Budgeting Your Time

Deciding to leave the 9 to 5 grind behind and work from home was a great personal choice, but it does not suit everyone. There are times when you have to bend the hours of your new career choice around the family schedule and that may or may not be suitable for everyone.

The Pros of working from home:

More time with your family; not having to get up at 5 or 6 a.m. everyday; there is less stress getting kids off to school when you don’t have to get ready for work too; no commuting stress; you don’t have to beg for time off to attend school meetings or doctor’s appointments; money is saved by not having to buy work clothes; no commute = gas $avings and less wear and tear on the car; no day care costs; and the list goes on.

The Cons of working from home:

More distractions, especially when everyone comes home, or off for the holidays; sometimes difficult to budget your time; others not handling the concept that you are actually working and are not free or available; possible income adjustments in the beginning; the temptation to overwork or in reverse, work less; many times you are 100% on your own with no one to lean on.

There are some people that have no problem working and being productive in their pajamas, while there are others that cannot function without the structure of a morning routine and at the office by 9 mentality. If you are set on giving the work from home routine a try, then prepare yourself accordingly. If you work better dressed for the part, then go ahead. Shower, dress and go to your “office” for work times.

Some possible solutions for making the transition go well include setting family rules and learning to budget your time wisely. Write out and post a schedule if that helps. Do not try to do everything in one day. If you can be more productive by sectioning parts of your work for certain times or days of the week, schedule yourself that way.

Family schedules will vary depending on the ages of your children and working schedule of your spouse, so you may have a varied schedule, but try to stick to a something similar on a daily basis. For example, if the kids are school aged, then try to do your most productive and demanding work during the hours they are gone from the house. If they are home, try to work during nap and quiet times.

Once everyone comes home for the day, it is time to take a break and enjoy time with them. If convenient and if you have any energy left, there’s always an hour or so you could squeeze in after they have gone off to bed.

Everyone’s home and family life are different so only you know what is best for your particular situation.

An example of my day –

Up around 7 a.m. to see my kids off to school (middle school age) and have a cup of coffee with my husband before he goes off to work. Throw a load of laundry in the washer and do a little clean-up where necessary. Between 8:30 and 9, the computer goes on and I go through my emails (try to limit email checks to twice a day, any more and it can become a time-waster).

Break-time is around noon, time for a stretch, so I usually grab the vacuum, fold the laundry, iron etc. and grab a quick snack before sitting down for the afternoon session. The day usually starts winding down around 5 when the kids start coming home (depending on time of year and sports practice or after school activity schedule). Time to go to the kitchen and start preparing dinner, chat with my daughters about their day, school happenings and keep an eye on their computer time at a desk just off the kitchen.

My husband usually comes home between 6:30 and 7pm, so dinner is shortly after, family time, homework, bed for the girls is around 10. Of course the times are not set in stone, some days can end extremely late if there was a late game or other event, late meeting, or something else, but that’s the basic idea. I am a bit of a night owl, so I’ll usually get back on the computer for a few hours.

Some days, there might be so much going on, that I would not be able to work effectively enough to get anything accomplished – so I don’t work that day. That is one of the perks of being able to work from home.

One of the most difficult, but important things you need to get through to others (children, family and friends etc) is that when you are working, you are really working. They often lose site of that because you are home. You can help with this by not being so available at all times. Resist the urge to answer your phone when a friend calls during working hours. If it is important, they will leave a message.

Set rules and boundaries that little ones will understand as well as some rules older children (and adults). It can be difficult in the beginning, but once everyone gets used to a constant set of rules and routines things will go very smoothly. It takes discipline on your part to make it a success.

Remember the reason you chose to work from home – it is great motivation!