SAHM's I need advice!

[Jengi]

I posted this in the women's discussion also but I thought you all might be able to help too! Any advice would be appreciated!

I am hoping to become a SAHM when my baby is born in April. Yesterday we sat down to look at our budget to see if we could survive on my husband's salary.

Basically, if we don't want to eat we can just about make ends meet. We are looking at all of our options. Putting the baby in daycare is not an option I am willing to consider. My husband could work from home a few days a week and my MIL will help out. I love my job and have no problem with continuing to work but I was really hoping to stay home for a few years.

What I really want to find is a way to make a little extra money at home that is not a scam. Do any of you SAHM's have a "work at home" job or other ways you make ends meet? We are really praying that God will show us a way to make this work.

 

[inHisgrip]

I have never found a Work at Home deal that wasn't a scam.
However you can always take care of other peoples children in your home. For us my husband is working 2 jobs, but in decemember I will go back to work on his nights off.
Best to you, its tough,
In him

 

[greenessa]

I decided to stay at home in April and it has been tough. We just bought a townhouse on Oct. 1st and it is even tighter. I am in the middle of being liscenced for at home childcare, as we won't be able to get by on his income alone. There are so many things to think of though. One thing I wasn't sure from your post... is your husband going to work on the days that he is home and you are at work? Might be a tough arrangment depending on his job. Money issues aside, God willing you will find a way to do what you need to do to be really happy.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

Could you move to a smaller home or apartment? You can also look at where your money is going. If you pay for cable, satellite tv, internet, newspaper, etc... you can cut those things out. I've talked to some moms who sold their car and took their husband to work everyday and picked him up with his car or if they lived in town, they walked. Go over your budget and see what you are willing to sacrifice. If nothing can be sacrificed, you could do as inHisGrip suggested and watch another child or two. I think there are always ways to make it work but it requires a bit of sacrifice.

 

[selune]

Also, another idea is to shop the store brands of things or use coupons for things that you regularly eat/use. Many stores coordinate their sales with the coupon ads, so you can get some great deals that way. Cutting cable, paper, extra frills is a good idea too. We're at one car and it's nice to not have that extra insurance, upkeep and such. It is a hassle on busy days, but it saves money.

 

[Zoomer]

I used to be a SAHM, but we needed more money so I worked around my husbands schedule. That way we did not need daycare and we both were working.

 

[mamaneenie]

I've been SAHM for 3 years, it hasn't always been easy and we haven't always got everything we wanted. For example we rent and only have one car, also we are trying to save for a house, but it is hard. God does provide the things we need.

Also, I take in ironing, I leave a sign on the board at the local shops and if someone wants ironing done, I do it for them, for a fee of course and it does help provide the luxuries.

 

[TracyLynn]

Hello! (((((((HUGS)))))))))

I hope no one thinks wrong of me. But, just recently I decided that it be best that we stay home. My children really needed me at home. My husband also thought this would be best for our family and our needs. What I am about to say might sound bad but....we are low income and we were eligible for food stamps and the medical card where we live. That has enabled me to stay home now. You could see if you would be eligible for this. You don't have to be on it forever either. I don't plan on being on it forever. But, this is just a suggestion.
I will pray that things work out for you. Congratulations on your new child.

Blessings~
TracyLynn

 

[Celticflower]

I have been a stay at home mom for 12 years. While it hasn't always been easy, it has been worth it. I cut coupons, shop for bargains, pick the tomatoes, peppers, raspberries and cherries that grow in our yard and do a lot of praying! Sometimes you have to step back from whatever the situation is and take a more creative look at how to get thru or around it. One thing that helps a bit is my crocheting. It allows me to make fancy gifts for family and friends at a fraction of what I'd pay to buy them. I also make sweaters, hats, mittens scarves and such for my kids, as well as toys. Money may be tight, but time I got--so I use it instead of money to show people I care.

Celtie

 

[alaskamolly]

I do this http://HappyHome.MomsMakeMore.com and it's been working REALLY well for us (for over a year now). It might not be something for you, but it's a great example of something out there that is TOTALLY not a scam!


I do understand about the scam fear. We got scammed for 3,500.00 during our 'work-at-home' search... Some companies just flat out lie! But while you're doing your research (this I learned AFTER we got scammed really badly!), check out a few things:

What does the Better Business Bureau say about them?

What kind of award history does the company have--what awards and who gave them to the company?

Those are two things that will really help weed out the lame ones from the excellent ones.


Hope you find something!

(The other thing is: just be very frugal!)

Blessings,
Molly

 

[bliz]

Cutting down on spending is a big part of being able to stay home - we did it all, went to one car, shopped at 2nd hand clothing shops, no vacations or dinners out... depending upon how you are living now, there may be a lot of money to be saved! This also made us eligible for WIC and free immunizations for the kiddos. I would gladly do all of that again.

What kind of work have you been doing? There may be things you can do at home... or ways to make a job for yourself.. it depends upon your skills. I was blessed: I quite a fulltime job to raise my eldest, and a part-time, work out of my home planning an annual conference came my way! They didn't even miss a beat when I said I'd have to bring nursing babies with me...