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See the Survey Results
Stay at Home Mom's Survey

So many couples are working so hard these days to make ends meet. TaxMama hears many complaints from parents that they just don't have the time they'd like to have to spend with their children. Clearly, listening to news about education scores and children on drugs, and everyone being so stressed, things need to change.

Sometimes, all it takes to change your life is someone asking the right questions.

So, this survey is as much for you as it is for our readers. Use these questions as a starting point to look at your own finances. Perhaps seeing just how much it costs you both to work outside the home will help you evaluate how much your household income really needs to be in order to maintain your home and lifestyle - on one salary. Remember, when you consider your numbers for staying at home, or working from home, you will STILL need some child care. Otherwise, you'll get nothing done, or you will stress out. So, take that into account in your numbers (unless you know that you have friends who will take care of your children for a few hours and vice versa).

Your answers to these questions will be the foundation for an article, or a series of articles, to help couples survive on one income. Or to give you the courage to quit one of those jobs and run a business from home. Some people, if you are willing, may be contacted in the next few months, for more in-depth interviews.

Thank you for your help.

Let's just see if we can remove some of those shackles of too much freedom and too many choices.

______________________


Do you work outside the home?
Yes
No


Are you a full-time mom or dad?
Yes
No


Do you work from home?
Yes
No
Part-Time
Both at home and at office
Either at home or office - my choice


Does your primary job give you the flexibility to work from home Or the office as you see fit?
Yes
No
Somtimes
I work from home full-time
Not Applicable


I don’t work. I’m not a parent. I am simply free to do volunteer work or use my time as I see fit.
Yes
No

Other: What IS your work situation?


Were you working outside the home and quit your job to take care of your child or family?
Yes
No
I was laid off/fired and decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
Other (Please specify below):



Did you work outside the home and quit because your finances are so strong you don’t need to work?
Yes
No


Did you work outside the home and quit because you could run a more lucrative business at home?
Yes
No


Other: Please explain why you quit work



Did you make a financial plan for save up for a few years before parenthood?

Yes
No


Were you able to work out a budget, before you quit, that let you live on your spouse’s salary?
Yes
No


Are you able to live within your projections? Or will you have to find another income source?
Yes
No
We need extra income certain times of year


Full-time Parent only - Do you feel that you are getting left behind in your professional skills or job-market skills
Yes
No
Sometimes
When I lay down to sleep at night
When I am all alone and feeling blue


Full-time Parent only - If you were to have to go back to work today, could you make a living?

Yes
No
Yes, but earning at least 25% less than before
Yes, but earning at least 50% less than before
Yes, but earning over 60% less than before
Other (Specify):


Full-time Parent only - Do you know how to pay the bills, handle insurance issues and get ready for tax time?
Yes
No


Full-time Parent only - Are you doing things to keep yourself marketable or stay educated in your profession?
Yes
No
I used to, but no any more.
I want to. Just don't get the time.


What does it cost you to work outside the home? (The system will not add it up for you.)

Child Care (in home or out) .....
Clothes for work ...................
Dry Cleaning ........................
Eating Out ..........................
Housekeeper .......................
Supplies .............................
Phones ..............................
cell phones .........................
pagers ...............................
Internet .............................
bus ...................................
trains/Subways ...................
cabs .................................
Auto expenses ....................
gas ...................................
auto insurance ....................
repairs & maintenance ..........
parking ..............................
tolls ..................................
tickets and fines .................
Other (list below):


Optional: Where do you live?
City ..............................
State/Province ...............
Country .........................


Optional: Sex
Man
Woman


Optional: Income level (household)
Under $25,000
$25,001 - $50,000
$50,001 - $75,000
$75,001 - $100,000
$100,001 - $150,000
$150,001 - $250,000
$250,001 - $500,000
Over $500,000


Optional: Number of Children
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Five - Ten
Over Ten


Optional: If you are willing to be interviewed, please provide complete contact information.(Please note, if ALL the information requested below is not provided, we will not be able to call upon you.)
Name
E-mail address
Phone Number
Best time to reach you by phone
Your Time Zone



Now, looking at the costs to work, how much would you spend on those same things if you worked from home?

Child Care (in home or out) ..........
Clothes for work ........................
Dry Cleaning .............................
Eating Out ...............................
Housekeeper ............................
Supplies ..................................
Phones ....................................
Cell phones ..............................
Pagers ....................................
Internet ..................................
Bus ........................................
Trains/Subways .......................
Cabs ......................................
Auto expenses .........................
Gas .......................................
Auto insurance ........................
Repairs & maintenance ..............
Parking ..................................
Tolls ......................................
Tickets and fines .....................
Other (Please Specify):



Looking at the costs above, for working. How much would those costs be if you didn't work at all? Not even from home?
Child Care (in home or out) ..........
Clothes for work ........................
Dry Cleaning .............................
Eating Out ...............................
Housekeeper ............................
Supplies ..................................
Phones ....................................
Cell phones ..............................
Pagers ....................................
Internet ..................................
Bus ........................................
Trains/Subways .......................
Cabs ......................................
Auto expenses .........................
Gas .......................................
Auto insurance ........................
Repairs & maintenance ..............
Parking ..................................
Tolls ......................................
Tickets and fines .....................
Other (Specify)


Comments, or anything else you think is Important?


Thanks so much for participating.