Looking for suggestions

[DisGeebs]

Happy New Year Disboards!!! I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy 2012.
I was hoping that people can give me some suggestions about ways to save and/or make money. Every little bit helps.
I am in the process of figuring out if I can quit my job and not work... at least not have to get a job before I leave the old one type thing. I know that in this economy, it might take a while to find something else so I want to be prepared for a few a months of 1 salary.
There is only my DH and I (and most likely will always stay that way). We have a car payment and mortgage and all that. Our current bills aren't too bad (there are ways to skinny a little which I will do). I have done the tag sale route to get rid of extra things and will do that again. I coupon as much as I can where I am from and watch sales, have a coin jar, etc. We aren't really extravagant people.. but we do like a few trips, etc. I don't mind saving up.
Any ideas out there??? Thanks for any help.

 

[ilovemk76]

Happy New Year Disboards!!! I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy 2012.
I was hoping that people can give me some suggestions about ways to save and/or make money. Every little bit helps.
I am in the process of figuring out if I can quit my job and not work... at least not have to get a job before I leave the old one type thing. I know that in this economy, it might take a while to find something else so I want to be prepared for a few a months of 1 salary.
There is only my DH and I (and most likely will always stay that way). We have a car payment and mortgage and all that. Our current bills aren't too bad (there are ways to skinny a little which I will do). I have done the tag sale route to get rid of extra things and will do that again. I coupon as much as I can where I am from and watch sales, have a coin jar, etc. We aren't really extravagant people.. but we do like a few trips, etc. I don't mind saving up.
Any ideas out there??? Thanks for any help.

The easy way to figure this out is to put your entire paycheck into an account for the next couple of months and see how it goes.

Why quit your job before getting the job you want.? It is easier to get a job when you have a job.

 

[Natalie's Mommy]

The easy way to figure this out is to put your entire paycheck into an account for the next couple of months and see how it goes.

Why quit your job before getting the job you want.? It is easier to get a job when you have a job.

both of these!!!

 

[DisGeebs]

I know it would be easier to get another job while I have one already ..but there is some writing on the wall type thing and the stress is taking a toll on my health and family, etc. I really don't know what I want to do for a living type thing either.. just need some time to clear my head. Its hard figuring it out when you work 80+ hours a week.
I do like the ides of living off of the one paycheck for a while and see how it goes.. if it doesn't work and I have to stay in the current job, it will at least increase the savings!
Thanks for the idea... anyone else?

 

[mrspaha]

I understand the stress and toll on health, etc. that some jobs bring on -- but, you might have worse stress and more toll on your health if you're unemployed for an extended period of time. If at all possible, I'd be inclined to keep on working while looking for a new job.

 

[QVCshopper]

We ended up living off one salary before I quit my job to stay home with the kids. It wasn't too bad, and taught us about saving money and budgeting. Then, I immediately ended up getting a great part-time gig and have been doing that for the past five years, still mostly just living off my hubby's salary.

Anyway, I just want to chime in that while staying home sounds *wonderful* it can be quite boring, especially if you are doing it without any real goals, hobbies, children, etc. I bet it would be old in a couple weeks... So say the ladies who go on maternity leave six weeks before the baby is born. I would have a backup plan in place, whatever that is. I'm due very soon, and have worked until the bitter end with all of the births. Working is part of who I am.

That said, is there anyway you could move to flex time or part-time? That might help the situation and give you the time away you want. Even taking a vacation day every Friday would help.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Happy New Year Disboards!!! I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy 2012.
I was hoping that people can give me some suggestions about ways to save and/or make money. Every little bit helps.
I am in the process of figuring out if I can quit my job and not work... at least not have to get a job before I leave the old one type thing. I know that in this economy, it might take a while to find something else so I want to be prepared for a few a months of 1 salary.
There is only my DH and I (and most likely will always stay that way). We have a car payment and mortgage and all that. Our current bills aren't too bad (there are ways to skinny a little which I will do). I have done the tag sale route to get rid of extra things and will do that again. I coupon as much as I can where I am from and watch sales, have a coin jar, etc. We aren't really extravagant people.. but we do like a few trips, etc. I don't mind saving up.
Any ideas out there??? Thanks for any help.

Is there anything you like doing or are good at doing that can earn you money? Crafting, sewing, organizing, cleaning, child care, elder care (my uncle used to pay some woman from the church to keep my grandmother company on days family was not available), provide errand services for housebound people, bookkeeping for smaller businesses, etc.

 

[lucigo]

This is something that will change the dynamics of your family in many ways.

Staying home and saving money can be a full time job if you are willing to put the effort into it, but it means living completely different than you do now. It means counting on your DH to provide all of the support and changes the balance of the relationship. It can mean giving up things like cable tv, eating out, and putting whatever you think you need in the cart when you go to WalMart. It can be rewarding to set challenges for yourself to get by on little money, but it can also get old. It can be hard on your spouse who is still working full time and doesn't want to give up his indulgences. It can also be easier on him if you are available to do more of the "homework" and let him have more free time also.

Other things to consider, what will you be giving up in benefits? Health insurance? Life insurance? How will those things impact your family?

I like the idea of putting your paycheck away for a month. That gives you money to fall back on and allows you to see what you will be giving up.