Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Decisions...

After yesterday's sickness debacle, I'm seriously debating whether or not I should continue to work at the newspaper.
I'm just not sure that it was the best decision to make for me, my kids and the family in general.
I just did this calculator online that showed me that the actual amount of money I'm contributing to the house every month is only $300. That sucks!
I don't know.
You guys help me decide!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm, $300 doesn't seem worth it. Then again, depending on how much Bob brings in, $300 could be the difference between paying the mortgage or not paying the mortgage. But for only $300 a month, there seems to be other things you can do. You can write for Associated Content. If you write a bit then you can make some cash. Also see if the newspaper will take you on as a freelance writer, in the event that regular reporters go on vacation and they need somebody to cover.

Jessica said...

It's a tough decision. I'm sure I could come up with some other way to make $300.
I would feel bad about quitting, but at the same time, I feel like I really should. I don't know WHAT to do...obviously.

Meredith said...

This seems to be the guilty mother's dilemma...to work or not to work? For me it is not even just the money, but some adult interaction and recognition. I do some projects for my old work which isn't much money but just keeps me sane. I'd like to go back full time in 5 years...just not ready for it yet. Freelance sounds like a great option for you.

Leslie said...

I linked to your blog from my friend andrea's and thought your post so interesting as I recently saw a news piece on a similar topic. A stay-at-home mother might be paid as much as $134,121 for her contributions as a housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, janitor and CEO, among other functions!

Check these links out: http://www.salary.com/aboutus/layoutscripts/abtl_default.asp?tab=abt&cat=cat012&ser=ser041&part=Par499&isdefault=0
http://www.google.com/search?q=stay+at+home+mom+salary&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Anonymous said...

If daycare and transportation is taking up the bulk of your money, then I suggest quitting the job and staying home with the kids. They will benefit the most and you can go back to work when they are in school again, which is sooner than you think. I'm sure that you will be able to freelance to keep you busy and bring in probably more than you currently are after expenses.

Jessica said...

I'm terrible at quitting jobs. Terrible.
Except when I worked at the bakery for evil Aziz. That was an easy job to quit.
It's hard to quit on people you like.

Anonymous said...

Well, is it true that "I might be fired" or were you just saying that. If you think it's an issue, then maybe they think it's an issue too. But you know, they don't want to be caught discriminating against mothers. Maybe they wouldn't be upset. . .or at least it seems like they'd totally understand.

Jessica said...

I don't think I'd actually get fired. But I don't think that my bosses are too happy that I have to continually miss work to take care of my kids.
Which is why I'm starting to think this was a bad decision, coming back to work. because I can't just blow my kids off for work. I can't do it.

Meredith said...

Why not just leave and don't come back like at The Wherehouse or Julie with Chico's Tacos? :) They'll figure it out eventually...

Jessica said...

Heh.
I only wish that I had such a great reason to quit as "bad feet"

Chris said...

Are you counting gas and other incidental costs of working, like lunches (I don't know if you pack or buy) and transporting the kids to daycare?

Don't forget to factor in your mental health. Elizabeth could stay home with the kids, but I think it would drive her insane.

Jessica said...

Yep. Factoring in the cost of daycare, the cost of gas, lunches, sodas during the day, occassional drinks after work, wear and tear on the car, buying frozen pizzas to eat on those days when i am too tired from work to make a real dinner etc etc...
We end up with $300, maybe even less.
I'm sure I could find a way to make that $300 without traumatizing my kids any further.

Andrea said...

I thought of another deduction: copays and prescription costs when the kids get sick. If they aren't in daycare they probably won't get sick as often either.

Now how to get an extra $300 a month...do you have a webcam?

Just kidding!

Jessica said...

Webcam!?!? Scandalous!

Actually in the last two days I expanded my crochet business with Hyenacart...
You can browse it here
It links back and forth with the original site....
Here's hoping for traffic!