The "cost of working"

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2006
The "cost of working"
961
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 2:08pm

I have been reading a lot of articles on this issue which claim that the cost of working is not worth your salary. One article claimed that it isn't worth it for a mom to work unless she is making at least 70K a year.
I don't see it at all. They cite things like work clothing, lunches out (instead of making your own at home), and gas.
The way I see it, gas money is always something you are going to need. When I wasn't working, I always went out and did things to combat boredom. Not only that, but there were errands to run. And if I did stay home with my children, I don't think I'd just want them at home with me all day just so I can save on gas (or just taking them along on errands). I'd want to take them fun places and do fun things. I would need gas to do that.
Work clothing is a null issue for me. We have to wear polo shirts with our logo and black or khaki pants. Pants I have always gotten at thrift stores. The company gives us the shirts, and if we want more than they give us, the shirts are $18. (Big deal).
As far as lunches go, I bring my lunch not to save money, but because our cafe is horrid and there isn't anywhere to really drive to on our lunch breaks. I only eat in the cafe on break if it's an emergency. I don't even like walking past it because of the smell.
It just doesn't seem to me like the "cost of working is not worth my salary" thing will really fly in my own life. I already know that I make more than the cost of daycare, anyway. I would only be breaking even there if I had three or four kids.

Does anyone else just not know where people get these equations?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2003
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 1:42pm

I'm sure we are losing out on a million in income by me SAH. I've been home for 7 years and have no plans to return. We think it's worth every penny.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 1:46pm

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I find this to be a contradiction to your previous post which asked for proof for a statement made by another.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2004
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 1:47pm
I'm not getting why it's either untrue or regrettable when the sahp facilitates the wohp's career success, makes it possible, or however we might choose to put it. Imo, it happens all the time.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 1:56pm
Well, sure, not working is a cost (assuming that work would cover any child care expenses). But the assertion that was made was that the cost is per se too high, because it is $1 million. In fact, most people make career choices that cost them far more than that. A cost is only "too high" to the extent that it is "too high" for a particular individual or family.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 1:58pm

Then what exactly are you looking for?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 2:04pm

What are you thinking... is the typical woh family?


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 2:04pm

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could you back this up with something other than your corner of the world?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 2:06pm

I have a very good baby.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 2:07pm
I would agree...
PumpkinAngel

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Thu, 03-22-2007 - 2:12pm

I think the internet has changed the shape of college, especially with adults going back to college versus high school graduates going to college.


PumpkinAngel

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