AngieS

Yes, we have money put back for emergencies. I'm sure it would go quickly though. I do need to do a mock run of this. :) Good idea. Thank you.

JulieR

Just thinking about what would be helpful to me...
- Dogwalking (and related services)
- Mending / hemming clothes (I really hate to do that)
- Grocery shopping
- Weeding (which your son could also do)
- Periodic housekeeping help (such as when overnight company is coming)
- Housesitting / watering plants and feeding cats

I'm sure there are more but that's what's coming to mind for me.

Also, my friends are always looking for help making costumes and things for their kids. Maybe that's some custom work you could do, if you are interested or talented in that area?

raedar63

Check out grocerygame.com, you pay a small fee for the service but it is really helpful in getting you started on the whole coupon thing. You need to save up several weeks of newspaper coupons before you start . There is a book I read .Coupon mom guide , The library should have it.Sure wish I could stay home even though the kids are grown,I get so tired of working UGH....
Here is a link to the book amazom has used ones for a few cents, check ebay too the book have awesome money saving tips.

http://www.amazon.com/Coupon-Guide-C.../dp/1583333681

AngieS

You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you make this transition. Five years ago I quit my job and started my own business. My income at that point was 25% higher than my husband's, but the damage my career was doing to my health and my family made my final decision easier.

The savings alone added up to much more than I originally thought...although there was some increased costs for heating the house during the day while I was now home more and for having lights on more often.

First the practical....It sounds like you have a good handle on where you will save money, but have you really looked at your budget? So that you know exactly what is needed every month, plus allowance for emergencies? Don't forget that you will still be going places and using gas...and as you will have more time for your projects you need to make sure that you have an allowance for that.

Can you make ends meet without any income from you?

If so, can you wean yourself off of your earnings, gently, by paying yourself your first unemployment check in full, then each subsequent check put an increasing portion into savings to build an emergency fund? That will give you some cushion while helping you wind down your expenditures.

Now the faith....

Start with a prayer or meditation that your heart and mind will be open to finding your path that will help you provide for your family and fill you with joy...

Then start making a list of all the things you love to do. The things that make your heart sing. Your kids, sewing, gardening, painting, cleaning, etc..... Then separate them onto different sheets of paper and brainstorm ways that you can do any of those things to make money. Could you do a daycare? Can you start a community garden on your property? Can you teach your arts?

With an open heart and mind, the answers will come and you will create exactly what you and your family need.

Love and Blessings.[/quote]

Thank you. I love the ideas that you have given me. I also appreciate knowing others feel the same. :) God has done so many things in our lives. We were blessed with 5 beautiful children and I think we should care for them the best way that we can.

There was a little 2 year old boy murdered over the weekend. Breaks my heart. I believe the way they talk they suspect the father's girlfriend. Just sad-little boy had blunt force trauma to the head and body. :( Just horrible!

Hugs,
Angie

lvaughan

I admire all women that choose the well being of their children over all else. I was a stay at home Mom and my daughter is a stay at home Mom now with four little girls. I have found that the more a woman is willing to do away from the home the less ambitious the husband seems to be. At first my daughter had a difficult time with that concept, but after standing up to her husband when he suggested she work outside the home she found that he was willing to do more. My husband has always had two jobs, right now he has three and does a fourth sporadically. All the while getting his Bachelors degree and two Masters degrees. My SIL will graduate with his Bachelors degree on Saturday while he has worked two jobs their whole married life. It is my belief that men need to have the burden of taking care of the family to really be the man he needs to be. But I also think a woman needs to put her children before herself to be the woman she needs to be. I'm sure this will be an opinion that will be inflammatory for many. Hopefully I will be allowed to have my opinion without being flamed as I'm sure you also have your opinions that are based on your beliefs.

LovinMySoldier

I know that you don't want to do daycare since you have several kiddos already but have you thought about doing before/after school care. I did this for awhile and loved it. I had a little first and second grader. They would come to my house around 6:30 and they would be off to school at like 7:45ish. So I basically fed them breakfast and made sure they got their teeth brushed and what not. And made it on the bus safely. Then some days I also watched them after school. 3-5ish. Fed them a snack and helped with homework. And then the occasional half day. She paid me 10 dollars a day. 20 if I had them twice in one day. My son was 3. So it left me with most of my day to be with just him. It was an extra 200-400 a month. Not a ton but just enough for a little extra.
Anyways just an idea for a little extra and it wouldn't be a ton more hassle. Unfortunately it is almost summertime. But definitely something to look into next school year.

I also had a friend that babysat the graveyard shift. Kiddo got there that evening. She got him ready for bed and then he was picked up first thing in the morning. I almost think that the hours worked where she didn't even feed him. All depends on if you have room though for an extra bed.

AngieS

Thank you Thank You!! I just called the library and they have the book in another city and they are going to call me in a few days if they can get it in. :) That will save me money right there. ;) Thanks-I looked it up and the video looks really neat. I am going to either get this from the library or buy it. :)

AngieS

lvaughan and Lovingmysoldier,

Thank you. I appreciate your responses. :) I too think it's so worth it to get to be with the kids. They are growing up so fast and I feel like I'm missing out on so much.

Cybrarian

I am a media specialist in a Christian school, just want to make you aware of some things to check into. I don't know if this is a law in all states, but in Florida homeschooled students have the option of playing sports, being involved in band/choir, or taking a class [especially high school] that a parent doesn't feel confident in teaching. There are some fees, but it is a great way to combine both worlds if it is feasible. I'm not sure if this is true with public schools or just private, but we have several homeschooled students involved in various ways. We have a very strong parent homeschool association in our area, and we are also partnered with a university model school that combines homeschooling and private school. I know this isn't what you're seeking now, but down the road it may be something for you to consider instead of all or nothing private education. I do want to say the Internet is very important for homeschooling; going to the public library for this is one solution, but having it at home opens a wealth for both you & your husband as the teachers and your children as a curriculum and curriculum support tool. In our area, and I believe most public libraries have databases that are available to their patrons. These can be used at the library, but many offer them to their patrons from their home computers with an active library card. Really investigate the Parent home school association aspect as this is a tremendous resource in many ways. From exchanging curriculum materials to field trips, to inforamtion and contacts. One more thing, be sure you are connecting with a school to have your kids participate in testing each year. This helps validate what you are doing at home, gives you an unbiased record if you ever have your children re-enroll in a private or public school, and gives you a comprehensive snapshot of your child's academic progress, strengths and areas to develop. You want a school that uses a national testing program such as the SAT [Stanford Achievement Test-this is not the same as the SATs for college], not one that has been developed by the state you are in because schools teach to the test for those. You will always be glad for the time with your children and so will they!

AngieS

Our oldest is still in a private school but our other 3 boys the twins (10 years old) and our 7 year old are in public school. They are around kids that have horrible mouths and have said things that I didn't hear of until I was married! Seriously! Even the principal that we talked to about some other things was amazed at what these children do and say.

The part of them changing that bothers me is the I don't care about anyone/anything mentality. I want them to care about their brothers and their sister. They have gotten mean and hateful. They are just so different than they were. It is hard to be around them some days. That is sad. I want to get them back. :cry:

Sorry.