Christina
Rowe
Your financial situation after a divorce depends
on these factors: support and settlement payments, job status,
business opportunities, time, assets, and the financial needs
of you and your family. Traditionally, stay-at-home moms have
had the most difficult transition after a divorce. Usually the
stay-at-home mom suddenly has to find work. Most likely you did
have a job before you had kids, and your first thought might be
to go back to your old workplace and see what’s available.
Then you often come up against the ladder model.
This is the way many businesses operate. You climb up one rung
at a time, but if you get off the ladder you land at the bottom
again. When a woman quits her job, and goes home to raise the
kids, she loses her place in the business world. She not only
misses out on promotions; she often won't even be able to walk
back into the job she left. She’s gotten off the ladder.
This doesn’t mean things are hopeless, but many stay-at-home
moms have a lot of catching up to do, and there is no way to entirely
escape the effects of lost time.
Here are three easy ways to get back on track:
1. Assess your skills. What have you learned in
your years in the home? Is there any part of being a housewife
and mother that you’re particularly good at? Something people
pay for? Something you like? Or was there any particular thing
you were good at back when you worked? Something you could develop
now, and quickly develop into a service with a market? It’s
important that it be something you like. I don’t believe
you can be happy working full-time at a job you hate.
Make a list of all of the things you enjoy doing.
Might there be a job in a field that could harness your natural
talents and pay you a decent salary? For example, let’s
say that you love to plan parties. Could you get a job in a party
planning company? A catering hall? How about working in a hotel
as an event planner? Do you love kids? How about running a daycare
center out of your home? That way you do not have to pay a sitter.
(Though be careful of the daycare option; it’s an idea that
occurs to so many single mothers, and the field is often crowded.
Before you get a license make sure you have customers.)
I could give you example after example here but
the point is to find something you enjoy and find a way to incorporate
that into your work. If you are marketing your skills, remember
to be businesslike about it. This applies to appearance, courtesy,
and confidence, but it also means watching the bottom line. Always
look at what you are spending, what you are getting for it, and
how much profit you’re making.
2. Assess your education. Do you already have
a college degree or some other training? Can you go back to school
to learn a trade? There are many short-term courses out there
that can have you earning money in no time. A typical realtor’s
course is only a few weeks of full-time attendance. A hair stylist
can get a license in most states in nine months of full-time schooling,
and it’s a job where you can make terrific money. I used
to own a hair salon and the stylists made much more money than
I did! Most hairdressers get high commissions and make a lot in
tips. For the most part they set their own hours.
Check into other programs that can get you certified
in a short time. Schools offer refresher courses in many skills.
When my ex complained that he had been out of the computer field
for too long and couldn’t find work, I called the school
where he had learned his skills years earlier—the Chubb
Institute. They offered free refresher courses and job placement.
See if you qualify for such a program. We never know until we
ask. But most importantly, pick something you have an interest
in and that you will do well.
3. Think about starting your own business. Many
businesses can be started on little or no money. In the past I
have sold children’s clothing on eBay, and the eBay business
model works for a lot of services. In many cities people offer
to clean out garages and attics, selling the contents on eBay,
and splitting the profits 50/50 with the owner. I found a huge
demand for used children’s clothing. Most of us throw our
kids’ clothing into those donation bins. You can sell those
clothes on eBay and make money. All you need is a computer and
a digital camera. Ask friends who are discarding their hand-me-downs
to give them to you instead.
This also applies to antiques, collectibles, and
other valuables. People have so many things they would love to
get rid of but they don’t have the time. There are other
options. Many women have begun cleaning homes or businesses, and
soon find themselves employing others to do the actual cleaning,
while they price jobs, do the hiring, and inspect the work. Of
course there are countless small business ideas that you can do
right from your home. Be creative. If it seems sensible, team
up with a friend or partner. Owning your own business can be fun,
profitable, and boost your self-esteem. It can also get you tax
breaks, freedom from bosses, and it may even make you rich.
Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com Christina Rowe
is the author of the new book "Seven Secrets To A Successful
Divorce-What Every Woman Needs To Know". Find out the survival
skills that will save you time, money and heartache during your
divorce. For your free chapter of the book go to: www.secretsofdivorce.com
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