The cost of going to work

I've posted this list in another thread but I'd like some further thoughts on this issue. Can anyone think of any other costs associated with working outside the home?

* Childcare (factor in extra nappies/extra prepackaged snacks/transport to and from and late collection fees)
* Work appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories.
* Work appropriate make up, hair products, other grooming costs.
* Transport to and from work... petrol, tickets, wear and tear on the car, parking.
* Meals at restuarants and/or take away/convenient food (because you will be too tired to cook from scratch every evening.
* Lunches and socializing (drinks and other expenses of attending work functions that you would rather not attend but have to)
* Stationery (maintaining a filofax etc)
* Other miscellaneous expenses like drycleaning work suits etc.

These are some of the costs I incurred last time I worked outside the home... but as I have been a SAHM for 4 years now I might have forgotten a few.

Yep, that's a huge issue/expense Shannon.

I was a casual worker at my last job and whenever my DD was sick I'd ask my DH to stay at home with her because his employer had paid family leave entitlements and mine didn't. Also, if I fell ill of course I wasn't paid :( I guess more people are having to deal with this since the new IR laws... one reason I'm glad my vote with go (preferentially) to Labor... I sure hope they do away with them (new IR laws).

It seems that most women can't really afford to go to work unless they are earning a professional wage... or am I wrong? How do women afford it? The maths just doesn't add up for me... until my boys are at school anyhow. I just don't understand how a lot mums I know say "I can't afford not to work..." and I know they are only earning a casual wage, in say, retail, that is hardly a professional wage.... I just don't get it?

I recall having to wait all year for the childcare rebate to be refunded... is that still the case?

Y'know people could say "well, you've got to have lunch at home so that shouldn't be included in the list"... but I know from experience that making time to prepare something at home and then eating your measly sandwich when everyone else in the office is going out to eat at a cafe is very tough.... or avoiding buying something at the nearest bakery for example! Eating outside the home is ALWAYS more expensive... and then there are the cups of coffee.... meanwhile, here at home I 'make do' with an instant cuppa and a toasted sandwich... and fruit... for somereason I always found it hard to eat enough fruit when I was working outside the home.... actually eating healthily in general was a lot more difficult.

Oh and another expense for a lot of fulltime working mums I know is a cleaner. We've never had one... but we lived in chaos... infact nothing has changed LOL and even though I'm a SAHM I'm considering hiring a Mother's Assistant because as all SAHMs know this is the hardest job of all and I don't have any one to leave the kids with while I zip around once a week... so that's on the cards for us... DH has thankfully given it the nod :)

I have wondered that many times myself. Whether it is worth your while probably depends on several factors. I suppose for a lot of people mortgages are so high that they feel they must be back in the workforce because every cent counts. Even so it is hard to see what would be left when you factor in all the other expenses.

For me, I'm going back part time for a few reasons but I am under no illusion that I will be financially better off for doing so.

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Also daycare fees need to be paid in holidays also - albeit usually at half rate if notice is given.

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Shannon, do you mean if your family goes on holidays, or holidays where the centre is closed (like christmas/easter etc)

I do not get half price even with notice, if I wanted to go on a holiday and take Milo out of creche for 2 weeks etc. I get the minimum amt for the childcare rebate, which for me is about $17/8 a week.

After the rebate we pay $159.35/wk for 3 days care (Milo is with family 2 days). you can choose to have it taken out each week/ftnight or get it in a lump sum at the end of the year.

There is also the other childcare 30% rebate which is a tax reduction and is done the next financial year after you've paid for childcare.

I agree, unless you are on a professional wage is can be more cost effective to stay home than go to work, when you add up the rest of the costs of working.

there is also the emotional cost to the working mum and her family. If I didn't have to go to work, I would stay home for this reason.

PS. I don't have a cleaner, but my house is clean (well its messy a lot, but not dirty)

My DH says that if it wasn't for me being at home and helping our lives run relatively smoothly then he wouldn't be able to work as hard as he does in his job. He says that other men in his office have to take time off to help with the kids (when they are sick etc) because their wives are working. So my DH's earning capacity is increased as he achieves targets more easily than those men do... and my DH gets the bonus... $17,000 last year alone. He also has less time away from the office because of illness compared to when we were both working. Anyhow, DH considers it a definate "asset" for me to be at home while the kids are young... thankfully he reminds me daily that half his income is "mine". I've heard of a lot of men pressuring their wives to re-enter the workforce even though their children are very young... despite it not really helping financially... I think those men are just kidding themselves... maybe they should consider doing home duties themselves then they would realise us SAHMs don't have the easy ride that they think we do!

I agree with you Bath, except in our situation, out of necessity, it would be DH who stayed home. If/when we have more kids that may well be what will happen.

I have just this week started back at work part-time, outside the home.

I will take your list (which is pretty comprehensive BTW!) and add my very recent observations!

Childcare (factor in extra nappies/extra prepackaged snacks/transport to and from and late collection fees) For my childcare centre, they provide all nappies and all meals, so that is not an extra expense, but centainly the cost of childcare is the greatest expense.
* Work appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories. I was reticent to go out and spend much money on any of this type of thing, so I went through all my old "pre-children" corporate wardrobe to see what can be used. (I left the corporate world a little over 3 years ago) It is all still 100% servicable.
* Work appropriate make up, hair products, other grooming costs. I haven't had to expend any extra money. I get my hair coloured every 3 months or so, and all the other costs for me remain the same.
* Transport to and from work... petrol, tickets, wear and tear on the car, parking. I am working on the outskirts of the city (a 20 min drive from home) but I kind of figure that I would be using more petrol with being out and about with the kids?* Meals at restuarants and/or take away/convenient food (because you will be too tired to cook from scratch every evening. Thus far I have taken my own lunchbox (as I am trying to eat healthily and I find that I do that better if I take my own) but I agree that this would add up if you were to buy your lunch every day. For the odd cafe lunch though, again, I figure I have the odd cafe lunch as a SAHM, so its about the same?

* Lunches and socializing (drinks and other expenses of attending work functions that you would rather not attend but have to) I figure it is swings and roundabouts.....for what I may have to expend in small costs like this, I more than lifely get a lot more in perks such as training/discounts etc.
* Stationery (maintaining a filofax etc) Ummmm, I haven't used my filofax for a good few years....I have a work laptop which is provided, and all my stationary needs are provided for.
* Other miscellaneous expenses like drycleaning work suits etc. Yeah, agree. My plan is to slap my stuff in with DH's........only a small additional cost.

All that said, I still walk away with more money in our bank account than if I hadn't worked. It is most defiantely worth my while financially. I have not gone back to a huge high salry, adn it is part time, but it is still worth it.

$$ aside, for me, I am overjoyed to be back at work, and DH is thrilled for me too. I suppose I can see your DH's point about having you at home. That was just not an option for me anymore.....I needed to go back to work for me. It will not impact on DH's work at all. It may impact on the house a bit, or the ironing or whatever, but my sanity is worth a lot more to me than that, LOL!

unless you are in a 'profession" or at least reasonably high up in the corporate world, i agree, i dont know how peoples can afford to have a couple of kids in child care, and work as well.
Me, i work full time, take home about between $600 to $650. I could continue to do that with 1 child in child care, but, i think that if i had 2 in childcare, perhaps not really worth it.
Even taking into account the hours that i do, i have little time to keep up with the jobs around the house, be worse with kids - more stuff to do.
And lots cheaper to make yourself a quick sandwich and peice of fruit for lunch at home, then to buy lunch, and a coffee.

You're doing really well there Lucy :) Maybe I just get sucked into the whole competitiveness thing, especially in an office environment where other women can look you up and down and notice if you have worn the same suit every second day for months on end... I just can't resist buying a new outfit every so often just to show I can present as well as anyone. It'd be a huge change from shopping for clothes at Op Shops like I have been for the past 4 years... oh and I don't wear makeup when I'm at home... so even the cost of going out and buying mascara/foundation/lippy every so often would add up for me.

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My DH says that if it wasn't for me being at home and helping our lives run relatively smoothly then he wouldn't be able to work as hard as he does in his job..... So my DH's earning capacity is increased as he achieves targets more easily than those men do

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Bath, I reckon this is one of the biggest hurdles facing women who return to work, especially those in professional type jobs. A woman with kids who works in a male domainted field is competing with men who have wives at home, but the working mum has to go home and be a "wife" as well, most of the time. I'm sterotyping for sure, but I think you all get my general drift.

Rory: oh for sure! I'm kind of wondering what will happen when I end up in the professional role as fulltime teacher... will DH start doing some of the home duties that he hasn't had to worry about for years? Somehow I don't think so... I am going to be expected to somehow juggle my new responsibilities with maintaining the house as well :( As it is every weekend DH and I bicker because he needs so much sleep because the demands of his job are so great during the week... so what about me catching up on all the sleep I've lost dealing with the boys at all hours of the night during the week? Actually, sometimes I get a bit of a sleep in too... but more times than not it's me out mowing the lawn while he's asleep on the couch while he "looks after" the kids!

I predict, when I also take on a professional role, a huge tug-of-war between my DH and I in terms of finding time for ourselves.... and him expecting me to still do all those little things in life that make his life/job easier. I like your quote about every family needing a "wife" Rory... it's had me thinking a lot about that lately... all those things like Christmas Shopping (for example) that require huge investments of time and energy that most husbands just take for granted.... they wake up and it's all there for them on a plate.... *sigh* who's gonna do that for me when I return to work?

ETA: there's also things like accompaning the kids to doctors/dental/hair appointments... and making those appointments for DH too... I just have to tell him what day and where... he just goes without even thinking about it... he just trusts that I have everything organised.

Another expense, whilst it sounds silly, is chipping in for people's birthday/baby pressies/cakes etc, if your workplace is the kind of place that does things like that, or team afternoon teas etc. It's not much, but I'd probably usually end up spending about $20/month on that sort of thing.

Depending on your profession, there may also be professional membership fees. Since going on maternity leave, I'm maintaining my health professional registration (about $180/year), but have let membership of my professional body lapse (which is about $400/year), so when I return to work, that is an expense that I will need to take into consideration. Thankfully these are tax deductible.

Yep, I did think of that one as my last workplace was really big on chipping in for everyone's major life celebrations: babies/weddings/birthdays etc.... and with about 15 staff members whom this policy applied it WAS expensive.... we were a pretty close-knit group though... I guess I didn't think it applied to most other people's jobs as DH doesn't seem to "chip in" as much as I used to have to. It's nice of course when your turn rolls around... but it did feel like every week I had my hand in my purse... oh and interesting to compare with my DH's job too: he has a corporate card that he is allowed to put a lot of social expenditure on which is cleared by his employer... even birthday gifts for his asisstant! Would love one of those!!!

I'd love one too!
The whole chipping-in thing has been pretty normal at the last 2 places I've worked at (one public sector, one private sector), but I know what you mean - I don't think my DH does it very often. They're more likely to go out for a drink or two after work to celebrate (although shouting a round of beers probably ends up being more expensive than chipping in $5 for a pressie lol).

I cant think of any other expenses relating to going back to work, other than those listed...definately childcare fees and travel costs are the two biggies for us.

I find the idea of going back to work while my baby is in care quite frightening, financial-wise. I was working full time up until 2 weeks before my daughter was born, and I have sussed out the local childcare centres to find they are charging an average of $80 per day for children under 2.. some places even charging $110/day. Who can afford this, on top of all the other expenses relating to work as well as just general living costs.

Where I used to live, there wasn't much competition with daycare and the costs were extraordinary.

When I was a single mum, I didn't have a car or license or much else. I looked at getting a job and actually had one lined up. BUT I would have been $60 worse off a week!! That cost was just with the out of pocket daycare for two children and then taxi fees to the daycare centre and then to work as there was no public transport in the area.

I couldn't believe it, and I had no choice but to stay on the single mother's pension which believe me doesn't cover alot at all once you take out rent and bills and feeding two children.

Gave me a new appreciation for single mums and stopped me judging the ones I thought had babies so they could 'bludge' of the government, the money no where near covered things.

I went back to work when both children were in school and that was obviously much more cost effective. My partner and I started a business and therefore I only had to work in school hours and took days off if the kids' were sick and also took most of their holidays off (they came to work with us a few days a week). Then I had to leave due to pregnancy complications at 16 weeks as it was a high manual labour job. For me, being a SAHM is very important and the right thing for me, so I will be doing this till this baby is in school. Although I will look at doing something from home as well, and as it stands, I do all business paperwork and phonecalling and quotes. I also will probably rotate parenting with DP when the baby gets older and I will do days at work while he stays home, perhaps once a week.

I count myself very lucky to have that flexibility and I really feel badly for some people that don't even have the choice to work, or work for only such a little bit more.

Yep Tara...I don't judge single mums either... I take my hat off to them.... how they do it I'll never know.

Oh and another thought: it took me 2 hours yesterday to find shoes for my DD at the shops... nothing would fit and the shoes that did fit her she didn't like... arrrgh! How many men do we know would traipse around the shops doing THAT? Especially whilst looking after two other littlies at the same time. Kids need shoes... they can't buy them themselves and it takes TIME and ENERGY... one of hundreds of "little" errands that a little wife does that goes largely unacknowledged....grrrr.

When I was living with DH I was earning $15 per day after childcare and if I took away the FTB Part A that I was getting from the government. I had to supply all nappies food wipes etc as well.

It cost me $10 per day to get to work ($6 for train ticket and $4 for parking at the station).

So I made about $5 per day. Not cost effective at all. And I earned almost a six figure salary as a lawyer.

At this stage I am planning to go back to work PT awhile after this bubs arrives. My boss has made it clear that they are keen to have me back :)

But we're very lucky in that my mum is happy to do some minding for us. So I will likely go back one day a week to start with, with mum looking after the baby. Otherwise I wouldn't bother, I just don't earn enough to make it worthwhile financially if we have to pay childcare fees.

Hopefully we won't be in a situation where I NEED to go back to work, and I can just do it when I'm ready.

just a quick aside, yeah you change the amount of FTBA you get for your combined income, but FTBB doesn't cut out at $4000 - it is a sliding scale (like ftba) from $4000 to $20000 (or thereabouts)

i agree, it can be really difficult to still come out financially ahead if you go back to work and have to pay child care as well as all the normal expenses. it's something DH and ihave discussed in terms of starting the TTC journey. will be intersting to see what we decide on once we're actually PG!

good luck with making your decision Bathsheba - it's not an easy one!

Thanks BG, but I think we've decided that until both boys are at school it just wont be cost effective... and the emotional and practical cost will be too great too... it's mainly that I am feeling really lonely being a fulltime SAHM and I'm kinda musing whether returning to work for personal satisfaction reasons would be worth it... not fulltime... I'm musing that more mums return to work because of lonliness that will admit to it... *sigh* it is just so hard.... sometimes I wish that more mums would stay at home just so that there would be more opportunities to network and mix with other SAHMs... I go to 2 activites per week with my boys that give me that contact... but it's not really enough... anyhow life goes on... shouldn't wish away these precious years with my boys either! :)

A big part of the reason I went back to work was the social interaction. Another big part was keeping up with the changes in the legislation which is a big issue in my career.

So I totally understand where you're coming from, Bathsheba. Best wishes.

i think i'm going to be very much like divvy - there are not a lot of younger people living nearby - most of them already have kids in school and are at work themselves, so i think i'll go back to work for at least a couple of days per week - plus i work in a job that changes on a daily basis - staying out of work for toolong would be really difficult. thankfully i have a SIL who wants to have more children but can't for health reasons, so has offered to look after any children we have p/t while i work - it will cost a lot less than child care, and will give her a bit of an income - plus my work are super flexible with p/t contracts. financially it won't make a difference whether i'm a SAHM or back at work, but i think it will be what i need to do...

IKWYM Bathsheba. I have been a SAHM for a little over 3 years, after having a strong career focus. I am incredibly lucky to have a brilliant support network of other SAHM's who are very close friends, who we see 2 or three times a week. So socially I feel very integrated and supported, & I love the time I spend with them and their children.

However, for me, it is just not enough. I wish it was, I really do, but I need to regain the sense of self that I generate from working, and I need to build my self esteem again, and I simply need to be more than a Mummy & a wife. I guess I am the architypical type of "wants it all", LOL! I could, of course, feel guilty at feeling like this, but guilt like that, for me, is non-productive. Hence I have stuck my toe into the waters of the working world again.

Regardless if finances, it has simply made me feel more complete. So it is worth it for that alone, for me & the subsequent impact that that has on my relationships with the children and my DH.

I have enjoyed reading this thread with all of our different viewpoints........

I work fulltime & Indah spends 3 days in care as Mum has her the other 2, we get about $15 rebate a f/night & it's about $220+ a F/n out of our pockets...

* Childcare (factor in extra nappies/extra prepackaged snacks/transport to and from and late collection fees) I use cloth nappies & send these off with Indah to FDC, I bake meals appropriate for her on weekends etc & dont send her with prepackaged foods as they dont like it at Day care, all but a yoghurt.. Which she'd have at home anyways so it's not really an added expense.
* Work appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories. I have been working F/T for 5-6 yrs & I might but a park of work pants & a top or 2 a year I wear a big lab coat over the top so unless I have an offsite business meeting I dont dress up much!
* Work appropriate make up, hair products, other grooming costs. I wear a bit of makeup most days, so not an added expense really there either & I have only just recently had all my hair cut off but prior it was just a decent cut once a year (LOL)
* Transport to and from work... petrol, tickets, wear and tear on the car, parking. I drive my own car & I live about 5 mins from work, parking is oin site & free
* Meals at restuarants and/or take away/convenient food (because you will be too tired to cook from scratch every evening. Usually it goes on our Bosses P card & most social outings are paid for, but maybe 3-4 a years arent & really I enjoy going out with my work team & talking about other stuff that work, we see some of them socially in weekends etc anyways.. I always cook meals for the family on a Sunday & have meals in the freezer etc & my DH will come home from work & eat I think we have less take away that when we are on holidays & relaxing!!
* Lunches and socializing (drinks and other expenses of attending work functions that you would rather not attend but have to) Again in business hours work pays, I take my own lunches (left overs or salads etc every day & DH takes rice meat & veggies everyday, other than that I dont go out after work & everyone knows it coz we have 2 kids at home...
* Stationery (maintaining a filofax etc)Work supplies any stationery
* Other miscellaneous expenses like drycleaning work suits etc. My Mum works at a Dry Cleaners but I have never used it, my work pants are $20 Target Specials!!!


FDC brought in a new rule that the 2 wks over Christmas you can opt to not use the Service & not pay & so as DH 's co closes for those 2 wks it is perfect for us, other than that there or not it's full... Thankfully it is in the next street from us so not far to travel there either!
I earn ALOT more than DH but he says he would feel guilty at home everyday & I WANT to be at home everyday, so after Zyon is born & having to put 2 in Full Time care (mum cant look after both & Dad ina wheelchair) I am going to give up my professional role & work 8pm -midnight Mon-Fri in the factory where I work @ almost Dble the hourly rate now so my income will be similar than it is now & I will have no responsibility & my days with my kids! It will be tiring but I can never get back all I have missed of Indah's life & it is a regret... But without my decent income we'd be out on the streets! DH does any overtime he is offered & works 10hrs most days plus some Saturdays, but we cant always count on his money, so I b=need to work & for us after much consideration this will save us Childcare fee's, I can be home with the kids & earn a wage..

I am pretty sure I can make it work...

I freely admit that I am looking forward to returning to work for the mental stimulation and social interaction. I do have a mother's group (a nice one, luckily) but I just can't pretend to be interested in talking about kids all the time.

I don't think it is easy either for people who have been in the workforce most of their lives to suddenly revert to SAH status. It is a complete change of gear. This came as a shock to me, I have to say. I always thought I would just love being at home and would never want to go back to work but that hasn't been the case.

Like Divvy, I am also very motivated by the need to keep my skills and knowledge current. I've also spent years trying to get a position where I have the best of everything in terms of challenging work, supportive environment and family friendly policies so I don't want to let it slip away.

I know that if my job had not been so good, I would probably have opted to stay at home for a couple of years with William. There are so many factors to weigh up and I think the best you can do is make the right decision for you and your family at that time in your life.

I agree Melbo...
I have had friends & family & work mates tell me I am mad for giving up my professional role & all it's perks etc, but I am staying within the Co. So my years of service will continue, I will now get time with my littlest kiddies which I have missed immensely sharing Indah's life.. I chose to do this coz it's the right thing for us, Dh & I discussed how $400 (almost a week for 2 kids in Childcare) is just truly ridiculous, it pretty much means he is working for about $20 per day, but now both of our incomes will count, we dont go out during the week on nights anyways & I will be home to cook dinner etyc we can enjoy a meal together, bath babies & get them off to bed, then I will leave for work & he will tidy kitchen etc & maybe just relax with maddy til she goes to bed, I will be home & in bed by 12:30 (we live VERY close to my work), I can sleep til 8am get Maddy ready for school & then she will go to Mum's (they live in a unit behind us & Mum will drive her to school as she leaves for work at that time anyways, so babies can stay in bed or Jammies or whatever...

For us we see it will work, I know & understand it wont for all the ppl bagging me for doing nights, but I still get a good few hours snuggl;ing in bed with my hubby, so we know it's right for us...
I am really excited about it too... I see it as a new chapter, I have beenb told by the managing Director to let him know when I would like a career role back again, I said it may not be for about 4-5yres til Zyon is atleast in 4yr old kinder, he said thats' Ok, you just let me know & we will look after you!

Another thing is in the office your years of service are capped, but in factory (where I am going) they arent & therefore it could be worth my while staying in the factory as we know the site will likely shut in 8ish yrs????

Anyways Food for though...