Working moms and stay-at-home moms are so critical of one another.  Working moms seem to think that stay-at-home moms sit around all day and eat bon-bons while watching tv.  Stay-at-home moms sometimes think that working moms don’t love their children enough, they’re more concerned with their careers, or they aren’t willing to make sacrifices for the family.

I am a working mom, but I have stepped back from my career right now while the kids are young.  When my daughter was 14 months old, I went back to work teaching part-time at a preschool.  When my son was 7 months old I went back to the same type of job.  I have taken a huge cut in pay and this is a hard decision.  I am with my kids a lot!  Sometimes I wish I could be like a working mom so that I could send my kids away for a little while each day, just for the fact that they wouldn’t get on my nerves so much and that I could appreciate them more.  I also miss the health insurance and other great benefits, including retirement.

Work expenses are something that I had to consider when I decided to be a part-time stay-at-home mom.  I figured by the time I paid for childcare for 2 children, clothing, gas, and vehicle expenses, I would be clearing about the same amount of money that I’m getting now.  Perhaps it might be a little more, but it wouldn’t be much.

I am very fortunate.  I work at the preschool that my kids attend.  They go to work with me each day.  I take them to their class and they leave with me when I’m done.  And right now, my daughter is in my class since we’re short-staffed.  I am truly thankful that I have found something that works for my family. 

On the Oprah show today there was a debate as to whether or not women could have it all.  Oprah said something great.  She said, “You can have it all.  You just can’t have it all right now.”

And the debate goes on.  Tell us what you think about working vs stay-at-home moms.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In her recent post, More Important to Save or Earn?, Sarah realizes that sometimes the best ways for moms to contribute is by saving money, rather than earning money.

We contribute to our family by saving money at the grocery store, clothing stores, toys stores, by taking advantage of store sales and promotions.  It all takes a little time to get the most for our money but when we are able to save $20.00 on food using coupons that is additional money that can go towards the running of the home.

To see how much she was truly saving, Sarah decided to keep a journal.  The journal shows what she would have spent at the store without coupons and store promotions, then the actual amount spent, and total savings. 

The savings part is going to be her main focus.  It is helping her to see that her efforts are truly valuable to her family. 

Are you questioning your value to your family? Or perhaps you just want to know what your efforts are doing.  You may want to try Sarah’s journal idea for a while.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

There are also wonderful links for more resources.  I loved playing around with the mortgage calculator.  It tell syou whether you could actually handle a 15 yr mortgage or if a 30 yr mortgage is better for you.  I also did the “Wow much do you actually bring home” calculator.  It tells you how much you actually bring home.  It will give you a good idea as to whether to work outside the home or not.  And we all want to feel like leaving our kids with someone is worth it.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy