After some opinions
I am a SAHM of 3 under 3 (I know, I know, I’m crazy). Hubby has a well paying job, we live comfortably with our current expenses but we really don’t have much leftover. I have been fortunate to be able to not ‘have to’ work since my first was born, however I stumbled into a little home business which I love love love
Currently I put 3yr & 1yr old in daycare once a week. It cost me $50/day each ($100 total)
My little business brings in around $500 a week, with a 50% profit margin. I’m really only walking away with $250 a week (there are times where it’s more and times when it’s less)
It takes me about 4 hours a week to pack orders, but I spend a lot more on my phone facilitating the order. So I feel like I work for pennies sometimes.
This is the only thing I do for me. Without the business I wouldn’t put the kids in daycare as we wouldn’t be able to afford it, so the business and daycare are a packaged deal. If I stopped the business, I’d stop daycare.
Now my question is. At the start of next year I want to put my now 4mth old (will be 1) in daycare one day a week as it becomes impossible and slightly dangerous for me to do my work (breakable items) with a 1yr old running around. With 3 kids it’s going to cost me $150.00 for 1 day, BUT, then 4yr old could do the kindy program which will be $150 for 3 days, so I’m looking at $250.00 total
If business was booming sure, it’s a no brainer but based on my standard of $250 a week is it worth it?
9 Replies
Is your business growing or potentially could grow, or is this the best it gets? If it can grow, go for it, you will be able to do more with them all in care and it won't be long until they are all at school. I have had 3 under 3 too, so I know it flies super quickly, hats off to you for finding time to run a business I was battling to have a shower every day 😂.
Ebbs and flows. Probably at it’s maximum now but certainly has room to grow. If I didn’t have small kids I’d certainly have more time for advertising and promoting and going to events (like markets) but the kids are too young to be able to find time to invest time
Most of my business is word of mouth, which I don’t think is too bad. I do have to quote everyone which takes up time (I have a website too and it’s all on there but it doesn’t save me much time as people want to talk it through anyway)
What’s a shower?
If you Chanel more energy into it, that may drive up sales.
I think it’s definitely worth it. Having your own identity is important. Keeping up skills is important.
3 children in sport etc you maybe be grateful later for the extra money
I’m already giving it what I can with current energy levels, 3 under 3, up all night - but don’t exactly want to work in the pitch black
I love it, I don’t want to lose my business Just to get a random 9-5 but I also can’t justify working for nothing sometimes.
Ahhhh it’s a hard decision
If it’s only dangerous while packing and you only work for four hours a week packing, keep the kids home and pack orders at nap time or once they are in bed and keep the money
Been trying for 3 years, it doesn’t work as I have 3 and not all sleep/will be sleeping at the same time if at all
4 hours with kids at home becomes 8 hours with all the interruptions. I really can only do the business with the kids not there, I’m looking at daycare&business or neither at this stage :(
Have you filled in for child care subsidy, providing how many hours your putting into this business? Child care subsidy doesn't necessarily go off just how much money's coming into the hours but a huge factor is the amount of hours both parents are working..... the more hrs the more subsidy.
Yes it’s not just about the money and not just about right now. It’s also good for the kids to see u working and the older one should do a kindy program Regardless (look into community kindy too it’s better and cheaper). The socialisation is great for them and the business is great for you and may lead to bigger things when the kids are at school.
Yes it’s not just about the money and not just about right now. It’s also good for the kids to see u working and the older one should do a kindy program Regardless (look into community kindy too it’s better and cheaper). The socialisation is great for them and the business is great for you and may lead to bigger things when the kids are at school.