To Work or Not to Work?

January 22, 2013 By Anne

This mommy has not been working full time since our move in February. It has been nice not having to go into an office and work for 40 hours a week. I’m still working…here on my blog. When Savannah goes to school, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I work non-stop for 4-5 hours. And of course in between on other days. I have no idea how I took care of this blog, worked 40 hours and laundry, dinner and all the other stuff us moms do! Some days there is just so much stuff going on!

However, I think I will be going back to an office job in August when Savannah starts school full time. She will be in Kindergarden. I love being home and working on Mommy Has to Work, but I don’t think I’m made out to be a stay at home mom. Even a work at home mom. Only because my husband is home all day too! That is a little stressful having us both home all day. I do try to keep busy though.

A new elementary school will be built in the next two years and I would love to work in the school. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, but I don’t see that happening so second choice would be to work in the school in the office. I have a ton of experience working in a medical office, so I’m thinking of taking a few courses to add to my resume. Courses such as Sage Line 50 Training, would help focus with jobs that involve accounting, book keeping and payroll courses.

While I can probably get a job at a medical office, I really think I want to wait and work at the new school. So maybe I’ll get another year at home. I’m so undecided!! Who knows? Maybe this will the year I can do a ton more here on Mommy Has to Work and then I can be a work at home mom. Maybe I can some part time job until the school opens. It was easier when I had to work then all the decisions were made for me! Just work, work, work!

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Anyone not have to work, work 9-5?

This is a partnered post. All opinions and story are my own.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

A Day Out w/Chevy!

December 5, 2012 By Anne

I got to test drive a 2013 Chevy Camero!! More on that later…..

While I had my hot little car…I was invited to bring some friends along to the Southern Women’s Show in Jacksonville, FL and have lunch on Chevy!

Before we got started walking around the show, we got to test drive some very cool cars and trucks. Below my neighbor, Linda, chose the big truck!

The Southern Women’s Show was way cool! There were booths set up with vendors that were all about WOMEN! Above I was trying out an awesome vegetable peeler. I ended buying one of those and love it!!

Here, my cousin, Megan had a mini manicure.

Merrilee, had some mole removed, or they tried to remove with a dermabrasion thingy. I would love a home dermabrasion kit.

My favorite picture is of Merrilee doing the chicken dance…. LOL!

Then it was off to lunch at the River City Brewing Company. I tried Mesquite Fish Tacos. They were awesome!! I can’t wait to go back and get some more.

Then Jennifer took us over to the water and took some more photos of us.

We all had a great time and I want to thank Chevy for an awesome Girls Day Out!

Stay tuned for my Camero review!!

Show passes and lunch was provided for us. Opinions are my own.

Anne

How I Changed My Spending Habits

September 26, 2012 By Anne

About four years ago, my husband was diagnosed with MS, Multiple Sclerosis and could not go back to work.

I had no idea what I was going to do with our finances. I needed that income! Our children were 1 and 8 at the time. Hunter, my eight year old was playing sports. I knew we couldn’t afford it next season. I even had to borrow money from my mom just to pay our mortgage.

So what could I do?

The first thing I did was call our mortgage company and asked for a loan modification. Wow, what an experience this was! There was a ton of paperwork to fill out. Lots of papers to copy, bills and such. Lots of phone calls. It took over a year and us finally not paying a month of mortgage to get it to finally go through, but it saved us $500 a month on our mortgage.

While waiting for the modification to go through, I started clipping coupons and visiting numerous coupon websites out there. I only bought foods on sale and /or with a coupon. We planned our meals around the sale flyer. I had never done anything like this before.

We stopped going out to eat, stopped going to the movies. I think there was a two year period where we did not see a movie in the theaters. We rented instead and made our own pizzas. I stopped buying paper towels as much and napkins completely. I made my own napkins instead.

I bought as much clothing as I could at Goodwill or yard sales. I already liked to do this on occasion, but made it a point to go more often. Hunter’s school uniforms were all from there. That Christmas for my 2 year old daughter, most of her gifts were from yard sales. She had no clue and loved them just as much as if I bought them at full price!

Once the modification took place, it was a help, but we were still in need of more income.

Another year later, his disability kicked in and we could breath again! I paid back my mom and paid off some credit cards that had increased.

But you know what? I still clip coupons, we still make our own pizzas and rent movies and I still shop at thrift stores. Even though we have the extra money I don’t want to spend it! I almost think I may be too frugal, can that be? We bought a new home and now I need to start planning for our retirement. It seems like a long way off, but I want to at least start.

I’m hoping this will help teach our kids to save money. It’s so hard for them to understand that money really doesn’t grow on trees.

Inspired by Genworth Financial. Story and content are real.

Anne

Christmas Will be Different This Year.

September 12, 2012 By Anne

Christmas is coming up fast. I mean Halloween will be here next month!!

I’m excited to get some cooler weather and I’m really looking forward to decoration our new house this season! The last few years, I didn’t really feel like decorating.

Getting back to Christmas – shopping!! Many of you will be shopping on line for all your gifts. I will do a little I’m sure. Make sure to check for coupons while shopping. Yes there are coupons for gifts, not just food. You can really save money with discount codes.

So, what are we doing different this year?

We decided not to but too much this year for the kids. I mean they will still have a great Christmas, but it just seems like sometimes we buy just because. We decided to do things different. We are going to buy gifts according to this:

Something you want

Something you need

Something to wear

Something to read/watch

Now – the something you wear could be a whole outfit. So it’s not we’re just going to go get a t-shirt and gift that. I am also asking the grandparents to gift an experience. Like a trip to the zoo or a movie and lunch. Kids remember that so more than a doll they got from Grammy.

We are also going to adopt an angel for the angel tree or something similar and have the kids pick out gifts to donate to a child in need.

We told the kids what we are doing and they seem to be okay with it.

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Are you doing anything different this holiday season?

Anne

My Dreams Came True!

May 10, 2012 By Anne

Once upon a time there was a women who married a man with three little boys. She raised those boys with her husband, but always dreamed of having her own little children. With all the boys in the house she dreamed of a little girl.

The day came when she was going to have a baby of her own and after a very brief moment of disappointment, found out she would be having a little boy. The sweetest little boy she could ever have was born. She couldn’t have had a better little boy. He was kind, gentle, just adorable!

Years went by, but the woman still longed for a little girl. Plans were made. Research was done. Finally another baby on the way!

Prayers were said. Hopes were high! Finally the day came to find out – a baby girl would be had!

The woman’s dreams to have her own children, a boy and a girl, finally came true!

Yes, that’s my story…. silly and cute. But very true! The day my children were born was like a visit from my own Fairy Godmother, or was it the Fairy Hobmother? lol

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How have your dreams come true?

I was just recently visited by the Fairy Hobmother, who is spreading light and joy throughout the blogosphere. Leave a comment and The Fairy Hobmother may visit you too!