Stay at Home Moms

[Kangacoo]

As a mom to be planning to stay at home I am curious if many other moms are able to stay home in these economic times.  Is this a concern to other local mom's?

I am currently starting my own business to bring income into the house.  I was laid off from a 100k/yr job which clearly put a cramp on our finances.  My unemployment will run out after the baby arrives so unless my business takes off I will find myslef going back to work.  This is not what i want.  I have always wanted to be home and raise my children.

I would love to hear stories of other stay at home moms.  Especially if you have your own work from home business.  Please share your triumphs and set backs and any advice.

Yours in success!

Katie

[MrsGurt]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 12:26 PM

I'm a Melaleuca Rep...having just started and not having much time to devote to it, it's not exactly lucrative for us right now, but I personally know people bringing in thousands a month on it (and have even spoken to people who now bring in a six figure salary doing it). The potential is there.

However, I've been a stay at home mom since my first child was born over five years ago, and was basically a "housewife" for a few years prior to that. Aside from taking a few odd jobs here and there out of boredom, I've stayed home since getting married at 17. We're far from living in luxury and many months we're living paycheck to paycheck (though that has more to do with extenuating circumstances than my husband's salary). We didn't begin TTC until we were 100% certain I would be staying home with our children, especially because we have always planned on homeschooling. It takes sacrifice sometimes, but it's well worth it. We know that my husband's income will increase greatly when he's out of the Navy (another year and a half to go!), so right now it's just a matter of "getting by". It can be difficult to "get by" on a single military income in southern CA, but we manage.

Bottom line is to follow your heart and your maternal instincts. If you don't want to leave your baby to go back to work, don't. That's time you can never get back and it goes by so fast.

[icook]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 12:59 PM

I teach private violin and viola lessons. Fortunately we live in an area that hasn't quite felt the economic pinch like other areas have (yes gas and groceries have gone up, and real estate isn't what it used to be, but there's a lot of $$ in this area), so business for me is quite good. In fact, I've been turning people down and passing them on to other teachers! I just plan my lessons around my kids' nap times and when my husband can be home to keep them occupied. There is a balance there, you just have to find what is right for you and your family.

[nina722]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 1:04 PM I wish you the best of luck with your new business .

[mom2aliltater]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 2:28 PM

I am a stay at home mom! However, we recently joined MonaVie.  I have been taking the product for some time & can see the benefits of it ... so, we came on board to sell it.

Let me know if you want any info about it.  It's great!

What are you doing from home?

[homestylesmom]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 2:33 PM

I am a stay at home mom as well.  It is tough to make ends meet, but my husband and I made the choice to homeschool our four kids and obviously that means I stay at home.  I am a representative with a company called Signature Homestyles.  It has been a great source of extra income as well as an awesome way for me to get out of the house a couple nights a week.  If anyone is interested, we have a $25 Start Up Special.  You can check out my website: www.signaturehomestyles.biz/rebecca.

[CariO.]

Oct. 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM

I gave up a very good salary to stay home when my first child was born in 2005.  I'm fortunate that my husband has a very good income, so for the time being I'm a SAHM and my career is on hold.  Raising our girls is bringing so much joy to my life!

[Avon_Mommy]

Oct. 23, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Hi!  I am a stay at home mom also.  I started selling Avon about 6 months ago.  I am not making a full time income yet, but I am still building my business.  I live in a small town so I don't have as much oppurtunity as some people would in larger cities.  I also have a 3 year old & usually do not have anyone to watch him so I can spend time out in my community selling.  I am marketing my online Avon website & have started picking up extra there.  With Avon you will earn 20-50% of what you sell.  You're earning potential depends on how much time and effort you want to put in to it.  It only costs $10 to get started with Avon, so it's a 'no loose situation'.  Even if you only sell enough to get you're products free you have saved a significant amount of money. 

Avon isn't like a lot of other companies.  It is over 120 years old, everyone has heard of Avon, most of us have used it, & it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  People are more willing to try a new product when they know that they can get a refund or exchange.

Let me know if you, or anyone else reading this, are interested in buying or selling Avon.

Kim

www.youravon.com/kwade3641

[OliviaOma]

Oct. 26, 2008 at 5:06 PM

I work part time. I teach 2nd grade. I work Wed-Friday. It's great. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. It'll be nice with baby #2 on the way.

[rcolby7400]

Oct. 3, 2010 at 6:37 PM

My children are grown now, but i started living frugally when they were small so i could stay home with them.  One way to save tons of money on groceries is to cook in bulk and freeze up what you don't eat.  The other way is to buy store brands of foods.