What treats does working allow you?

[morleylass]

Well for me I did have a cleaner 3 hours pw(until the new dog wouldn't let her in) who was absolutely fab. Last 2 years we have had a foreign holiday (not this year though) and generally it means that when I go round the supermarket I don't have to really worry about how much my shopping is going to come to (within reason).
So what are the treats that you are able to have because you are working?

MorleyLass x

A cleaner
2dc with school dinners (hate making sandwiches)
Sainbos to You instead of Me to Lidl
Occasional clothes presents to self

(All this to come in Sept when 0.2 + bit of supply teaching becomes 0.7)

A house
A car
Unlimited books
Clothes
Shopping
School fees
Holidays

That's about it really.

Oh sorry, forgot about the pension. And the cleaning lady.

Agree with lots of the above, how about regular conversations with adults, lunches where no-one throws food at you and the occasional hot cup of tea!

ooh, yes forgot about pension (hate thinking about those things).
I'd do school dinners every day if my two would eat them as I so hate making packed lunches - we manage about 2 per week.

I so wish I still had a cleaner

I return later in the year and I hop work will bring me sanity and an escape from some of the odd people have met but not been able to avoid.

In 1 month's time:

My sanity
Not having to do 3 part time and evening jobs that suck @ss and pay cr@p
Not having to wear a fetching purple uniform!
Not having to look after other people's brat children (some of them were lovely :-))
Self confidence
Getting back on the career ladder

I know these don't all seem like "treats" but they are to me :-)

i return to work on Monday and hope to have

my sanity
a cleaner
some nice clothes for dd and i that arent in the 40 % off rack

A cleaner for 3 hours pw
A pension
The means to finally buy a house (dh hasn't gone "upstairs" to bed for thirty years )
Proper grown up make up/skin care products/shampoo and conditioner
The occasional foreign holiday
Occasional Ocado shops when I don't have much time
Food from Waitrose instead of Somerfield
Time to Mnet
Time to feel myself a bit more, and not just mummeeeeeeee!
Time to eat a meal without having to share with ds
Time to go to the loo without ds
Time to appreciate ds (I can't wait to go to work when I've been off with him for four days, can't wait to be back with him when I've been in work for three days)

Time away from the DDs

a roof over our heads!

TBH, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the thread title... surely women don't work for "treats"? We work to help support our families and/or for our own self-fulfilment. Suggesting that the little woman goes out to work to earn a little treat money, while otherwise being supported by her big strong other half (who of course earns so much that anything she earns can go on treats anyway) is more than a little insulting, IMO.

Annie - Good point. I do agree, but I spose for a lot of people both of these points are true.

We need the money for mortgage, living etc, and I have never not worked. I became a childminder, and currently work 3 casual jobs for the cash.

A lot of people can afford/scrape by staying at home with the kids.

Either way having another income means treats, and yes also self-fulfilment which for me is the main added benefit of going back full time.

Just because I was a childminder and earned a lot less than my DH does that make my work any less important? No. But I did feel that way. Is that right...No.

Anyway, I dunno what my point is here... :-)

I'm sorry if my post insulted you AnnieLobeseder - that is not what I intended. I was really after finding out what things that you can have that you wouldn't have if you didn't work. I don't think I actually even mentioned another half and the post certainly didn't say women..I would be happy to hear from men or women.

So I think before you get on your high horse, perhaps you ought to actually read the exact words of the post, not what you think it says!

I read it to mean 'treats' after all the boring stuff like mortgage, bills etc have been squared away.

Anyway, mine is escape from doing the school run every single day.

holidays
yearly farm passes
ballet and street dancing (for dds)
2 cars
and the odd night out with the girls

however, still have to budget and shop at aldi as I work as little as possible

School fees and the 4th child.
And I guess a car that goes, some of the time at least.
Would love a cleaner.

ski holiday at Xmas
beach holiday in the summer
my annual trip back to NZ
my expensive skin care products habit
not having to scrimp and save & worry about money in general

a newer car for me
new sofas and other 'housey' treats
meals out with the family
more cash available for days out etc as a family
DD's swimming lessons
DD's horseriding lessons
weekends away
family savings (very important one, that one)

Basically DH earns the money which keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table. My wages allow us to have the nice little garnishes that make life more pleasurable (once childcare costs have been deducted).

Stage coach
gym membership
expensive makeup
contract phone
not worrying about bills and food shopping
eating out

Career progression
Shoes

i get to go to the loo in peace, have a cup of tea in peace, chat to other adults, eat my lunch in peace and read th e paper at lunchtime.
working is fab
doesn't make me any money after I've paid for childcare but is well worth it for all the above

Posh make-up etc
DCs' activities
More holidays
More dining out

Was a sahm for quite a while so all the essentials have been covered by DH.

aside from some of the bills not quite covered by DHs salary, my earnings pay for holidays, birthing & Christmas presents, meals out, activities for DS, coffees & newspapers etc

D'oh - and a cleaning/ironing lady. How the heck I forgot that I'll never know