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Over the summer, we are going to need an extra $300 a month. Give or take a few bucks.
I have been a stay at home mom for the past 6 years. And I was thinking about going out to find a temp job or something for the 2 months that we need the extra money for. BUT, this would require me to buy a whole new wardrobe. (yes, really..i have been wearing sweatpants for the last 5 years..literally, and have grown out of a lot of my "before sahm" clothes:scared Can't do retail where I would be on my feet all day and would just need to buy a new pair of black pants or something..b/c I recently fell and cracked my ankle so it is very painful to stand and walk for long periods of time. so this is an office job i am looking in to.) And as I was shopping around today, I easily had $400 worth of clothes in my basket...and that was one week's worth of clothes, plus shoes. Mind you..I am in the process of losing the weight and have already lost 30 lbs. So I also, can't fathum spending this money on clothing that will not even fit *hopefully* at the end of the summer. And this $400 is more than 1/2 of what we even need for the "extra money".
Now..DH can work overtime at his place now, and make a lot more an hour for his 8 hours, as apposed to my $8 hr. They will pay him time and 1/2 on $15 an hour. PLUS, we won't be spending as much on gas..b/c he will already be there. And it would be less wear on our cars. But more wear on poor DH. WHO does NOT like working doubles!
We do have $4500 in savings, and could use that. But we DON't Want to.
What makes more sense to you? Should I just buy the clothes and go get a job? Or should DH just work an overtime shift maybe twice a month? Is this asking to much of DH?
What makes more sense?
BTW: Although, this is incrediably shallow..my self esteem is Very low right now. And If I do go out to work, I want to Look nice. And being a bigger size, I need to shop where clothing is a bit more expensive. I have checked thrift stores, but havne't seen anything nice enough, that fits well. Just thought i would add that tid bit. Since thrift shore shopping would be out of the question.
Thanks in advance!
Answer:
Do you really need 5 differnet sets of clothing? Can you not make do with 2 pairs or pants/ skirts and mix and match tops? Get basics that intermix a lot and you can really strecth a few pieces.
What about trying eBay for some clothing purchases?
Have you looked into the office type poistions around you? Do you know what dress code may or may not be needed?
What else could you do that wouldn't involve working in an office? Can you babysit/ childcare? A newspaper route early in the mronings before others are awake?
Perhaps you could find something to do and your hubby could just work one double a week, perhaps two in order to meet your csh requirements between the two of you.
Can you cut expenses any? Even if it's only temporary for a month before and the two months you need the extra cash?
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You could potentially check with an organization like
They help women dress for a career.
Maybe even check places like Walmart, Fashion Bug, TJ Max. They all tend to have dress clothes at reasonable prices.
I know you said that your self esteem is low at this point, but I have found that once I start a new job I get more comfortable and ALWAYS realize that no one else really has a lot of money to spend on a ton of work clothes either. (And this is from someone who worked as an Interior Designer!)
Anyhow, I always made due with a couple of Dark colored pants and a few blouses and sweaters. (I hate dresses and skirts.) People don't notice too much if you re-wear the dark pants later in the week. Usually everyone has like a ton of dark pants that they wear all week anyhow!
You could get your hair trimmed up at Master Cuts (I often find $5 coupons to get my hair cut). Then put on a little make up. I always go to the fancy make up counters in the Department stores for a make over to find out what colors are popular and look best. Then I just buy them at the drug store for MUCH less!
Of course I suppose it would not hurt if your DH is willing to pick up the extra shifts. My DH and I have gone back and forth on this issue too. He feels it is more important for me to be home with our son than for me to make a little cash that DH could make on his own if he puts in a little more work. That's just his opinion, but he know I would go back to work if I had too.
It all depends what works out best for you and your family! Good luck! I know it's not an easy decision.
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If you spend $400 for clothes, you've eaten well into any reason to go back to work. Just buy a few things. Add to it as you bring in more money and can find good sales. That way, too, you are buying as your body is shrinking. No need to get a lot at first. Just a couple of good, neutral pieces that you can mix and match. Ross is a great place to save money, if you have one nearby. For $8 an hour, you could easily find something that doesn't require a new wardrobe - even fast food is paying better. Have you looked into any customer service jobs where you can work on the phone? For instance, our cell phone company, Alltel, is always needing operators/customer service people. In this day and age, there are many jobs, even in offices, that don't require dressing up, especially if you're in the office of a warehouse or something along those lines. I know it would be so exciting to buy a bunch of new clothes, especially with nice goals in place, plus losing weight, but you would be defeating your purpose. Talk to some temp agencies before you buy much - I'm sure they can help you find a casual atmosphere.
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I agree about trying someplace like Wal-Mart (even Kohl's they have sales all the time- I got a pair of nice black pants for my DH's grandma funeral for $12- originally $40) or Target. I've noticed that our local Target has tons of plus size clothing in the 75% off section. Someone else mentioned ebay- you could probably find a lot that is a steal for work clothes!
If you get about 2 pairs of pants and 2 nice skirts and about 6 or so interchangeable shirts- you would be fine with that. I have a little bit of a problem spending $400 on clothes that may not fit you within a few months (congrats on the 30 lbs!) since you have been losing weight. Maybe find 1 nice outfit now for interviews, buy a few new reasonable pieces of makeup- a little bit of makeup adds a ton of confidence (I also agree about a haircut too!).
Good Luck!
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$300/month isn't *that* much... can you cut down and save out of your budget that you have now? Can you cut down on your grocery bill? Internet bill, cut it off for the summer? Going out/spur of the momen expenses? Sell some household items/clothes that you're not using on Ebay?
Since you won't shop at thrift stores, even a basic wardrobe for a new job will add up.. and chilcare expenses, gas/bus fare, etc.. I would try to take in an extra child for the summer. No new clothing needed for that one..
Good luck!
Answer:
I think your dh should work a little extra. He could go in early by an hour every day or at least a few days. My dh makes more in overtime per hour than I would make in a day so it doesn't make since for me to get a job. You can try to help him by packing him little treats and love notes to make him feel appreciated.
Answer:
O.K. If I understand this right..........You will need only $300 a month over the summer only? If so, that's say 3 months tops.....$900 total. If you work, you are going to spend $400 on clothes, which is almost half of what you will need for the summer months. I know you said you didn't want to touch the $4500, but why not take the $900 you will need out of the $4500, and have DH work a couple of double shifts every week and put the extra OT $$$ back into savings to replenish what you took out? It may take a while, but it would allow you to still be a SAHM during the summer, not spend the $$$ on work clothes, and no extra $$$ on gas. Just a suggestion.............
ANother thing to consider...........You working the part-time temp job will effect your taxes next year when you file, not to mention the $$$ you would be throwing away in clothes and gas.
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Originally Posted by momof2boys in il
O.K. If I understand this right..........You will need only $300 a month over the summer only? If so, that's say 3 months tops.....$900 total. If you work, you are going to spend $400 on clothes, which is almost half of what you will need for the summer months. I know you said you didn't want to touch the $4500, but why not take the $900 you will need out of the $4500, and have DH work a couple of double shifts every week and put the extra OT $$$ back into savings to replenish what you took out? It may take a while, but it would allow you to still be a SAHM during the summer, not spend the $$$ on work clothes, and no extra $$$ on gas. Just a suggestion.............
ANother thing to consider...........You working the part-time temp job will effect your taxes next year when you file, not to mention the $$$ you would be throwing away in clothes and gas.
I think this says it all!
Forget about working unless you are willing to do something like babysitting in your home or cleaning houses maybe. I made good money with my cleaning business. Your client supplies the cleaners, you dont need special clothes and its all under the table. I made 90 dollars a day and my only expense was my gas. I would do it now but I would have to pay child care for two kids/
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If it's just for the summer I would look into maybe babysitting the neighborhood kids while school out or something like that. I definately wouldn't by clothes before you got a job and If it's only a part time gig, you should be able to find a few staples and mix and match for much less than $400, at Walmart or etc. And your dh could still work a couple doubles to pad your savings.