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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

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

Reader’s Digest

1.  Child Identity Theft – Yes, there are actually people out there so greedy that they will steal a child’s SSN and use it for their own good.

2.  The Latest Work-At-Home Swindle – These are people that want to wire money to your account and have you keep a commission.  Most likely, anything that says “money transfer” is usually a phony.

3.  Fake Jury Duty Con – This is a sneaky one.  They call you and claim that you’re going to be arrested for not showing up for jury duty.  Then they get you to give them your SSN so that they can fix the situation.  Very sneaky indeed.

4.  Medicare Fraud – The new Medicare prescription drug plan is confusing and has attracted a lot of cons.  Be aware of anyone that asks for your personal information as part of their marketing.

5.  Pretexting – Never give your personal information over the phone.  Beware of people calling with surveys or someone saying they’re from a bank.  If you get a call like this, then tell them you’re not interested.  If they say they’re from your bank then hang up and call your bank.  You can never be too careful.

6.  “IRS” Phishing Scam – Someone tried to pull this one on us a few weeks ago. My husband received an email from a person claiming to be the IRS.  It is also very common to get emails that seem like they are from eBay, Paypal, your bank, etc. 

7.  Pharming – Pharming criminals hack into your computer and implant software.  Then when you log onto your bank or other website, they send you to another look alike site.  There they steal your information.  It’s scary, isn’t it?!?  Keep your anti-virus protection up to date!

8.  Internet Telephony Trickery – These people call you trying to sell you internet phone software in order to save you money.  Somehow they are able to disguise their location.  It may appear that they are calling you from a company within the U.S., but really they could be calling you from Costa Rica.

9.  High Tech ATM Snooping – This is done with digital cameras that are hooked up near ATMs.  They may appear like they’re installed by the bank.  Be cautious of any devices hooked up to the front of ATMs or keypads missing their Braille markings.

10.  Scholarship and Government Grant Flimflams – This scam claims that you or your child has won a scholarship or grant.  You just have to pay a processing fee or give them your SSN. 

Well, well, well.  All this is enough to make a person paranoid, isn’t it?  This is scary for sure. 

Thanks to Max Alexander from Reader’s Digest for reporting on all this information.  Be sure and check out the actual article.  It contains much more information than these points than I have highlighted to you.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy