Working for myself isn’t just about making money, it’s about living a different lifestyle.
When I began dreaming about that lifestyle (again) a few days ago I began thinking about how many things I wouldn’t have to deal with anymore. Then I asked myself how much all those things cost, which led me to ask, “How much could I save if I quit my day j-o-b?”
Here is the answer I came up with…
Commute:
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360 miles per week @ 23.5 mpg = 15.3 gallons of gas @ an average of $2.45 per gallon.
$37.53 per week plus 10% for wear and tear = $41.29 per week
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Total per year = $2146.83
Coffee ‘treats’ and eating out for lunch:
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3x week Starbucks run = $14.65 per week
3x week lunch = $28.50 per week
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Total per year = $2243.80
“Work” clothes (If I worked for me my wardrobe would do double duty and be more casual):
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Yearly-
Shoes: $149.98
Slacks: $167.97
Blouses: $209.97
Misc: $247.00
- Total per year = $774.92
Holiday and monthly gift giving:
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Holidays: $650 per year
Monthly parties, gifts, collections, etc: $120 per year
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Total per year = $770.00
After work shopping trips to avoid sitting in traffic or because I am stressed and unhappy:
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2x per week @ an average of $30
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Total per year = $3120.00
Thanks, Connie. MALWAJ is a book that keeps giving. I can’t wait to see where it takes you!
Yes! Yes! Yes!! Just last week I had a great conversation with Jennifer Hugon (who you met at Creative Dig) and she told me that a big part of going in biz for herself had to do with saving money on these exact same things! You both have me totally inspired now to see just how much would I save.
Plus…on the flight back to AZ I started reading my book I won from you…and Wow!! What a gift! You my friend are a gift as well!!
Peace & Love.
Thanks, Beth! I agree totally about eating at home – it is better for you and cost so much less. It is even more important when you have kids. Thanks Again!!
For a mother with younger kids it could save babysitting or pre-school fees. It also is a big time saver. Usually, by being home you eat better at less cost, have the time to fix things instead of shell out money to someone else, have more time to clip coupons and use them when you shop for groceries (or even other things such as haircuts), and much more. Best of all a lot of the strategies you can implement add $ to your bottom line tax-free. More time to spend with your family and develop those relationships and do what is important to you is priceless. Great post!
I love the way you think, Sandy. Don’t forget to add in the cost of doctor visits from all the work-stress related ailments employees suffer.
I love this. It’s amazing the corners you learn to cut when the money isn’t there. (IE, I used to spend $65 on a hair cut every six weeks – now I either cut it myself, have a friend cut it, or would go to the beauty school.)
Great piece! And that doesn’t even count the time savings you’d accrue from quitting your job!
Oh, wow. I know so many people who should read this. Off to spread the word now.
I LOVE this, Sandy.
Marcy and I and some friends were just talking about this craziness in this culture of the two job family. And the pressure that everyone work — aka, MAKE MONEY.
And yet, working can COST money — and health and sanity, more importantly.
I am oversimplifying here because I know you “get it,” but Barbara — more people could use this info, so write that piece!
This is great, Sandy. I’ve been meaning to write a piece called Can You Afford to Have a Job? Now I don’t have to!