Stay at home and do OS?

Hollysan · 20 February 2009 at 8:22AM

Morning everyone,

Up early this morning because I had a really bad nights sleep, brought on by reading OS!!!

I had been reading some of the inspiring threads and feeling somewhat down that I am struggling to do the OS thing properly these days. This is largely because

1. OH is away quite a bit during the week these days, due to work. He is enjoying the work more, which is good, but we all miss him, and it makes life harder with the day to day grind.

2. As well as working part time, I also do quite a lot of voluntary work which is very important to me, but time-consuming.

3. I also do freelance work at home (I am an accountant). Not much, but I have to find time for it.

So, sorry about the waffle, but what kept me awake was the revolutionary thought that perhaps I should give up work, and make up the difference by doing more freelance, but also find more time to be truly OS.

I earn about £400-£500 a month. The job is really badly paid, and I could earn twice as much per hour from freelance, but I would have to build it up.

I would be able to grow more of my own veg; I would be more successul if I had more time to put into it (as I have in the past when the children were younger).

I could do more ebay and shopping around to save money on food. I would batch cook more, freeze more. I would give up the cleaner!

Most importantly, I would have more time for the children. I feel that I always have so much to do, not enought time just to be with them.

What do you all think? Has anyone else done this? Am I being realistic?

Any thoughts most welcome,

Hollysan

thriftlady_2 · 20 February 2009 at 8:39AM

Well I'd say got for it;) When I became pregnant with my first child OH and I thought we'd be able to manage with me being at home for one year. 14 years later I'm still at home:)

There are lots of hidden costs to working -travel, clothes, childcare, lunches out etc

I think it is easier to watch the pennies when you are at home. You can shop around, make more from scratch, grow more, enjoy the simple pleasures with your kids. You can use the car less -I use mine for shopping, but usually only once a week.

My dad is an accountant who set up in private practice from his spare bedroom about 20 years ago now. He's never looked back.

tru · 20 February 2009 at 9:05AM

Go for it - I did and I love it

I must admit, I hung on to a work from home job (about 5 hours per week) which paid about £40, but I lost that at the end of last year.

I have more time to build my very small (but growing - slowly, lol) business and grow fruit and veg. And I walk or ride my bike to the shops.

Mr tru had a slight panic - which lasted for months :rotfl: - but he's calmed down now.

I haven't worked it out to the penny, but between the moneysaving (especially OSing), crafting and growing our own, I've pretty much covered my wage loss.

Like Thriftlady said, the hidden costs soon mount up. Don't forget to take those into account, you won't be losing at much as you think.

mgardner · 20 February 2009 at 9:28AM

[quote=Hollysan;189826by would ave more time for the children. I feel that I always have so much to do, not enought time just to be with them.

,

Hollysan[/quote]

For this alone I would say go for it. time with the kids is priceless, In later life emories are very precious, your kids wont remember the material things,
they will remember the things you said to them and the things you did together
wishing you all the best

Hollysan · 20 February 2009 at 9:29AM

Thank you, Thriftlady and Tru for your responses.

I already have about £1000 per year income from freelance work, and that is just what has come to me by recommendation, through friends. I live in the country and there are lots of small businesses around here so I am sure that if I put the word about, I would be able to build up some more. A spare room accountant is exactly what I want to be!

Good to hear that you have both done this and don't regret it. It had occurred to me that going to work is quite expensive! I have the diesel to think of as well, and as you say, Tru, you can cut down on the trips to and fro.

Are there any other things you can do to save money/earn some pin money?

Hollysan

trixietoes · 20 February 2009 at 9:41AM

I too say go for it. If for any reason you don't feel comfortable with your decision later down the line, just revert back to how you are (workwise) now.

We all think just because we make a decision we have to live with it forever, you don't. When I moved out of the UK people asked me 'what if you don't like it?' I'll come back home of course.

The best of luck to you in whatever you decide xx

s4mmy · 20 February 2009 at 9:42AM

None of us can tell you what is right for you and your family but we can explain what worked for us.
After we had our first ds I went back to work and found that there was very little quality to life so we made the decision that I gave up work. Our income was immediately cut in half!
The second car was sold, my overspending on clothes was reduced and I started to shop much more carefully but I never ever regretted it. .....along came ds2 and dd1.
These were the happiest years of my life because we had so much time to be together and I think that we all got to know each other so well.

Cornishpixie_2 · 20 February 2009 at 9:53AM

Hi, I don't miss work. I worked as a nurse till last Jan. I have 4 children, we manage, and money's a bit tight, but we can all eat well and still stick to a budget. It brings out the more creative side in me! What I would say though it's important yhou still find some time for you. I go early morning running, do an evening class and signed up for another course. Good luck:D

fifi_folle_2 · 20 February 2009 at 12:41PM

I was in the same kind of situation a while ago and decided to keep working. Now I feel that I missed most of my kids' childhood. All the money I earned was frittered away on stuff that we didn't need.
I eventually changed to be a full-time mum living os but wish I'd done it much sooner. I missed out on so much and you can never get that time back. It's not always easy but I wish I'd done it much sooner.
Good luck whatever you decide!

rachbc · 20 February 2009 at 12:52PM

If its what you want and can make it work financially then go for it.

I work - partly because we need the money but also cos I enjoy my job and manage to combine it with being there for my kids, cooking from scratch, keeping the house in a decent state, sewing and crafting, starting to grow veg, running a fledgling buisness and studying! In fact when I had 'more time' (on mat leave) I did less because I didn't have to be so efficient at using the time well - there was always tomorrow...

There have been crisis moments of course but for me its about changing my mind set - enjoying whatever it is I'm doing right now and making the most of it and not feeling guilty/ feelng that the grass is greener about the stuff I COULD be doing.

Good luck whatever you decide - but it sounds to me like you already know waht you want to do!

Reverbe · 20 February 2009 at 12:56PM

Holly sorry to stray off topic kinda but as regards being an accountant do you think it is possible to learn these skills? Particularly when one wasn't brilliant at maths at school - granted that was many years ago and things change also there are computers and calculators and software now.The reason I ask is there are a lot of jobs listed locally and online which need accountancy skills or are in accounts payable etc and it is sad to me that I cannot apply for these as well as all the other fields I am experienced in. I am not alien to dealing with invoicing and processing them for payment etc.

Many thanks and good luck with your decision!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Stay at home and do OS?

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free