Evaluate the Costs of Going Back to Work

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Evaluate the Costs of Going Back to Work

Submitted by: anonymous 04/05/2009 9:20 PM

Add up the costs involved to continue working if you are a new mother. It may be possible to stay at home, if this is what you want.

How many times do you eat out?

Do you pay for child care or housekeeping?

Add in the cost of gas, clothes and possibly lunches.

Many women feel they must work but haven't really added up the costs involved.

Could you go without a second vehicle or put off major purchases for a few years?

My sister found that by looking after a friends child she could stay at home with her son. It's food for thought

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Comments:

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These are all good thoughts, but also with this economy, one should also consider how solid one's spouses job is.

I am an advice nurse and talk to people frequently whose spouse have lost their jobs in the last few months, I have even talked to people who have both lost their jobs recently.

Do you have a fully funded emergency fund?

Are you capable of paying for COBRA with those funds?

What if you or your spouse could not obtain a job for a year or more?

How could you be sure that you can get a job right away?

That is not all that uncommon. What if your spouse needs to take a job at half is pay when you are already living on a shoestring budget?

When you or your spouse start a new job, it can take another 3 to 6 weeks to get your first paycheck, can you wait that long?

Think hard about this decision, there is more to it than meets the eye.

My husband and I worked opposite shifts and I only worked 3 days a week - that included every other weekend, so we both worked only 2 of the same weekdays on separate shifts - no burden of child care and we were secure the several times my husband lost his job.

Things were tight for sure, but I carried benefits and we never had to choose between feeding ourselves and making the house payment or taking a sick child to the doctor.

I agree many women may be able to stay home, especially if their hourly rate is marginal, working part time I am still the larger bread winner and provide the free dental and health insurance plans that cover our family. I have no dress code.

I currently work while my youngest is still in school, I leave after my husband and children and return home before them. I take my food to work. I bought my reliable honda 10 years ago.

At this point, my only job expense is litterally driving to work and back, total of 16 miles, 4 days a week (weekdays only). I work a 6 hour shift, so I can do my own housework and cooking.

I think a full time job is unrealistic, I believe a part time job is doable if you need the money and benefits.

Posted by Nurse Janna on April 23, 2009 8:19 PM

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Nurse Janna..what a great life you have but it is the exception. Still it's good advice!

Posted by anonymous on April 24, 2009 12:30 AM

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There's a lot to weigh for certain. We must be sensible especially in these times. Raising one's own child....priceless.

Posted by anonymous on July 30, 2009 4:42 AM

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Quality full-time childcare, especially infant care, is quite expensive... I gave birth to my 4th child last year, and have been fortunate to be home with him.. Unless you're pulling in at least $2,000/mo net pay, it is not worth it to go back to work..

My son is also incredibly healthy, at his last checkup, his doctor did a double-take at how "clean" his chart is.. he said, oh yes, that's right, he's not in daycare! I laughed and said, that's right.

Imagine how stressful it must be for babies to be away from their mommy, and added to that, they catch every cold and virus from exposure in the daycares. No thanks! I'll eat cheap groceries (yes, healthy ones) and buy secondhand toys and clothes. My kids are what truly matter..

If it's coming up on the holidays, simply get a part time job in the evenings for a little extra cash.. let hubby handle things for awhile :-)

Posted by Jen on September 12, 2009 4:37 PM

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yes and no.. I have struggled with this whole idea.. I would love to be at home.. but,my husbands job just does not pay enough. we could survive yes... but if the car broke down, we could not get it repaired.. if some thing broke in the house we could not fix it.. My children do not go to daycare.. I have family that watches my kids. Also, I carry the health insurance..my job makes like a bit more comfortable.
Yes I would love to be at home, but I refuse to not have insurance or a slush fund.

Posted by anonymous on October 28, 2009 11:32 AM

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