work at home for busy moms (Part 1)

How To Tell If Working At Home Is Right For You                              
You love the idea of being able to 
work at home and relish the notion 
of spending more time with the 
family, but you’re just not sure this is 
the right road for you. Don’t sweat it 
– you are not alone in your doubts. 
Just about every woman who has 
ever launched a successful at-home 
career has faced them. Still, it’s smart 
to be sure. 
Working at home does require a lot of dedication, discipline and patience. It’s just not 
for everyone, and that is perfectly okay. There are a few things that should be carefully 
considered if you’re intending to become a work at home mom. Even if you are a stay at 
home mom, adding a career into the mix can change things a bit. To make sure you’re 
going in a good direction for you, it is important to review such things as finances, family 
support and your ability to cope with the prospect of working at home. Some moms 
thrive in this situation, but others wither.

  Financial Positioning Matters  

If you’re planning on leaving a paying job to work 
at home, having a good handle on your finances 
will be a must. In most cases, it will take some time 
to build up a business or freelance venture enough 
to replace a workaday job. Beyond the capital 
needed to launch the business, you will also need a 
nest egg to cover the startup period. 
How much money to set aside will be dependent 
on a number of factors, including:  
 Your monthly bills  Understand just how big your contribution is to the family’s budget on a monthly basis. Make sure to have figure covered for at least a few months. Three months can do the trick, but it’s a conservative (and safer) choice to shoot for six to even 12. Keep these figures separate from what you’ll need to give your business venture a fighting chance as success, as well. 
 Anticipated extra expenses  Establishing a business at home can take a little upfront capital. Beyond what is needed to cover the family, you’ll also want money for equipment, marketing, licensing and so on. A small business loan might work in some cases, but for many at-home operations, you’ll be on your own with startup costs. 
 Projected “red period”  While business plans might not always pan out exactly on schedule, have a good understanding of your particular venture’s anticipated period of running in the red. You’ll want to make sure you have the money available to cover this period and keep growing the business. Be realistic here.  
If finances are standing in your way, consider seeking out loans, activating a savings plan 
or just working at your business part time at first. There are ways to make your dream 
happen even if the cash isn’t available as quickly as you’d like it to be.