Ed and I have been rolling this idea around for a while now. We are doing "well" on just his income but we are not saving money. There is no extra money for anything like vacations, eating out, activities for the boys etc. I just put the boys in a karate class and am regreting it, financially that is. Ed needs a new truck very badly! His is a 1989 Ford F350. He needs a truck to do his side jobs, landscaping/ snow plowing. I'm going to need a new car in a few years and we want to move into a bigger house. We have one credit card that we are having a hard time paying down.

We sat down together and went over a few things. 1) was to take in a child to care for. My friend is a single dad and his 20 year old daughter is pregnant. I was going to offer to watch the baby for them. This would be good because I could take Ben with me and I could bring the baby to my house when the two older boys are home. Then we started thinking that it might be better for me to get out of the house a few days a week AWAY from kids, KWIM?

2) The second idea is to start a residential cleaning business. I did this during high school and college and made great money! I really do enjoy cleaning and am very good at it. I would be working Wed, Thur, and Fridays. Most people want their homes nice and clean for the weekend. I would do up to 2 houses a day. Ed would have to schedule his side job around my schedule and I would have to hire a sitter on the days that he has to work on the fire department. The idea is to eventually find people to work with me, they will then take over the cleaning part and I would run the business from home doing price quoting, billing etc. I have a few friends that do this and they can teach me how.

My idea is to do "Green Cleaning" I would use all green products. If you had the choice between regular products or green which would you choose?

I also need some ideas on what to name the company. I would like to include the landscaping/ snow plowing and home repair work that Ed does. Or do you think I should keep it seperate?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Even though I know life as a working mom is really hard, I think it would be great for you to have something that is just yours. Even if money is the primary reason for doing it, it would still be great for you to be able to do something besides mothering day in and day out... as wonderful as mothering is, believe me, work is the BREAK! :lol: I think naming the business in representation of both of your sides might depend on whether or not you intend to file under the same tax ID? You might want to have someone financial analyze which approach is more cost effective.

I had a thought for the name of your joint business... but once I said it aloud, I think "In & Out' might conjure up a different image that what you had in mind. :giggle: I think going green is a GREAT idea, that would definitely set you apart!

I run a business too, and I won't lie that it's hard work, I am constantly busy and looking after 4 boys and working is a hard act to juggle.

IN SAYING THAT, just being a standard SAHM or a Working mum is just as hard, just different, so I wouldn't let that discourage you. I think joining the business up is a great idea because it makes it an all round business, and will probably help encourage work from both sides, someone rings up for outside work and by answering the phone with a business name that telling them you do all kinds of work encourages extra jobs from them.

I would work out though how much actual money you would be make vs the cost of the sitter, there is a minimum amount I would add that extra work load to my life for, so I would definately make sure it's a decent amount before committing.

good luckl!

Deb and Kristen,

Thank you so much for the support!!! :hug99:

We decided to go ahead with the cleaning business. Word of mouth has been amazing! I'm already starting a job this Friday and it is right up the street from my house. I have another job that will start in two weeks. And I have 4 other people that are interested. I just have to finalize it. I'm excited!

Good for you!

Can you come to my house? :awink: IMO, the idea of "green" cleaning is awesome!

That is great! I think with housecleaning, once you have a happy customer, word will spread quickly. Especially if you're priced well. Have you figured out how you're going to charge? (like for one-time vs. regular cleanings, deep clean vs. minimal) Just curious. :)

I think green products is a great idea especially in houses with kids or allergies.

I am awfully impressed, cleaning is HARD work and I have to say not the first thing I'd love to do for my job. But I guess since most SAHMs spend a ridiculous amount of time cleaning anyway, I'd rather get paid for it than not! :lol:

Good luck!

Cami,

I have a friend who has been in the business for years. She told me how to price the jobs. Most people want every other week. I give them a flat rate. The good part about this is that once I get the house under control I will spend less time in the house but still get paid the same.

Oh Elisete, that is fantastic. Sounds like you have a good head for this and already bookings that is fabulous!!! (sorry..we have been watching HSM2 here and Fabulous is my daughters favorite word right now :lol:

My mom has a housekeeper..she too comes every other week with a flat rate. It works out great and she does extra cleaning for special occasions for a higher rate that mom mom often takes advantage of..(Just something to think about)