Financial Resource

BIG changes are coming to The Home Team...

Coach Mom is returning to the world of employment.

It has been 5 or 6 years since I have been there, but I hear the paychecks are nice!


This decision has actually been in the works since June. The company has just taken a long time to move through the hiring process. For a while there, I wondered if they really even needed someone (or 2 someones, since there were 2 openings)? But, alas, they called me last week and finally offered me the job. I accepted.


I had not even been considering returning to the workforce. I enjoy being a stay-at-home Mom. I've fully accepted that role for this season of my life. It is what my family needs from me. But, as we were studying our budget, the mountain of medical bills, and our financial options, an idea struck us. We did not come up with it. This has been mentioned by numerous financial folks in books and articles we've read.

Stay-at-home Moms are a huge financial resource for their families.

So true. Our family survives on one income...The Referee's income. We are not dependent on two incomes to make ends meet. So, that leaves 1 adult with skills and abilities, capable of bringing in income during a time of need. This concept is often mentioned in terms of health tragedy or job lay-off. If the primary income provider suddenly lost income, the stay-at-home-Mom could potentially get a job and keep her family afloat.

But, then, it dawned on us that it would also work as a Debt Snowball.

As part of our commitment to free ourselves from debt, we live on a family budget that is approximately 2/3rds of The Referee's income. We live below our means so that we can allocate the remaining 1/3rd toward paying off debt.

I am certain we still have room for improvement in our budget. The Referee is certain that the debt would reduce faster if he could find side work to add income. Unfortunately, such jobs are not as common in his career field these days. He made a passing comment about wishing there was something available during "off peak" hours...

That struck an idea in me. I have skills in a career that has "off peak" hours. I did a quick internet search for the first company that came to mind. I immediately found 2 job openings that I was completely qualified for, which had a schedule that ran around The Referee's work schedule. Part time. 4 days a week.

We knew this would mean big changes for our family, so I took some time to think about it and pray about it, before I applied. I wanted the job to be an asset to the family, not a source of stress. I would need to get the household chores and schooling the children on a much more efficient schedule, so that I can manage the home AND work outside the home. The Referee would have to commit to the task of managing the bedtime routine those 4 evenings. He is fully capable of handling bedtime, so that is good. I will need to revamp my sleep schedule and workout schedule as well.

The Referee was amazed that such an opportunity existed. He is confident we can work out the details just fine. We have more flexibility right now, because our children are old enough to be more independent, and everyone sleeps through the night. I sat down and crunched the numbers, to see how fast we can improve our situation, by applying my entire paychecks to the debt. It is incredible! I am inspired.

So, it's off to work I go...