advice please, confusing situation

toile · 10-14-2008, 01:21 PM

Can anyone offer any advice please.

I have been a homemaker for 15 years but recently started working a little job assisting a local house@keeper.
Here is my dilemma.

For financial reasons, she needs to only work me once a week as needed.
I am used to working 3-5 days a week for her.
But it's costing her $ to hire me that she needs for her family.
And some days she truly can manage the work by herself etc..
Just for the record she is a very good person and seems bummed she had to do this to me. She is also nice to work for/with.

It will be about $50 or less. So $200 or less per month.
This week I only made $30.
Whats frustrating me is that the days wont be consistent.
I was used to having a "job" and planned my life accordingly.
Now it will be a call a week and each week the day will be different.
I can't plan ahead at all.

Is this even worth the trouble for $ 30-50 a week?
I have always been super frugal "to make $$" so the numbers are confusing me here.
I'm very scheduled too and this not know when I work bugs me.

Or am I under estimating a small blessing and need to be more grateful?
Forgot to add something BIG.
I cant back out of driveways to save my life.
I knew knew knew this was going to be a problem...
Today sure enough I was stuck in their tight space and scratched the hubbies sports car

I am afraid it will costs me more to work for her because of of insurance damage alone

**leezza** · 10-14-2008, 01:31 PM

The lady sounds like they are having some money difficulties.......It sounds like she wants you there all the time but can't right now, (you may want to ask her if this is temperary or if this is how things will be for the long term).

Maybe you could start looking for another family that you could work for or add them as a customer.......let the first family know that they will need to pick a day and stick with it......that way you can schedule other work or your life with that information in mind.

JMHO,
leezza

**Ceashels** · 10-14-2008, 01:52 PM

I agree that it sounds like she is having some financial issues or is preparing for future financial issues. You need to keep some boundaries though so You can function and scheduling seems to be a bit part of that. Let her know what days YOU are available to help her out and she is welcome to call you on those days. You can then look for things to do the other days to 1) make money 2) help others or 3) enjoy life.

**MerMcE** · 10-14-2008, 02:11 PM

I would start my own business and schedule the days I wanted to work. You could take on as many/few clients as you want.

**Dot** · 10-14-2008, 02:54 PM

I agree with pinning them down to a day. Then you will be free to look for other jobs. And if giving you a consistent schedule doesn't work for them, then you would be free to leave if you wanted. I know that would not be easy for you. It sounds like the situation is as tight as the driveway.

toile · 10-14-2008, 05:30 PM

Well after thinking this over........I let the job go.

1. I only get one cheapo October beach vacation a year and I gave that whole week up (last week ) to be a good employee.....

I now have to wait a YEAR to vacation with my kids again.

2. My teen daughter was going to have to babysit my toddler for a week at Thanksgiving, Christmas, school breaks and all summer.
This is just not acceptable for our family, especially for a tiny paycheck.
I gave up my career to raise my own kids ya know and made it 14 years. I will make it 14 more I'm sure

I wasn't making much $$ at this because I have to get to the kids schools each day on time.
I'm glad I tried it but am ready to go back to frugal stay at home mommmyhood.
Plus we always end up spending $ when I work