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Spouse in School

malloryehowardmalloryehoward member
in Working Moms
I work full-time out of the house and my husband went back to school full-time about 18 months ago, right after our daughter was born.  He works part-time in the evenings/weekends when I am home.  He has been doing course work online this whole time, but recently came to the realization that for his coursework moving forward he needs to be in a traditional classroom.  He wants more for his life than just working retail (hence why he went back to get his degree) and of course I want that for him too!  However, I only make an admin assistant salary and that's not enough to pay our bills (even with him working part-time we are really scrapping by).  With him going to school in person that will change everything and I am contemplating taking a second job just to help ends meet.  I have lots of ideas, but they require me making like 2x what my salary is.  I love my job and the company I work for and due to several factors I don't anticipate being able to find a higher paying job elsewhere.

Mostly, I am just curious if you had a spouse in school and one of you worked full time.  How did you juggle childcare?  How did you pay for things?  Since we have already been doing this for 18 months our budget is already pretty slimmed down.  We're at the point of considering giving away our elderly dogs, or selling our home (even though we will not be able to find cheaper rent/mortgage payments in our current state).  We really need to change something drastic, especially with the changes to medicare which will add an additional $200-$300 a month to our expenses in January.  

I just need some insight into what worked for other families.  What did you do, no matter how drastic?  I truly desire for my husband to be fulfilled in work and do something that he enjoys, which requires a degree.  

Sorry this is kinda venty...I just need some creative solutions...or reassurance that a big change will work out.  
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Re: Spouse in School

  • mommaofmultiplesmommaofmultiples member
    What type of degree is your husband working on?  For graduate schools, there are many programs that provide a stipend to graduate students so you are not out any money.  That is what my husband did.  It was hard for a while but we made it through.  I would not give away your dogs.  We have 2 dogs and 4 children.  You can do it!  It also does not sound like selling your home would work.  I would look for programs that give stipends to students instead of costing money.  If he is working on a college degree, I have even seen programs for that where they give a scholarship if you are an adult going back to school.
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  • meggymemeggyme member
    Are there any night classes offered for his degree? That way he could possibly hold a full time job while attending classes. Or vise versa, classes during the day and work at night. It might take longer to get a degree than being a full time student, but if your finances don’t allow it, then compromises have to be made.
    DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
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