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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think I'll spend less if I'm out at work all day?

42 replies

EleanorHandbasket · 22/05/2013 14:27

The other 'budget' thread has got me thinking.

We're about to take a massive drop in income (if I get the job), at the moment I earn shitloads a fair whack as a CM and obvs no childcare costs. But because I'm at home we spend a fortune on crap, or not just crap but THINGS.

I reckon being out of the house will balance it though. Less gas/electric for a start. I won't be feeding 500 children a day, and I won't be grazing all day either. No wandering round Tescos at leisure popping goodies in the trolley. No coffees at toddler groups. Much fewer nespresso capsules throughout the day (I've been spending £60 a month on those bad boys since Xmas ). Less on petrol, maybe (the job is less far than the school/nursery runs). Less idle browsing of the interwebs and the associated impulse purchases.

I'm right, arent' I? Tell me I'm right because we are waving bye bye to eleven hundred pounds a month and I'm a bit scared.

OP posts:

LadyInDisguise · 22/05/2013 15:06

Ok I think you might want to look at your accounts for the childminding.

Food for the children you are looking after shouldn't be going out from your own side but from the business. Ditto for cost associated with playgroups etc...
Also when you say buying 'things' what is it for? are they things you would be happy to buy for yourself or are they only rigth to buy before of the CM?
Again if they are related to CM, they shouldn't come out from your own 'wages' but from the business side of things.
Are you sure you aren't mixing up the money that comes in with the money you are actually making? When you did your account last year, what figure did you give to the tax man?

Have a look and see how much it would all add up. That will give you a better idea about how much you are really earning with CM.

Then unlike you don't want to carry on with the CM, I would start with a budget and with restricting all these unnecessary trips to Tesco and so on. If you are earning a fair wage with CM and could stop the unnecessary spending, imagine how much 'richer' you would be
If what is the issue is that you want to do something else and love the now job, then go for it! And yes quite a few of these spending will disappear on their own. Just be careful they aren't being replaced by some others (eg the Nespresso will be replaced by coffee from the machine along with a chocolate bar etc...)

LadyInDisguise · 22/05/2013 15:07

xpost... thi8ngs have moved on since then...

Potteresque97 · 22/05/2013 15:10

I've done both and think it just comes down to keeping a very close eye on spending. Like you say, it's worth trying and you can always change back, if you don't try you won't know. Good luck!

adagio · 22/05/2013 15:14

I am finding being SAHM much, much cheaper than working (sorry).

In work it was not at all unusual to spend over £30 a week on lunch, tea/coffee from the nice starbucks kiosk etc - at home even with the odd outing I don't spend anything like that. Plus clothes are cheaper than workwear, wear less makeup, rarely bother to put on expensive perfume in the day; petrol saving etc.

More time to search for the cheapest deals on groceries/nappies; time to walk places instead of always the car due to distance/running late?

But despite these, I will be looking for a new job - as much as I adore being SAHM of my 5 month old she will grow up, childcare is good socialisation for her, work is good for me in that it forces me out of my lovely little bubble and ensures my independence and one day she will probably move out at which point I think I would regret not having a career.

For what its worth, if you are saying you are going for a dream job despite the inevitable strain it will create on finances then go for it, it will be worth it, and if its not then you can always quit and come back to being a CM - nothing to lose :-)

Good luck!

redskyatnight · 22/05/2013 15:15

I spent practically nothing at work and am sure I would spend much more at home.

But I live close enough to walk/cycle in (so no transport costs).

And I need to look smart but not overly smart so can get away with a few outfits and rotating (not bought any work clothes in ages).

And I take in a packed lunch and there's only manky sandwiches available at work so not tempted to buy more.

And I only get 20 minutes for lunch so no chance to go anywhere.

Yes I stick the odd £1 in a work collection and we have a team lunch every three months, but I basically don't spend money because I have no opportunity to do so.

(I have deliberately ignored the cost of childcare).

meglet · 22/05/2013 15:17

Work clothes cost money. And you can't rock up at work in scruffy stuff that hasn't been washed, unlike a quick school run.

Work lunches cost money, and time to sort out.

I spend more on food in the evenings after work as I'm too tired to put a proper meal together. Lots of (naice) ready meals during really bad weeks.

meglet · 22/05/2013 15:21

Nb; I'm not saying we're all scruffy on the school run ! It's just less pressure to look pristine!

Nagoo · 22/05/2013 16:07

One thing though, for most of us the time SAHMing was a time when we knew we had to cut back, because we lose our wages from work. For you it's the other way around. You'll cut your cloth I'm sure :) And, like you say, long term it'll be better for you.

Good luck :)

YoniOneWayOfLife · 22/05/2013 16:13

I know I'd eat less if I were at work and other people were watching

teacher123 · 22/05/2013 17:33

I have just gone back to work and spend far far far less than I did when I was at home. I work in a school and get two free lunches per week and then pay £2.50 for the other day I work. Tea and coffee is luckily free. I take in cereal bars and fruit as there's nowhere to spend any money at work (I don't even drive past a petrol station on my way in to buy snacks!) I also food shop much more efficiently as I actually don't have the time to pop in to tescos on my working days between picking up DS and bedtime. When I was off I used to walk into town every day and spend money on crap, I'd go to boots and pick up some shampoo, then into sainsburys local to get some bread and then before you know it I'd spent £15 on nothing.

I probably spend slightly more on petrol, but I imagine it evens out because I was always going to visit people who live a fair distance away!

Chunderella · 22/05/2013 18:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheHappyCamper · 22/05/2013 18:57

I'm a teacher and I barely spend anything during the week! I could have the same £20 in my purse from Monday to Friday. I do occasionally have to put in a collection but that's about it. My petrol is about 60p per day . I need to look smart, but my clothes get wrecked quickly so I buy cheap-ish e.g. supermarket tailored things or dresses. I take a packed lunch every day and our tea/coffee is free.

In the holidays I spend far more - popping out for lunch is my worst habit and also "browsing" ebay/amazon .

I think this could work for you actually.

GemmaTeller · 22/05/2013 19:11

I work from home now and found I don't spend half as much as when I worked.
Petrol money has dropped by two thirds (in fact more than that as we've gone down to one car).
No popping down to M&S, Boots etc at lunch time.
No more 'smart' workwear.
No more office lunches out or drinks after work or nights out.

At home, we both have an office and as DH has always worked from home there's no change in the heating bills.
Our food bill has gone down as we can shop at strategic times for bargains and take our time.
We still have coffee out etc but only when there's money left over from the shopping.

I think its more a matter of reconditioning yourself not to spend/waste money.

mumofweeboys · 22/05/2013 19:11

My childcare bill is huge but I find it easier to budget when at work compared to being on maternity leave. If I dont have much money, its pack lunches and coffee from home rather than buying stuff at work. My food bill is nothing during the wk as kids get all their food at daycare, all they eat at home is some toast and yogurt on an evening.

Original poster

EleanorHandbasket · 22/05/2013 19:26

See, DH literally doesn't spend anything at work or ever.

He doesn't even take a wallet. He takes his packed lunch (eight sarnies!) and drinks water all day. He shares lifts so petrol is minimal. He wears work tops and jeans so clothing costs are nil.

I am going to follow his lead.

No more frittering.

OP posts:

teacher123 · 22/05/2013 20:22

Luckily being a teacher I don't have to wear really smart clothes. I have a nice suit for open day and parents' evenings and everything else is dresses and leggings. I do buy expensive shoes though as I'm on my feet all day, and they have to be comfy.

I spend a fortune in the holidays, tomorrow is my day off, I have £20 in my purse and some errands to run and am determined not to spend more than that!

chipsandpeas · 22/05/2013 20:23

i do more internet shopping at work than i do at home

i even get it delivered to work

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