https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:04:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418850 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:56:47 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2418850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Exactly what hummusgirl said. The question is how will you not working affect your family's overall financial health. It's not about what your income is or isn't comparable to that cost. If you can take a few years of 2 in daycare and still maintain some semblance of financial stability, and you like your job and career trajectory (and you like working), then I think it's worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418819 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:45:47 +0000 ElbieKay 2418819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds to me like you should do it, even if you are just throwing all the proceeds into your 401(k) and getting healthcare. That actually is a material gain for your family regardless.</p> <p>Or, skip the 401(k) for the year and a half and increase your take home pay. If you quit, you wouldn't be contributing to a 401(k) anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418786 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:34:11 +0000 Mommy Finger 2418786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Yes! Thank you! I was actually going to write something similar. I actually make more than DH. Thankfully he literally got a huge raise this week. However, previously, if we were to compare daycare costs for 2 against his salary after factoring in all of the costs of working (train, parking, etc.), we probably would have come out even. But him not working was never entertained as an option for several reasons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418754 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:17:51 +0000 jape14 2418754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: yes, this is a great way to frame this argument! DH makes way more than I do (like almost 5 times more) but childcare enables him to work, too - not just me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418748 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:15:01 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2418748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am about to start a new job, and with childcare we will barely break even. We will not get any benefits at all other than it will be a significant improvement for my mental health (I hope!). I would look at it as if you are paying that $200 so that you have insurance (which for a family of 4 would probably be far more expensive in the open market!) </p> <p>One thing you can look into is whether or not at the end of the year you are getting a tax refund. if so, you should adjust your withholdings so that you get more money in your pocket each month. And use a dependent care FSA to offset some of the cost of daycare. Those two things are helping us out just a little. It's enough that we can make it work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418738 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:11:57 +0000 hummusgirl 2418738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I would try to reframe childcare as a family expense, rather than just coming out of your paycheck. You both contribute to housing, food, etc. and this is just another bill to be paid to keep the household running. Why does no one ever suggest that the husband stops working in these situations?? This issue brings out the feminist in me, clearly! It sounds like you have many valid reasons for working and you shouldn't second-guess it just because childcare will cost a little more than your take-home (temporarily). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418720 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:04:02 +0000 catomd00 2418720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the health insurance for our family, too so that would be all the justification I need. Mental health is important and remembering daycare struggles are temporary. But it could be hard to return to work with a gap. Not to mention lost potential raises and promotions in that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418657 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:26:29 +0000 birdofafeather 2418657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>since you have a year to prepare, i would start socking that $$ away to prep. with your DH having his own business, i would absolutely plan on keeping working to keep your benefits! like so many bees have said before, the childcare is split between your two wages, not just yours! and health insurance is huge. since you have a short amount of time to cover the changes, i would still contribute to the 401K whatever your company will match and "pay" the rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418600 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:00:57 +0000 JoJoGirl 2418600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: Yes we definitely max out our dependent care FSA every year! Good point on the taxes, too.</p> <p>@Bluebonnet: YES I forgot about that. We're eligible for a raise every June (and they told me during salary negotiations, I would be eligible this June), so I would have a higher salary even before going out on maternity leave (ie higher STD payout). And yes I believe I get bonuses at this job so that would also close the gap a bit. </p> <p>All of that put together + reducing my 401K contribution + recognizing this is for less than 2 years, I feel a bit better. Also makes me glad our LOs will be 3.5 years apart, ha ha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418588 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:55:59 +0000 ShootingStar 2418588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others that you should keep working but stop or reduce 401k contributions. And, as another person pointed out, have you factored in the fact that you'll have another dependent to claim on your taxes? I believe for us, we get an additional $900/year per child. Also, owning a business means there are a lot of losses you can probably claim on your taxes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418566 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:44:41 +0000 Anagram 2418566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I'm in the same boat, and although it was a tough decision for me, I feel like I made the right decision. Daycare in my town is crazy expensive (like $2000-$2300 for 1 infant) and having a nanny is also expensive $2500/1 kid...$3000 and up for 2 kids.</p> <p>I'm a public school teacher, so obviously I can't afford paying north of $4000 a month in childcare. We don't have any family nearby at all, so there are no financial shortcuts for us. I've done a few things to cut childcare costs (my older daughter commutes with me 2 hours a day to a daycare closer to my work in the far-out suburbs because it's cheaper than in my town), but we hired a nanny for the baby because I needed it for my mental health. Right now, we are totally paying for me to work (well, I clear a little, but after factoring in commuting costs and work clothes and the occasional eating out I do, plus things I buy for daycare, it's pretty much a wash).</p> <p>But like you, the entire family is on my (really great) health insurance. We compared the plans my husband can get through his job to the plans I get as a state employee and there's just no comparison. I had 2 babies in 2 years and paid exactly $20 for all of that. I've had ER visits that cost me $30.</p> <p>On top of that, I'm paying into my pension and this is my tenure year as a teacher. If I quit and stay home, I start back over at the bottom of the pay scale and at the beginning of the (4 year long) tenure process.</p> <p>So I consider it to be a temporary thing for a longer-term benefit. =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418544 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:32:02 +0000 Bluebonnet 2418544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Other things to consider:<br /> - What is your earning potential? Will you be eligible for raises, bonuses, or promotions that will close the $200 a month gap?<br /> - Do you have other "fringe" benefits that would offset the cost (like your employer pays for professional memberships, parking/transportation, lunch regularly, or anything you'd otherwise have to pay for or there is a well being rewards program, etc)<br /> - You mentioned your husband just started a business - what is his earning potential? Would that change the benefits your qualify for at LO's daycare?</p> <p>I would not discount the value of good healthcare. Especially one with a cheap premium and no deductible!! That would be really expensive to replace! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418543 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:31:46 +0000 snowjewelz 2418543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd keep working and either just suck it up and pay out of savings for this season, or cut back on your 401k if you really need to. I think in your situation the benefits are worth it. Low premium and no deductible!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418527 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:23:07 +0000 pwnstar 2418527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: I agree. I think too often the analysis of *salary in vs. childcare out* is too one-dimensional/superficial and doesn't take into consideration a lot of benefits (most of which are mentioned in this thread). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418518 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:16:21 +0000 MrsSCB 2418518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Yes, it's hard to put a price on emotional wellbeing! If you guys can swing it, I would try not to focus on the idea that you're paying to work, but rather that it's only for a short time, and you're doing something valuable for your mental health and your future. In the short-term it might sound crazy, but I think it's important to take a more long-term view of things. Working can definitely have a lot of value beyond the immediate, tangible money factor. Plus, I think others have mentioned additional important considerations, like what the cost of health care would be if you weren't working. That's a major factor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418510 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:12:37 +0000 Applesandbananas 2418510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: have you reconsidered the figures with an additional dependent? You'll want to fill out a new W-4 for 2016 because baby will be an additional dependent on your taxes, which will translate to more $$ left in your paycheck. I would also reduce your 401k contribution to the minimum to take advantage of your company's match. This is a short season of life and you can up it once LO1 is in kindergarten!</p> <p>Do you participate in dependent care flex spending accounts? This is money taken from your paycheck used to reimburse you for daycare (the purpose being to make it so your daycare expenditures are made with pre tax dollars). There is a max of $5k per year, but it reduces your tax liability at least a little! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418509 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:11:31 +0000 ms.line 2418509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Health benefits are HUGE, plus you're contributing a lot to your 401k. I'd definitely keep your job, since you're looking at less than two years of both LOs in daycare, and scale back your 401k contributions if you need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418505 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:08:05 +0000 Smurfette 2418505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would cut back your 401K while you have two in day care so you break even. You are still putting money into it and the health benefits alone make it worth it to keep working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418504 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:07:37 +0000 Adira 2418504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Ugh, $8K IS a lot, but keep in mind that you'd have to pay outright for your health insurance if you quit. Would that be more or less than $8K? And how much money would you forfeit from 401k? Figure out how much you're putting in and take a guess at how much you'll earn in 20 months. Also, what are the chances that you'll get a raise in the next 20 months? What are the chances that you'll find a job AFTER these 20 months and get paid at least what you are making now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418499 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:05:50 +0000 Pancakes 2418499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: It sounds like it will suck for the short-term but be worth it in the long-run, especially since you just got a new job. It's great that your DH has his own business! Perhaps in a year or so he'll be making more as his business grows, and it won't feel like so much of a loss. I think the healthcare benefits alone make it worth you working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418496 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:04:26 +0000 juli7 2418496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a similar situation. My salary will cover daycare for two, but barely. However, adding in the cost of the benefits provided by my company (health insurance and a generous 401k match), I come out ahead. I keep focusing on that bigger number whenever I feel bad that I won't be taking home much in salary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418494 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:03:17 +0000 JoJoGirl 2418494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: Yes this. I don't WANT to stay home, which is the irony (it would be different if I both wanted to *and* it made financial sense). But paying to work makes me feel like I should consider it, because it's gross to pay more than I bring home. Just gross, I tell you! :) But it's so hard to quantify the "emotional" benefit of working, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418491 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:02:19 +0000 JoJoGirl 2418491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: That's a good question too. With DH's earnings and me not working, I'm sure we would qualify for something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418490 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:01:25 +0000 JoJoGirl 2418490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Another great point :) Let's see. $200 per paycheck = about $8K for 20 months. Gah that's a lot. </p> <p>@Applesandbananas: No sibling discounts, unfortunately. The center LO1 goes to doesn't accept kids younger than 15 months. And I just calculated that with our financial aid, her preschool actually comes out to a bit *cheaper* than the in-home!</p> <p>Nanny: I looked into this too. At around $18/hr, it would be about the same as 2 kids in daycare. But LO1 would be around 3.5 at the time so would want to keep her in preschool at least part-time, so that tips the scales away from it making sense. We are looking into an au pair too.</p> <p>I work full-time (5x/week). </p> <p>@regberadaisy: Yes I can work from home 1 day/week, but don't think I could do that AND watch 2 kids :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418484 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:59:05 +0000 LBee 2418484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Have you looked at if you would qualify for any assistance on the healthcare premiums if you were no longer working? I'm not advocating leaving your job (I would be more prone to temporarily decrease my 401(k) contribution so I was at least breaking even - I always tell clients to hit the first person running at you), but I was just throwing that out there. We pay for private insurance (long story) and it's about $900 for our family of three. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418482 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:58:46 +0000 MrsSCB 2418482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's a tough situation. This probably differs based on industry, but for me, I would be hesitant to be out of work for any prolonged period of time for fear that it would be hard to get back into it once the kids are both in school full time. And I know you said you love your job -- I think that accounts for a lot as well. I obviously haven't had this baby yet so I may change my mind, but I just don't think I'd enjoy being a SAHM. Working would be valuable for my personal happiness as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418477 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:56:52 +0000 pwnstar 2418477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I love the people with whom I work. If I didn't, I would not have returned (to my profession) after I had LO. </p> <p>I also think it's important to remember that this is what the picture looks like today. Even 6 months from now could look very different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418475 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:55:50 +0000 regberadaisy 2418475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: 😮 I'm sorry, but that's nutso. You will lose money to work and pay someone to watch your kids?? I'm not sure I would continue working if I was losing that much money.</p> <p>Can both kids go in the same daycare to get a sibling discount? Is WAH an option? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418474 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:55:48 +0000 Applesandbananas 2418474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you be willing to send both LOs to a cheaper in home center? What about a nanny? That might be more cost effective since you have Fridays off (or am I thinking of someone else?) I would think with a nanny, you might be able to structure it in such a way that you're only paying for 4 days per week. Maybe you could even structure your and DH's schedules so that you only need a nanny 7 hours per day instead of 9?</p> <p>I'm also newly pregnant with #2 and crunching the numbers is also giving me heartburn! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-work-with-2#post-2418473 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:55:04 +0000 Adira 2418473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: 15% is great! Honestly, if you can afford to just pull the $200 from savings, I would do that and keep your 401k as is, but only if you can swing that. Obviously you don't want to deplete your savings, but with the interest your 401k is going to get, you're going to get more for your money having it invested than sitting in your bank account. But definitely do what makes the most sense for your family! And I know if it was me, I'd do whatever I could to keep working - I'm not cut out to be a SAHM. Good luck figuring it all out. &lt;3 </p>