What would You Do???? Need Advice!

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 10:28 AM

Hi Ladies!
Ok, So I have been trying to become a SAHM for a bit now.....I have a full time job at a junk yard in the accounting office. I do love my job...I know that is more than a lot of people can say...... I make pretty good $ for having no more than a HS education. I do have to travel 35 miles one way for my job. I feel like I never have time with DD and feel like I never have time to cook and clean the way I would like. My DD is in daycare....

They know my situation and that I may be leaving to be a SAHM. They are very supportive of whatever decision I make. They have told me that I will receive a raise if I stay because I am due one, but will not talk $ with me until I make my decision because they want my decision to be mine, and not about the $. Things have changed a lot in the past few months since I came back from maternity leave.....I have been here 2 1/2 yrs. I have been given twice as much to do and have not had an increase in pay.

I have been offered a p/t job working Fri 12-6 and Sun 10-6. I would be earning $9/hr which I feel is very good for p/t work. There is the availability for more hours if I want/need them. I could also sell on Ebay etc if I was home....things I have no time for now.

We can afford for me to SAH if I take this p/t job. It will be quite a bit tighter than if I continued working, but I would be with DD.......If I continued working, we could potentially pay our house off in 10 years.

SO, what would you do????? Stay working and take the $, or take the p/t job and be with DD? Dh is supportive in whatever I choose.....

Sorry this is SOO incredibly long...I wanted to paint a clear picture!

**celina** · 09-15-2006, 10:44 AM

well dd is not gonna be little forever....i'd stay home and be with her and work part time...i stay home..and it entails sacrifices...but i gladly do them....

THIS IS JUST MY 2C I DO NOT JUDGE THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO WORK THANK YOU....

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 11:06 AM

Thanks for your opinion!!!

Everyone else?

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-15-2006, 11:12 AM

I agree about staying home. I love being home with my kids. Perhaps you should try the p/t work to see if being home is really what YOU want. Some stay home and hate it. Some don't. How's your support network at home. Believe it or not you do need some adult conversation in your day. Have you and DH sat down and talked it throught. Its important that he realizes that most of the money earning responsiblity will be on him. When my bil found this out he flipped and DSister ended up not leaving her job.

You must do whats good for you and your family.

Laurie in Bradenton

**staceyy** · 09-15-2006, 11:17 AM

It sounds like you'll have the best of both worlds if you take the part-time job.

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 12:36 PM

Yes, DH definitely understands that most of the $ burden will be on him. He is perfectly fine with it. He wants what is best for our family and we are thinking that me being a SAHM will be best. The p/t job will be to have some $ for savings and other non-essentials....like saving for a vacation etc. Also for my sanity to get out of the house!

I have asked if DH would mind bringing his lunch to work if I SAH and he said as long as I fix it, he will take it!

He is so silly. He usually eats at fast food places....he just doesn't want to have to take the time to fix lunch....which is fine with me....I don't mind.

I agree that DD will only be little once! And we want at least one more child.

Thanks so much for your opinions! Is there anything else I am not thinking through?

**Jerseygirl** · 09-15-2006, 01:00 PM

Will this effect your health benefits etc. One of the main reasons I continue to work is for my benefits and 401k etc.

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 01:15 PM

I will have to start some type of IRA or something to save for retirement if I SAH, but I will be going onto DH's insurance anyways. It is a lot cheaper. Only reason I didn't before is I was Preggo and I have a little better insurance.....
If I SAH and work at this P/t job, I have the option of eventually going F/t if I want. I believe after 1 year, you can join on the 401 k plan.....

**kettel6** · 09-15-2006, 01:16 PM

Is there anyway you can work from home? Also like Jerseygirl said keep your benefits in mind.

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 01:18 PM

No, there is not an option to go p/t or work from home with my current job.....

**bumplett** · 09-15-2006, 01:51 PM

I think you have to decide where you are needed most.

If you can make the sacrifices it takes to not work full-time, I say 'go for it!'

Good Luck with whatever you decide!

and know that we are here for you no matter what! (and we will offer all kinds of frugal advice - even if you don't want to hear it)

**betharoo0** · 09-15-2006, 01:59 PM

IMHO, there is !NOTHING! better than spending as much time as you can with your kids! The more you hang here, "the little bit tight" financal situation becomes easier to handle. I have been a sahm for 5 years now, and I could not imagine going back to work.
I vote for sah& part time job

**AveryMadison'sMommy** · 09-15-2006, 02:04 PM

I really appreciate everyone helping with our decision!!!!
I am afraid I will regret if I don't SAH.......
Have any of you quit a job to SAH that you really loved and made good $ doing? I need some reassurance!!!

I knew you ladies would be the right place to come and get advice!!!

**auntie2many** · 09-15-2006, 02:23 PM

There is an excellent book on this subject that is very in depth titled "Women Leaving The Workplace", by the late Larry Burkett. You may want to see if you can get this through the library or inter-library loan and read it before making your decision.

We can all say what we would do, but ultimately the decision is up to you and your dh.

For instance, I would stay at home and work part time if I were you, but not everyone feels this way.

We support you in whatever decision you make. Get as many frugal tips under your belt as you can and if you are able to live without your full time income, then the last few weeks that you are at your job (if you decide to leave) stash your paychecks in savings or an emergency fund.

auntie