For middle class stay at home moms, how do you afford it?

Question

I want to be a stay at home mom, but my husband doesn't make enough money. Any suggestions on what I can do for money and stay at home too? What do some of you do for extra cash?

Answer 1

Hi. My name is Lisa and I'm a stay at home mom to two wonderful children, ages 2 and 6. They keep me busy, but I love every minute of it!

I wasn't always a stay at home mom, however. Before having my second child, I had a great job that paid me well enough that I could afford childcare. But after having my second child, my income couldn't justify the cost of childcare any longer.

I have been searching for a work at home job for the past two years. This has proven very difficult to find, as most advertisements I've come across have been scams! That was until I saw an ad on a car that was parked at the zoo. I visited the website and requested more information.

I am so lucky to have found this wonderful opportunity to work from home with my kids by my side. Not only have I found a legitimate work at home job, but it has also helped me go GREEN and earn GREEN while doing it. Let me help you do the same!

Come visit me at www.MomsGoneGreen.Biz

Answer 2

Work yourself at a reputable job and be careful of some of these job sites posted. This can be a ploy to get you to spend money and then not get what they said they will give you. Its like getting free advertising on a site like Yahoo Answers. Be very careful in what you do and check everything out. I know a man and his wife hold jobs and get to share all responsibilities of raising and enjoying their children with no regrets. Go to the library and get a book on jobs that you can do at home if that is what you want to do. Only you and your husband can decide what is best for the both of you and what you both want out of life. Children are very expensive to raise with what they will have in the future. Accept all responsibilities maturely and you will have peace of mind in your life. ENJOY!!

Answer 3

i think more sahm's should offer some sort of daycare service, even if it was only for one or two children. usually moms have more flexible hours and if your prices are competitive with daycares you could do really well. my husband and i both have crazy schedules and are currently looking for someone who will be available as early as 6 am about 8 days per month. it is virtually impossible to find that in a daycare!

Answer 4

I tried over 18 home businesses in the course of 3 years so please forgive the length of this post but you will find it very informative. Learn from my mistakes! Also make sure to read all the way to the bottom because I have included a list of the top 10 work at home scams. I am a mother of two little girls who are actually tugging on my arm as I write this so I will try to be brief. Many people are looking for work from home companies. All the scams definitely create a big problem but also, there is a problem of people misunderstanding the difference between work from home "jobs" and work from home opportunities. There really are not work from home “jobs”. To get that you have to start working for a company in their offices first, then they MAY allow you to take the job home.

Most of the work from home opportunities that are legitimate offers are not an hourly pay type job. They are business opportunities that help you in starting your own business from your home. What you should do first is to decide if you are simply looking for an hourly rate type job or if you are looking for more of an opportunity for additional income such as what you would make in your own business being your own boss from home. Small home businesses have some small costs involved, less than $500 to start is reasonable and I would stay away from those wanting $1000-$5000. It doesn’t cost that much to start and run a home business so you shouldn’t pay it.

If you are coming across places that say free then I would RUN don’t walk the other way! They never are. I tried them many a times and 3 weeks later I had to buy this and 6 weeks later that. After 6 months these “free businesses” had cost me over $800 on average.

After trying 18 things I work about 18-25 hours per week for a National Medical Benefits Company. This is a nationally known and reputable home business which is what you need to make sure you are looking for. I have been with the company almost a year and a half now and I make over $3500 a month! In your first month, depending on how many hours you can work, I have seen people make anywhere from $500 to over $2500. And your income will increase each month because you get paid residual income as well.

The best part is they have 401(k), direct deposit, life insurance and a benefits package most of which you get from day one. In addition, there are no products, no hard selling or pushing, no cold calling, no home parties and no telemarketing! That was VERY important to me. I absolutely love working with them and I can't believe I am making what I am making and in so few hours per week. The neat thing is there are other people on your team that you work with so you are never alone. You have great team support and you get to know the other people on your team pretty well.

I was a bit apprehensive at first because I know a lot of companies are not legit but this company is the number one National Medical Benefits Company in the US. They are a member of the US Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Dental Plans and the owner of the company actually sits on the board of The Consumer Health Alliance to which we are also members. Also they were featured in “The New York Times”, “Wall Street Journal” “Time Magazine” “American Medical Review” and even in the May 2008 issue of “Parents Magazine”. Even “60 Minutes” did a big special on this home based business.

Even more then all this is they are accepted at over 100,000 retailers nationwide. These are fortune 500 companies like Sears, Target, K-mart, Rite Aid, CVS, Wal-mart, Publix and more. These companies would never work with a company that was anything less than reputable.

www.workathomeplus.net

TOP 10 WORK AT HOME SCAMS:

10. Craft Assembly

This scam encourages you to assemble toys, dolls, or other craft projects at home with the promise of high per-piece rates. All you have to do is pay a fee up-front for the starter kit... which includes instructions and parts. Sounds good? Well, once you finish assembling your first batch of crafts, you'll be told by the company that they "don't meet our specifications." No matter what you won’t get paid.

9. Medical Billing

In this scam, you pay $300-$900 for everything (supposedly) you need to start your own medical billing service at home. You're promised state-of-the-art medical billing software, as well as a list of potential clients in your area.

What you're not told is that most medical clinics process their own bills, or outsource the processing to firms, not individuals. Your software may not meet their specifications, and often the lists of "potential clients" are outdated or just plain wrong.

8. Email/Rebate Processing

This is a twist on the classic "envelope stuffing scam" (see #1 below). For a low price ($50?) you can become a "highly-paid" email processor working "from the comfort of your own home."

Now... what do you suppose an email processor does? If you have visions of forwarding or editing emails, forget it. What you get for your money are instructions on spamming the same ad you responded to in newsgroups and Web forums!

7. "A List of Companies Looking for Home workers!"

In this one, you pay a small fee for a list of companies looking for home workers just like you. The only problem is that the list is usually a generic list of companies, companies that don't take home workers, or companies that may have accepted home workers long, long ago.

6. "Just Call This 1-900 Number For More Information..."

Not much to say here. Don’t Call!

5. Typing At Home / Data Entry

Here's how it works: After sending the fee to the scammer for "more information," you receive a disk and printed information that tells you to place home typist ads and sell copies of the disk to the suckers who reply to you. Like #8, this scam tries to turn you into a scammer!

4. "Turn Your Computer Into a Money-Making Machine!"

Well, this one's at least half-true. To be completely true, it should read: "Turn your computer into a money-making machine... for scammers!"

This is much the same scam as #5, above. Once you pay your money, you'll be sent instructions on how to place ads and pull in suckers to "turn their computers into money-making machines."

3. Pyramid Schemes (this is NOT the same as Multi-Level Marketing MLM)

If you've heard of network marketing (like Amway, Mary Kay or Pampered Chef), then you know that there are legitimate MLM businesses based on agents selling products or services.

The problem arises when there is no legitimate product or service at all and it is all about finding new recruits and not only can you lose all your money, but you can be charged with fraud, too!

2. Chain Letters/Emails ("Make Money Fast")

They promise that all you have to do is send the email along plus some money by mail to the top names on the list, then add your name to the bottom... and one day you'll be a millionaire.

Actually, the only thing you might be one day is prosecuted for fraud. This is a classic pyramid scheme.

1. Envelope Stuffing

This is THE classic work-at-home scam. It's been around since the U.S. Depression of the 1920s and 1930s, and it's moved onto the Internet like a cockroach you just can't eliminate.

There are several variations, but here's a sample: Much like #5 and #4 above, you are promised to be paid $1-2 for every envelope you stuff. All you have to do is send money and you're guaranteed "up to 1,000 envelopes a week that you can stuff... with postage and address already affixed!"

When you send your money, you get a short manual with flyer templates you're supposed to put up around town, advertising yet another harebrained work-from-home scheme.

SO that’s the top 10.

Please beware of these scams. There are some legit home businesses out there so be careful. Look for companies in business over 10 years. Look for companies with a needed product or service, something you would be proud to represent. Look for companies that have a national reputation and are members of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Also, don't be hung up on the BBB either. Did you know, common misconception here, that the BBB is NOT a government regulated agency? That in fact, they are local independently owned franchises where anyone, who pays the right price, can be a member in “good standing”. This is true!

As for those of you who say…..”I want to work from home but I don’t want to have to pay for anything”. Well, that’s great! But it will never happen. Let’s be honest, there is no such thing as a free lunch. As we talked about above there is a difference between a job and a business. You should NEVER have to pay for a job….but again…chances of finding a home job are about 3%. At any rate, if it is a true honest home business you need to expect to pay….Mr. Walt Disney didn’t start the Disney empire “without paying for anything”. Neither did Mr. Sam Walton, owner of Wal-Mart.

If you want to learn about REAL home businesses visit www.workathomeplus.net. Good luck to you in your search. Also feel free to contact me at any time with your questions! [e-mail].

I should write a book! LOL Good Luck!

This answer has been chosen as a “Best Answer” 47 times!

Answer 5

You sacrifice.  We have a 4 year old daughter and another on the way in October.  I have not worked since January.  My husband goes to school full time during the day and works full time at night.  We only have one car which cuts a lot of cost.  We buy generic and stay in a lot more.  Rent movies instead of going out and eat in.  It is really hard, but it is not forever.  The time you get to spend with your children while they are young will be well worth it.  I became a seller on ebay.  That can bring in a lot more money than you would think.  Go to yard sales on Satuarday mornings, thrift stores, etc.  The USPS will actually come and pick up your items at your home and ship them for you.  Good luck!

Answer 6

Join homemakers community at http://besthomemaker.com and share your ideas

Answer 7

Eat at home. Don't ever shop for fun. Use the library more for books, tapes and movies. Plan outings to free events in your community and take your own picnic lunch or dinner with you. Do your own housework, yardwork. Learn to make minor repairs yourself. Grow a garden for fresh herbs, tomatoes, peppers and lettuces. Find your grocery outlet stores. Never over-pay for food.

For some cash... run other people's errands. Keep other people's children. Address holiday cards for busy working moms.

Answer 8

ebay, lots of shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, clip coupons, make my own laundry and dish soap, make my own baby wipes, leave the air conditioner on 76... good luck

Answer 9

i wouldnt even call myself middle class,,,,my husband is military.  i have been a stay at home mom for 11 years.  i was blessed with twins the first time out of the gate.  we live in a modest house,,,,both drive USED cars.  i have ONE pair of "good" jeans.  i sacrifice things so i can stay at home.  to me it is much more important for my kids and me.  there are many things you can do to help,,,,watch sale ads,,,clip coupons, use generic on things that dont really matter.  my number one thing is do NOT give in to your child needing everything ,,,right NOW.  my kids have a lot of clothes that come from a resale shop, which is MUCH  cheaper seeings how they grow out of them sooo fast.  if you put your mind to it you can make it work,,,it takes some sacrifice but you can do it and survive.

Answer 10

it is super hard.   We live an hour from a actual town.  So that cuts out me working,  because it would eat me up in gas and day care expences.  My husband is a logger and when it rains he is here at the house.  But i buy alot of genric and bulk stuff.  We have a store in the city called Save - A - Lot and I buy alot of stuff there.  The girls wear consignment store clothes.