stay at home mom

[raylene59]

Hello,
I just joined this message board after reading some messages from Carol and now she's dissapeared. She was discussing how to find ways to keep yourself occupied as a stay at home mom.

I had found myself running into some money issues and tried hard to find an income source by using my computer, so far I have joined this group which was only about a week ago and they have been a great help so it's looking good. For people like me it is important that I ask around and hear what others have to say, I just need to be in situation where I am more financial and don't have to stress about bills, school fees etc.. do you or anyone you know might understant moms online ?

[lilgoose]

Hi! I am a stay-at-homer also.

I lost my w/c pay back in August when I was not physically ready to go back to work and that has landed us in the same boat as everyone else who has joined this forum.

And, with the injuries that I have, I am on some real fun restrictions that keep me from getting any type of job that can provide enough money an hour to pay for a sitter for both kids.....So, here I am, staying at home.

Some of the ways I keep myself busy is that I take my daughter to Story Time at the local library and it is free. We have a local family center that offers activities and exercise classes, etc, at reasonable fees and I had my daughter in an exercise class. While she was in that, I walked around the arena and got my exercise for free. I also read a lot. Sewing is another thing that will keep me busy at times. I buy fabric on sale (even the dollar bolts~I made my family room curtains using dollar a yard fabric and they look great!).

Cut out coupons and really use the grocery ads to make your grocery list.

As for making some extra $$$. I sell things on eBay. I sell toys that the kids no longer play with. I sell their clothing as they are growing out of them. I made enough last year that I purchased my Christmas presents with the money. A couple of years ago, my daughter went from one size to the next, right over the Christmas break. Well, I sold her entire wardrobe on eBay and managed enough money back to replace and add to her new wardrobe.

I have even gone thru the house and found household items that we no longer need or use and sold them.

I know some people may look down their nose at doing this and I really don't care. I get to make some money, pick up some really good deals along the way and get rid of things that I don't need. My way of discribing it would be the world's largest garage sale.

A lot of days, I scratch my head and wonder what I did all day. Some days I feel like I am going to go nuts because I have nothing to do and other days I run out of time trying to get all done that I need to have done. You can really kill a lot of time on the computer!

I don't know the ages of yours, but even sitting down with them and working on letters, numbers or writing is fun. Print off coloring pages and teach about animals, numbers, letters, etc. Mine is 5 and she has been writing her name for about a year and a half. She can add and subtract (she doesn't realize that is the names for what she is doing) simple problems using objects.

The best thing I can tell you is that you just have to enjoy being home with the kids and watching them grow. Take a look at where you can cut back on expenses and make some adjustments. Just don't forget to make time for yourself, even during nap time (if they are little enough yet). Maybe try to babysit someone else's children...great way to make some extra money and give yours a new playmate.

[Minnymouth]

Cut out those food coupons, buy in bulk (on sale items) you use a lot of.........
Limit snacks and sweets...... use as a treat only.
Cut back soda pop intake.
Cook good nourishing meals instead of quick tv dinners, boxed dinners, frozen instant food.
Do not buy fruits, vegs out of season.... too expensive.
Have a big yard sale..............your old stuff is someone's "treasure find"........
Take your kids old jeans/clothes that you cannot resell and make them a "rememberance quilt" - easily done...
Will keep them warm, and done with your loving hands....
(can all be done on sewing machine).....
Take an afternoon and make "puppet dolls" for your kids out of old socks...... (draw on them or use felt, pipe cleaners, mop hair).
Take time for yourself..........read a good book, watch a good movie, try yoga...................

Lots of ways to make extra money, save money, and have fun too............plus keep your kids entertained.....

[StaciMM]

You can check out craigslist.com (I think that is the right url!) and there are Free Cycle groups at yahoo.com.

If you are crafty, you can try Ebay for selling things you make. (I'm NOT! I crochet, but there is no guarantee... I may finish 3 projects in a month, then take a year to do the next one, LOL.)