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When One Income Isn't Enough

© Jennifer Krausz

You've been reading this column for a few months. You've tried to cut out all non-essential spending, sell off unused items, give homemade gifts, etc. You've done it all. But still, you can't make ends meet. Now what do you do?

Well, you can go out and get a full time job, but your kids in day care, or leave older ones unsupervised after school. But remember our article on expenses related to the second full time income? There won't be much left; certainly not enough to justify all that work and stress and time away from your kids.

Your spouse can get a second job, but that will take him/her away from your home and kids nearly all the time. Not the best option in my view.

My advice is to do one of two things: start a profitable business from home or get a part time job at a time when your spouse can be home to care for the kids. Here are some suggestions for jobs/businesses:

1) If you have a hobby that you are very good at and which produces a good or service, you can start a business selling those items. Examples: crafts, interior decorating, landscaping, web design, desktop publishing, freelance writing, home party business like Pampered Chef or Party-Lite, selling Avon.

2) Here are some part time jobs that pay reasonably well, which will allow you to work less hours and keep things as consistent as possible at home: waiting tables, bank teller (if your spouse works evenings), sales positions, administrative assistant or executive secretary.

3) If you need just a few hundred dollars a month, here are some options that require only a few hours a week: paper route, donating blood or plasma, buying antiques or other desired items to resell on ebay, tutoring or giving music, sewing or other lessons in an area of expertise.

The good news is that there are many options for part time work in most communities. When I recently lost one part time job that I held with my church, I managed to find work as a tutor for homebound kids, a waitress, and I began selling Avon. All this without day care (I had a babysitter for an hour or two on some days). My schedule has since slowed down so that I need no supplemental child care.

Does getting a part time job mean that you are no longer a one income family? I don't know. Although I have worked part time for most of the 2 years since my som was born, I still think I fit the profile because we have one main income. Either way, the important thing is that you have the time with your kids to pass on your values and teach them what they need to know to grow into healthy, happy adults.

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