30-60 gallons of water a day, that adds up on my water bill. I will let you know. Maybe some of you would like to do that experiment for a month also.We need new windows in my house desperately, but those will have to wait. I will put up plastic during the cold months. I already have the heat down low in the winter, but it is true that cooking from scratch will help to heat the house.I also have read the TWG, and will read it again. I am making a list to see where I could save more money, etc. Just remember to think twice about vending machines, if you only knew. I was shocked!!!!Coffee machines were the worst, take note.Thanks Pammyboat and all of you, I will need you all more than ever in the next several months during this lifestyle change, and pinching pennies further.I feel relieved and scared at the same time. I am lucky that DH has been so open to this option, he was the one who suggested it.

**Daisygirl** · 07-27-2006, 05:50 AM

Congrats Buckeye on your decision to stay at home. You know, maybe changing to this other job was just what you needed to institue this change. As we all know, there are things in life that are far more important than money!

Enjoy your new lifestyle.

**Cele** · 07-27-2006, 09:15 AM

Is your dishwasher really old? I know we can't handwash that many dishes for the small amount of water our (fairly new) dishwasher uses. We use the "air dry" cycle to avoid the extra electricity--and heat!--usage from the drying cycle.

Also be sure to factor in your time, not a monetary issue, but as a quality of life issue. Time you spend standing in front of a sink is time you don't get with the family.

**PrairieRose** · 07-27-2006, 09:26 AM

The reasons you mentioned are exactly why I stay at home and have for most of our 30 years of married life. All of our lives are just much more serene and less stressful when I don't work outside of the home. I'm always getting 'job offers' from one place or another (like friends mentioning them to me) and Gripey just shakes his head (which thrills me, cuz I don't want to go to work if I don't have to). Oh, and would like to add, I think some of my friends feel sorry for me....staying home and all...

.

**peanut** · 07-27-2006, 11:40 AM

We have dh do the dishes with one of the children every night. That gives me a break and dh a chance to have some one-on-one time with a child.

I try to do the dishes up throughout the day so there's not a lot for dh to do. I never fill the sink with water...just half full. And a bucket in the other sink for rinsing, so we don't use a lot of water there either. I save the rinse water to water the plants in the backyard.

Jean

**Buckeye5** · 07-27-2006, 11:59 AM

Thanks for the good idea.

**jen k** · 08-15-2006, 01:13 AM

buckeye5, i'm happy for you, i think you are really lucky! sometimes things happen for a reason. some good things happened from all of this, so i think when you look back, it will all be worth it. lots of us work and try to implement all the money saving skills at the same time, i know in some ways when you work outside the home it can cost you and your family more than you think. look at precooked bacon, who buys that...not a stay at home mom. plus, aside from money issues, if mom is more content, less stressed, happy, the whole family structure benefits. it will be a domino effect, i predict. you will find money in the budget, some is instant...less driving around, last minute purchases to make supper will be a thing of the past, hubby will be happier and this will make him more successful, you'll be there for your kids more which will benefit them more than anything else, you will feel more appreciated and confident with your new role....just don't let anyone make you feel like less of a person for staying home. i think it's wonderful and where most of us moms would love to be. it's important what you are doing. good for you!

**autumnlynn** · 08-15-2006, 01:58 AM

Sorry the job didn't work out, but you gave it a try. I think being a SAHM will be very rewarding. When you work outside the home, there are so many things you miss out on. Being frugal and cutting corners where you can will help you to make it on one income. I am happy your hubby wants you to stay home.