Is Going Back to Work Really Worth It?by Marily | More from this Blogger 27 Apr 2006 04:47 PM Maybe you are a stay-at-home mom that has been thinking about going back to work to make a few extra dollars. You may have estimated the amount of money that you would could make and maybe you have been tempted by increasing your income. But have you stopped to consider all the money that you won't be pocketing? Before you do take the jump to go back to work, you need to consider the extra expenses working will cost you. Calculate just how much going back to work will cost you, and you can make a better decision about whether it's a good idea. Here are some additional costs you'll want to consider: 1. Childcare. The most obvious additional expense is of course childcare. The more children you have, the greater the expense. Childcare costs alone might rival a working mother's take-home pay. 2. Travel. Commuting to work costs not only money for gas, but also additional car maintenance, parking or toll fees, or even cab fare. 3. Eating out and fast food. When both parents work outside the home a family nearly always eats out more. It is often too time-consuming to eat home-cooked meals each night. In addition, working moms generally spend more on groceries, buying convenience foods for eating at home. 4. Looking the part. It depends on your job environment, but generally you will be spending more money on looking nice for work. This includes business attire, dry cleaning, hair care, and accessories you would not otherwise spend money on. 5. Your own breakfast and lunch. Do you expect to stop at a coffee shop every morning before work? Do you think you will eat out for lunch more often? What about snacking out of a candy machine? Ask yourself realistically how much you expect you will make these types of purchases if you go back to work. 6. No time for bargains. Once you are working it might be harder to shop around and look for good deals on anything from groceries, to clothes or household items. These considerations are not to keep you from going back to work if that is what you really want to do. Instead, use them to make an informed decision. If going back to work really won't add much money after all, it's best to know that before you get started. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Andrea M (2525) 28 Apr 2006 02:56 PMI know that as a mother of three, there is no way that it would make sense for me to go back to work! The cost of childcare alone would take most of my paycheck and plus.........I love staying at home with my children and not having someone else raise them!  LadyElizabeth (290) 28 Apr 2006 03:20 PMAlso add in the expenses of returning to work, additional medical care for your children. When your children are cared for by others, they almost always come into contact with more pathogens--virus, etc, and require more medical care and prescriptions. Unless your income far exceeds these expenditures, it most likely will not pay for a mom to return to work. Factor in the time taken away from your children and if that is worth it to you. Factor in your family finacial needs, because sometimes working moms have no choice and have to provide for their famiies. We brought a smaller house in a poorer neighborhood which allowed me to stay home and raise our children. When they grew up they told us how grateful they were that I had stayed home with them. It did indeed have a powerful effect upon their lives. It worked for us. Some families have grandparents or relatives that can help tend the children. Some moms just have to get outside of the home or they go crazy, some moms feel they need to be home, some moms are forced to provide for their families by working outside the home. My advice is to ask the Lord in prayer and talk to your family and make the best chocie for YOU. When at all possible, children benefit from a mom who is there for them and teaches them with loving care. Perhaps other ways to earn money at home can be discovered.  Nicole Allard (882) 29 Apr 2006 01:00 AMAwhile back I did think of quitting my freelancing career, and going back to my old 9-5. My fiance and I discussed it for some time. We quickly came to the conclusion that it would certainly not be worth it. I have none of the costs you have listed above. I have the freedom to work when and where I choose. I can take a day off to care for one of my kids if they are sick - guilt free. I don't have to get up early in the morning to get ready. I don't have to buy certain clothing. I am not nearly as tired each night as I was when I was working. Of course there are a few cons, but the best part is that I am doing what I want to. Writing for a living has been satisfactory for me. Working in an office is not my dream. I am a well-versed business woman with her dream career. Does it get any better than that? Community Tags Back to Work, business, Commuting, childcare, stay-at-home mom Discuss this article
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