Crazy stuff to survive the economic downturn...

[Jman]

So has anyone looked to start resorting to oddball stuff to sort of make it through this economic downturn? I looking at how much I'm spending on day care and gas and realized one whole paycheck plus a pinch of another is going just to support this! This combined with the fact that I'm working my butt off, stressed all of the time and not seeing my kids grow up has got me thinking about alternatives to the whole working thang. I'm looking at a dead end job with little education beyond high school (about a year and a half under my belt) at 35! I always wanted to be teaching or to be an architect and while I don't hate my job I'm not sure I want to do it for the next twenty-five years! At what point do you throw in the towel? At what point do you decide that its time to start over? I can't believe that my wife and I are actually looking at the idea of me quitting to stay home, take care of the kids (with a bit of aid from the mom-in-law), work an easy part time job and go to school full time! That's a really scary thought to be honest. Anyways I'm sort of just exploring my own ideas here and wondering if anyone else has been or even in a similar position?

[jeffj]

If you can make ends meet while you're doing it and you're not happy doing what you're doing now, I don't see a downside to going for it.

No one will look down on you for having a (useful) degree, but may if you don't have one (right, wrong or otherwise). Having a degree is not mandatory for success, but having a degree gives you options you simply don't have without it.

[sasquatch9billion]

If you want to go back to school see the financial aid people and dig around. I get a good chunk for being a single parent. If you're going to stay home all day and work part-time in the evening I recommend a restaurant job. It's cash and the shifts are short. Good luck with everything.

[schleppp]

Jman, My wife and I went through the same thing about 6 years ago. I was 34 and now I am 40. I was in a job making decent money with steady hours and I did not mind the work. The catch was that I could not see myself doing the same thing 10 much less 20 years down the road. I took a 30 thousand dollar pay cut to go back to school part time. It has taken me six years to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have two semester left before I graduate with my degree. I will then have to get my credential to teach Social Sciences in high shool. It has been a long haul but I am thrilled at the prospect of being able to spend summers with my kids, a 3 year and a 3 month old. I say go for it. But with the understanding that the next few years will be hard but they will be even more rewarding in the end!!

[evdog]

I'm fortunate to have a decent job and be single/no kids/no mortgage/no debt. But I definitely see a lot of the people I work with doing some pretty drastic things. As simple as trading in gas-guzzlers for compact car, to selling off toys I never thought they'd part with - harley, truck, dune buggy. There's another guy who comes up with all kind of gadgets which he sells on ebay, and makes around $800-1000/mo. So yeah people are starting to make changes.

Quitting your job to be at home is probably more drastic but I wouldn't call it oddball. Does your wife make enough to support you both? If you can pull it off I would definitely go for it. You might find surprising savings on income tax on top of the savings on daycare and gas due to your lower family income, which might cushion things even more. And there is huge value in the the extra free time and reduced stress, even if you can't put a $ on it. There are a lot more opportunities to both work and study at home these days.

Perhaps there is a home based business you could start up - doesn't need to be complicated, and the school you take can go towards whatever skills you need. As a bonus some of your living expenses become tax deductions like a portion of rent, power, etc. And you have flexibility over your schedule and no boss!

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by Jman

So has anyone looked to start resorting to oddball stuff to sort of make it through this economic downturn? I looking at how much I'm spending on day care and gas and realized one whole paycheck plus a pinch of another is going just to support this! This combined with the fact that I'm working my butt off, stressed all of the time and not seeing my kids grow up has got me thinking about alternatives to the whole working thang. I'm looking at a dead end job with little education beyond high school (about a year and a half under my belt) at 35! I always wanted to be teaching or to be an architect and while I don't hate my job I'm not sure I want to do it for the next twenty-five years! At what point do you throw in the towel? At what point do you decide that its time to start over? I can't believe that my wife and I are actually looking at the idea of me quitting to stay home, take care of the kids (with a bit of aid from the mom-in-law), work an easy part time job and go to school full time! That's a really scary thought to be honest. Anyways I'm sort of just exploring my own ideas here and wondering if anyone else has been or even in a similar position?

The rat race sucks. You only live once, and your kids are only kids once. If I were you, I'd go back to school. You could have your teaching cred. in a few short years.

It's your only life...you don't get a second chance. Do what you want to do! Why wait any longer? Go for it!

Moving out of O.C. could save you a ton of money if you're a renter. This place is so overpriced.

[Permagrin]

You spend a lot of time at work and even though work is work for a reason, you should enjoy it at least a little. If it's reasonably financially feasible, I say go for it. The worst that can happen is you realize you have to go back to work. I'm a firm believer that it's healtheir to live to work than work to live. It's not easy to achieve but I'm hoping it's worth the effort 'cause I'm still trying to get there myself. Good luck (future Mr. Mom).

[92se-r]

my only advice is to actually get a degree that will make you more money. i know so many people that wonder why they dont make anything when they majored in like asian literature or something. a degree is not necessary to have a good job. just some jobs really require a degree. you will put your family and retirement back a bit by quitting and going to school, but if it means you will make more in the end, then its worth it.

one thing ive learned about work is that it is just work. no matter how much you love it, if you are working for someone and not doing it on your terms, it wont be as glamorous as it sounds. work is to pay the bills. it shouldnt define you. good luck with whatever u decide.

[L8 APEKS]

I happen to know that my mom makes $88k/yr as a teacher (Middle School PE teacher + a couple college classes a year), and my step dad makes a little over 100k/yr as a teacher (Santa Ana HS).

[mscalepic]

I think its great that your going back to school (at any age), you should look into family housing on campus, they usually offer inexpensive daycare for kids too. Its worth it at any time to re-evaluate your life and go after what you really want. Good luck in your future endeavor.

[Kid A]

just like rock beats sissors, life kicks works arse everytime. I used to live/work in nyc and quit job to move to cali for my wife (then fiance). comp is now half of what it was but know it was the right call. candidly we live a mostly modest life so aside from ocassional splurge on a big gift not much too excess in household (no cigs, starbucks, etc to cut out...embarassed to say even beer consumption is down ) only thing I can say is I had been getting lazy a bit and driving to local trailhead (approx 4 miles) instaed a riding. with gas prices out of control trying to ride there as much as possible again.

[speckledtrout]

Go for it, Jack. It will suck for a while, but then it will be worth it. Not doing it, however, and then regretting it, will suck forever. (I know it sounds like a bumper sticker, but it's true.)

It must be very daunting to make a drastic lifestyle change like this when you've got the little ones, but I know you've been on the fence with the current situation for a while now, right?

[nomadFF]

When I was 30 I had a pretty cool job working for a pretty cool company in the industry, making good money. Enough to buy a house at least.however opportunity for advancement looked pretty slim. I totally changed direction, made some serious sacrifices, but I am 35 and stoked I did what I did. I say do what you want. My wife is awesome and supported me all the way. Sounds like your other half is on board as well. I say go for it.

[Rockinthecasbah]

right now going to school to get a credential isnt workign out for that many people more teachers are being laid off then are being hired we are getting alot of teachers at my work looking for jobs now.
But if you have the means to go to school go for it,as long as you dont have to sell the bottlerocket

[art23rockpile]

For 15 years I was a screen print pressman. At the age of 32, it was time for a career change. I got an appenticeship as a cabinet maker, and found that I have a natural gift for woodworking. Now, 14 years later, i'm still self-employed and love my work... something for which I feel very fortunate.

Lately, business has been really slow... for most contractors. Although i've finally started getting jobs again, as with many people, the state of the economy leaves much to be desired. Something i'm doing to augment my income is selling on eBay. As stated earlier, most of us have all manner of things around the house collecting dust. Over the years, i've been amazed at the amount of money to be made in the collectibles market. I collect and sell LP records... sometimes my auctions to VERY well. From what i've seen, creative thinking (and hard work) is a good way to survive in these challenging times.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by speckledtrout

Go for it, Jack. It will suck for a while, but then it will be worth it. Not doing it, however, and then regretting it, will suck forever. (I know it sounds like a bumper sticker, but it's true.)

It must be very daunting to make a drastic lifestyle change like this when you've got the little ones, but I know you've been on the fence with the current situation for a while now, right?

I have been looking into a change for a while both for financial reasons and also because not getting a degree has been sort of hanging over my head. You're quote may sound like a bumper sticker but it is oh so true. I'm putting out some apps next week to see what, if anything, comes back. It is odd to see a job that's PT and the only requirement is being 16 yrs old or older (I've soooo got that covered!).

Ricky, my mom and my mom-in-law, and my step mom-in-law are teachers and they're all retiring this year so I've heard all of the horror stories. Still, I think that I'm looking at 3 to 4 years at the best before I'd be able to go teach. I think in that time things will have started to take a turn for the better (if it hasn't than it just won't be me in trouble but a whole slew of other folk). If I am able to persue my 'dream' to the end it would be to get a bachelor's degree and creds to teach History/Social Studies in middle school and a master so I could teach some classes at the local JC....oh and don't worry I'm really hoping to keep the bottlerocket! I may have a bit more time to use it.
I'll also get to convert the 9 year old Superlight into a commuter bike! The local JC is only about 12 easy miles away!

Thanks to everyone for the support. It's really awesome to hear other people perspectives and the advice of those who have gone down the path before me. I'll be doing a bunch of research and a bunch of talking with the wife to make sure we'll be able to pull it off...or at least be reasonably certain we can. I do think that to a certain point if I wait until I can 'afford' it I'll never get there...just like with kids...no one can ever afford kids!!!!! LOL. Thanks again guys.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I wasn't trying to be super negative I just deal with alot of teachers and didnt want you to be screwed. I work for OCDE so I can always give you a heads up on teaching jobs. On that note can get you a job If its not to far teaching part time in our nature program if your interested all you need is an AS or equilivent experience working outdoors which you have. We start at the end of augast.

[DISCO]

There is simply no end to the value of investing in a new skill set and the opportunities it will bring. I have followed the words of wisdom long written down and have made myself successful with my young and talented team.


And it won't take a life time to make the big money, you can take it big as soon as you are ready.



Before you know it the big time will be all you can remember, and financial insecurity will never again plague as you grease the civic wheel that your business runs on.



The boulevard is calling, don't let opportunity pass you by.

[Jman]

Ricky I appreciate looking at it from all sides. I'm really trying to not let the dreams, and desire to get in the way of reality and cold hard facts. I'm all for acting on your hopes and desires but one must do it with all of the facts in order in order to ensure those hopes and desires work into a reality. BTW, I sent you a pm regarding that job you mentioned.