Getting to know you........

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Hi and welcome to the forums

Could you drop your hours a bit or make them more family friendly instead of chucking the towel in completely? If things didnt work out for whatever reason it would be harder to get another job in this current economic climate.

LOts of positive posts already and I agree with what has been said. I work part time and feel like I have the balance right as I can be here for the kids and cook, clean etc which takes the pressure off DH, I can do money saving things like bake my own bread and have time to think through money puzzles that pop up (like how to afford things!)

Its been a long road but we have managed to pay off debt and save up and by rethinking our lives it has made us aware of the things that matter.

Good luck with your new adventure, keep posting, there are some great tips on here

Emmala

Hi Skintmum.....from another one!! I don't post lots on here but I read alot and the others are right, there are LOADS of great ideas on here, and the OS boards are very friendly, there is always someone to give advice!

I gave up teaching part time when I had my daughter 7 years ago, mainly because we had no family near us to help with childcare and if I'd gone back to work after having her (she is our second child) I would have had about £100 left at the end of the month after two sets of nursery fees and with a husband who travels away alot, and the demands of teaching (I was a head of two departments too) I didn't think the stress of working part time and raising the two kids was worth the money. So, here I am, seven years and a third child later, and I still don't miss working at all. We are lucky that DH has a very well paid job, and while things are getting much tighter money wise, I wouldn't have missed the time at home with the kids at all, yes we have gone without some things that many take for granted, but for us it has been worth it. Being a full time mum isn't for everyone, but it's all about weighing up your situation.....if you think you can afford to give up work then do, if you think that's the best thing for you and your family.

My top tips would be to check everything that goes out of your bank - do you really need it? if not, bin it (sky tv, for example) if not, can you find it cheaper? (car insurance, always shop around).Food budget - meal plan, write your list, take it with you and stick to it. Try to shop once a week so you don't need to pop to the shops for something......the one thing you go in for suddenly becomes a basket full!! I go at the weekend so that I have everything in for kids lunchboxes, then if we run out of something midweek, tough. Make friends with your freezer.....always keep some milk and bread in. And also, when you make something like bolognase, pad it out (extra veg, lentils etc) and use some as the base for a shepherd's pie, bung it in the freezer for another day. If you use formula, see if it's cheaper to order from the makers website. Try the value nappies - they may not look as posh, but Tesco and Sains own are really really good. Or try Lidl own nappies, I know lots of people who swear by them!

It is tough reducing your budget, but it's worth it, and you'll be amazed how proud of yourself you'll be when you go a week without throwing any food out because you planned so well!!! (sad but true!)

Good luck xxxx

Rummer

Hello and welcome

It sounds as if not working for a while will be better for you, at least for the immediate future. As recommended the debt free board will give good advice on cutting your bills back and take a look at all the info that is on the main website to make sure that you are paying as little as possible for your essentials.

The advice on this board is invaluable for running a home effectively and at low cost.

In the future you could consider returning to work and then maybe find a job that fits in better with your family.

quintwins

hello i'm a sahm aswell i have been since we had our twins in 2007 i love being at home with my kids, there are 5 of us (me, hubby 5 year old twins and a 2 year old) we have a £50 a week food budget so it is doable and this also includes any takeaways and nappies, we don't have pocket money as such as really we don't need we're not children so don't insist on buying stuff just because we want it, if it's needed we will buy it and if not that moneys better off in our savings account but were saving to buy a house so every spare penny counts

it may not be wise to leave work depending on your job if you intend on going back it's alot easier to get a job when you've got one imo however it's only money and your health is more important, we are all capable of adjusting and making the most of any situation

kippers

JulieGeorgiana wrote: »

So I think you should do exactly what makes you and your family happiest, and not worry about the fact that society makes us feel like we should be working. I can tell you I do not regret it in the slightest and I am sure you won't either...

Well Said:T:T:T:T:T

meritaten

Welcome to the OS board - friendly bunch (they are a bit eccentric but dont tell them I said so!)

my OH has never earned a large wage - his has always been under the national average! but, I found I could get by and if we needed extra money I did temporary, part time jobs! not as difficult to get as permanent ones - Ive done Office, Retail, Hospitality, Canvassing - you name it and I bet I have done it! Those few weeks or months really made a difference in the summer (holiday money) or christmas (pressie money). Its just a thought!
I do wish I had had the benefit of the Old Style board when my kids were small - I learned through bitter experience (two long miners strikes). But its amazing how you can cope with much less than you think when you are determined to!

Word of Warning - being OS becomes a way of life!!!! you can get addicted to the thrill of moneysaving! but it can also be very enjoyable.

narabanekeater

yes its doable as we have 3 under 7s. If you have a speciific questions then post them one of us with know the answer im sure. Ive found since being a SAHM I dont go out as much so don't need so much money. Theres loads of stickies for you to browse through with a cuppa. Welcome.

skintmum2012

Hi everyone thank you so much for all the replys. I am finding this site very addictive and it's already changed the way I am looking at our spending there is just so much good info and friendly people. To tell you the truth I think I would be a lot lot happier as a SAHM the thought of going back to work makes me feel sick. My son seems a lot more happy since I have been at home as well and gets quite upset when people talk about me going back to work. Also my Mum was looking after the kids and she was finding it very hard and the kids where getting more attached to her then me (Heart braking) It's going to be a challange to get used to our new Budget but I am looking forward to it I love watching money build up even if I am bad at saving it :S I don't like buying new clothes all mine are from car boots or charity shops same for hubby and kids. I use lots of the basics food wise. Where I go wrong is I buy lots and lots of random things. Can I ask what are the numbers at a bottom of a lot of peoples posts I am guessing they are to do with the challanges?

wannabee_in_credit

Hey
I only joined up last week but am completely addicted. I post on here and on debt free wannabe board. I am so excited and motivated about saving money and clearing debts, and being more o/s with money saving etc.
Sounds to me that you'd be happier staying at home - I think it's doable, and if you want to do it then go ahead. As others have said, maybe a little more time for the moneysaving and planning.
I work full time and am very time poor but can still manage - I've already cut £20 off my weekly shopping bill in the first week and am looking for ways to be less wasteful.
The people on these boards are just fabulous for tips and advice.


PS. I admire all sahm's - I think it's a really tough job, and as much as I love my children, it's just not for me. I'm not good enough at it.

skintmum2012

wannabee_in_credit It's not that your "not good enough at it" It's that everyone is diffrent. The only thing I have ever wanted to do is be a mum I never wanted a really good job. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I used to say a Mum. If I had wanted a carer I would do that. A happy mummy is a happy baby