Does it ever cost you too much to be working outside the home?

[canfossi]

For anyone here, is it too expensive for you to be working outside the homestead/farm considering expenses such as gas to and from work, and other work related expenses/stress compared to working on your homestead, thus maybe making less money or maybe more and fewer outside expenses? I hope this is clear to everyone. I guess what I am trying to say is, is it ever not worth while to be working in an outside job vs. on your homestead only. Thanks Chris

[highlands]

Yes. We did the numbers from time to time and have always concluded that working off the farmstead was more expensive than it was worth.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

[CherieOH]

I think it depends on your salary, your partner's salary, need/cost for health insurance, and whether or not you have to pay for childcare. Childcare fees can wipe out a small paycheck! So can health insurance premiums.

[swampgirl]

I think this depends on several issues. Each individual/family has to decide this for themselves. I'm experimenting with this now, but still work part time. I have the option to return to work full time in August. It is a very hard decision for me, as my place in the country has so many needs and they seem to all cost money. I have not yet decided but spend lots of time thinking about it.

[DenverGirlie]

I HIGHLY recommend folks read the book "Your money or your life". It will help each person come up with the hourly rate that a person makes after factoring in wear n' tear on car, car insurance, car payments, work clothing, day care, time spent commuting, time it takes to decompress from working, money it costs beceause you are too tired to cook that you eat out, etc, etc.

It was a real eye opener for me to see what my "real" wage of working is.

My case is very specail because I telecommute, thus work in my PJ's in my living room everyday, but I did it for my step mother and she actaully just about breaks even. However, if she was home all day, she wouldn't do the cooking, cleaning anyways so for her it's best that she at least breaks even, instead of being a household drain.

I checked it out from the library but am always seeking it out at the thrift store or yard sales this summer as I want my own copy.

here is there website:
http://www.yourmoneyoryourlife.org/

[Jenn]

Even at the high rates I can get, obviously I consider the value of working outside home lower than not doing so. My choice is made possible by having nearly saved enough for retirement/DH having steady work so I can truly afford not to work at all for a while, and my career being such that most work available is all- 60-100 hours a week- or nothing. I'm trying to find 20-30 hours a month of work but will wait until I can get that or there is no alternative to taking full time work- and then will do a few years and quit again if I can not find a part time niche.

And aside from my choice not to work fulltime, with DH's career if I DID work fulltime I'd be spending a good part of my income on a nanny and maybe a cleaning lady not to mention not liking the life I had to live- working too hard, not having the garden and food I want and chance to do stuff at home and with the kids I have now- and if I have to work fulltime will try to wait until DH retires and is at home for the kid(s).

Your Money or YOur Life is a great concept but I couldn't wade through it. Get it at the library and at least get the gist of it if you don't do it all.

And things are looking up for me- I am working for 5 days in the next two weeks- if I like that job I can do another week every few months (for a guy taking vacation) and help that doc escape the 24/7/365 (or at least 15/6/330) rat race for a bit every few months.