Going back to work after 8 years.

[lovehoney]

I've been a SAHM for the last 8 years and I'm trying to go back to work full-time. I have a third interview on Monday with a position that is similar to what I did 8 years ago.

I stopped working because my oldest, who was a 2 year old at the time, was getting ear infections constantly. At the time I had a temporary manager who was not super kid friendly - I was getting my work done but the clock was not getting punched to her satisfaction. I was using all of my sick time and some months was allowed to use my vacation time. She suggested I send him to a daycare for sick kids or get a sick kid nanny. At the time, that sounded horrific to me and with the stress I quit. Now that I have a few years of kids under my belt, I realize that it wasn't such a horrible idea after all - especially for ear infections.

It has been a struggle on one income, especially now that we have 3 children. I really need to get back in the workforce so we can pay for college.

Going back to work is expensive! On the high end, it is going to cost us $18,000/year off the top for childcare (daycare for DS16months, extended care and summer camps for DS6 and DS10). The cost for DS16months will go down a little bit as he gets older, but boy has daycare gone up in the last 8 years. Then there is parking/gas/car upkeep and clothes. I hope to make enough to still bring some money home, but wow - I didn't realize what I was doing cost so much.

So if you guys have any advice/experiences about going back to work after such a long time - please share. Also, what other expenses should I look out for.

Wish me luck on the interview!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Good luck on the interview. Hope it works out for you.

 

[crjack]

OP, good luck with the job prospect. I worked full time with my two children for 5 years and then went part time.

My advice would be to do your best to plan meals. Take out can really add up but it's hard to come home to a hungry house without some prep or planning.

Also, I made sure to contribute to my 401K and a college plan right from my paycheck. We also had a large daycare bill but since those two things were our priorities we funded them first and learned to live with whatever was left over after expenses.

Build up your wardrobe slowly and mix and match pieces. Kohls, JC Penney, etc can be great with sales.

Watch your lunch or morning coffee expenses....another area that small amounts of money can add up.

Best of luck to you.

 

[QVCshopper]

Good luck with the interview. Just to toss another idea out there, have you thought about working nights? I work part-time at night and swear I come out almost as good as if I worked full-time and paid for day care and summer camp. I watch the kids during the day and DH watched the kids on the nights I work. Yes, I'm up late, but it offers the flexibility we want. Snow days aren't a problem and neither are two hour delays and days off from school.

I worked full-time after having my DD and it was tough, especially being pregnant with a seven month old. I hardly remember it. I quit my full-time job and went part-time when I had my DS (DD was only 16 months old). Be sure to meal plan, share drop offs, stay organized, and keep up on the laundry.

Whatever you decide, best of luck! My youngest will go to kindergarten next year, so I'm debating going back to work more or having another child. Time will tell.

 

[lovehoney]

Good luck on the interview. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks.

 

[churchpilot]

Best wishes and pixie dust for the perfect job.

 

[lovehoney]

OP, good luck with the job prospect. I worked full time with my two children for 5 years and then went part time.

My advice would be to do your best to plan meals. Take out can really add up but it's hard to come home to a hungry house without some prep or planning.

Also, I made sure to contribute to my 401K and a college plan right from my paycheck. We also had a large daycare bill but since those two things were our priorities we funded them first and learned to live with whatever was left over after expenses.

Build up your wardrobe slowly and mix and match pieces. Kohls, JC Penney, etc can be great with sales.

Watch your lunch or morning coffee expenses....another area that small amounts of money can add up.

Best of luck to you.

I was thinking the meals might be hard too! I've been watching the "eat at home" thread here on the budget board and it is very encouraging.

I will have to start researching where to put the money for college.

I love Kohls and I have a JC Penney close to my home. Those are excellent suggestions.

The last time I worked there were 5 different Starbucks kiosk at my workplace. I will really have to watch that expense!

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[lovehoney]

Be sure to meal plan, share drop offs, stay organized, and keep up on the laundry.

That laundry one will be the hardest. I think it is time for DS10 to learn to use the washer.

 

[lovehoney]

Best wishes and pixie dust for the perfect job.

Thank you!!

 

[churchpilot]

Had to put my thinking cap on....as far as daycare expenses....see if your husband can sign up for a childcare spending account. It may be too late for him this year, but when you find employment, see if you can. Have them crunch the numbers for you because you really won't miss the money in your check. In the past it has been pre-tax dollars (same as for a medical spending account) and it makes a huge difference. Ross, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx are excellent places to find clothing, as well as Goodwill (if you are willing to spend some time and touch every piece of clothing in there). Children's consignment stores are also excellent options. Don't know what city you will be working in, but if it is one of the larger areas, look at ride share so you can share the expense of operating and parking a car. Since you won't be in your house during the day, you can keep the thermostat lower/higher, depending on the season and clip those coupons because they do add up to the cost of 2-4 lunches a month. Your children have obviously been your priority for 8 years, and this is just a new exciting chapter for you and the rest of your family. As far as colleges, I am from Texas and would love for my kids to go back there for college, but that probably won't happen. My husband has been paying into Auburn University (his alma mater), so when our kids are ready to go, their tuition costs are fixed. We pay now, but that guarantees us a known rate. I know, kind of risky if your kids change their minds and want to be rock stars!!!! Hope you continue to get some more great ideas from fellow Disers.

 

[Pigeon]

Best of luck with this.

I didn't stop working when the kids came along. Yes, daycare and aftercare are expensive. We found a very fine in-home daycare that was perfect for our situation. She was considerably cheaper than the daycare centers around here, and was warm and loving. My kids still adore her and have great memories of her house.

I also think the pp's suggestion about thinking about working nights isn't a bad one, depending on your field. We are lucky in that dh is a teacher, so that summers and most school vacation weeks were covered. Summer camps are really expensive, and it's stressful to patch them together. I watch my colleagues doing this and it makes the lousy salary he makes teaching a little easier to take.

You have to really be organized. I do a lot of freezer cooking, and I also prep many meals over the weekend. It's very tough to work all day, come home and slap a decent dinner on the table and then rush out to various lessons and practices, with homework in there, too.

I know it must seem daunting. But also focus on the benefits beyond the immediate salary that isn't eaten up by child care. You might get improved insurance, and for me a biggie was the retirement contribution.

 

[princesslily]

Good luck!!!!!! I am trying to get back into the workforce after 10 years also!!! I have my first interview today!!

 

[lovehoney]

I also think the pp's suggestion about thinking about working nights isn't a bad one, depending on your field.

I know it must seem daunting. But also focus on the benefits beyond the immediate salary that isn't eaten up by child care. You might get improved insurance, and for me a biggie was the retirement contribution.

Because of my field and DH's many late hours, working nights will not work for our situation.

Thanks for the focus info. My DH's insurance had a big increase/loss of benefits this year, so having insurance as well might help. Retirement contribution is a biggie too!

Don't know what city you will be working in, but if it is one of the larger areas, look at ride share so you can share the expense of operating and parking a car.

I was thinking about looking into this. The only problem I have is that I am a Texan and I really like having my car available. I think it is an independence/Lone Star thing. I will have to get over it.

Good luck!!!!!! I am trying to get back into the workforce after 10 years also!!! I have my first interview today!!

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Just wanted to say good luck!

I am in the same position - SAHM for nearly 10 years. I have been job hunting part-time for about 2 years (with no success, but I will admit I have been very picky about what I aplly for), and have gone back to school in the meantime. I am in a teacher's certification program at this point, and expect to have my certification in another 3-4 semesters.

One other thing, even if the current job doesn't work out, keep your eye on the daycare pulse. You never know when something will come along, and it will be a lot less stress if you already have looked into your care options.

Hoping all goes well for you, and if you get the job, that it's a smooth transition for your whole family!

 

[QVCshopper]

I'm fortunate and get a company match on my 401(k)--100% on the first 6%. At first, I didn't work 1,000 hours/year, but now I do and can contribute. So, I'm saving 50% of my pay into the 401(k) to catch up for lost time.

OP, since you specifically mentioned saving for college, check out's Fidelity's college savings credit card. You get 1.5% into a 529 plan for your kids on everything you charge. I'm grandfathered at 2%, but we easily get an extra $30-$40/month into my kids' college savings plan.

 

[lovehoney]

Just wanted to say good luck!

One other thing, even if the current job doesn't work out, keep your eye on the daycare pulse. You never know when something will come along, and it will be a lot less stress if you already have looked into your care options.

Hoping all goes well for you, and if you get the job, that it's a smooth transition for your whole family!

Thanks! Great advice about watching daycares. The price really shocked me when I started looking.

OP, since you specifically mentioned saving for college, check out's Fidelity's college savings credit card. You get 1.5% into a 529 plan for your kids on everything you charge. I'm grandfathered at 2%, but we easily get an extra $30-$40/month into my kids' college savings plan.

Thanks, I will look into it.

I love the budget board here on the DIS. It is great to have a place to get such good advice and suggestions. Here is a great big . Thank you.

 

[clh2]

Don't forget - YOUR new employer may offer flex benefits for daycare too - and with your anticipated childcare expenses, definitley sign up if you can.

Now - for meals, there is a great cookbook - Go get this cookbook (B&N can get it for you) for ~$15. This is one were you prepare 3 meals at a time, freeze them, and then taw them the day before you need them, and then cook them the night you want to eat them. Doing something like this will cut down on your stress signficantly.

Now...good luck with that interview!

 

[lovehoney]

Don't forget - YOUR new employer may offer flex benefits for daycare too - and with your anticipated childcare expenses, definitley sign up if you can.

Now - for meals, there is a great cookbook - Go get this cookbook (B&N can get it for you) for ~$15. This is one were you prepare 3 meals at a time, freeze them, and then taw them the day before you need them, and then cook them the night you want to eat them. Doing something like this will cut down on your stress signficantly.

Now...good luck with that interview!

Is it this book?
http://www.amazon.com/Fix-Freeze-Feast-Prepare-Serving/dp/1580176828

 

[irishfanx4]

I just went back to work after 10 years so I totally understand. Love being back at work but it too has taken many adjustments!! Good Luck with your interview!!! Hope you find the perfect job that makes you happy!!

 

[Sadie22]

Good luck with the interview. I know how hard it can be.

It's really important to consider not only the benefits of working but the costs of working. If you will make a considerable sum from employment and will have benefits such as 401k matching then it probably will be worth it. A lot can depend on the size and culture of the workplace, as well. If after day care and transportation costs and the additional stress of dropping off and picking up and what to do about snow days or sick days, you end up making little or nothing, it may be too expensive for you to work outside of the home.

My children are grown but I work at home as a transcriptionist. Wahm.com is a forum where a lot of these types of issues are discussed as well as some job ideas. Just another thing to consider.