| Wow, is it hard to survive financially these days! | | | | would guestimate that 90% or more of us work |
| Especially trying to make it on one income! I have | | | | jobs on our off days. In our department, we |
| heard more than one of my firefighter comrades | | | | have construction workers, loggers, painters, |
| say, "Man, I don't see how you make it!" Well, I | | | | computer techs, and truck drivers just to name a |
| can say that it is not easy. Homeschool moms | | | | few. Some guys even work on an ambulance on |
| are also involved in the process of finding ways to | | | | their off time! |
| make the extra money it requires just to get the | | | | Besides making a commitment to have mom |
| bills paid and hopefully have enough extra money | | | | stay home to raise the kids, we also made the |
| to get away and have a night out. | | | | commitment to homeschool those kids! This |
| My wife and I have been married for almost 20 | | | | involves more sacrifices. But again, the rewards |
| years and before we had our three children, we | | | | are worth the sacrifices that were made! There |
| made a commitment that she would stay home | | | | are many reasons for the decision we made to |
| and raise the kids. At first, it was quite a sacrifice. | | | | home school. I won't get into those in this article. |
| At the time, she was pulling in just over $10,000 | | | | The point is between working, being involved in |
| a year. (Of course, that ten thousand went a lot | | | | the schooling process and keeping up the home |
| further that it does today.) We found ourselves | | | | and making time for family, there is little time left |
| scaling back on some of the non-essentials of life. | | | | for making extra money. |
| We went from having two vehicles to just one | | | | So what do we do, you ask? We have turned to |
| and did not get to go and do things as often as | | | | the unlimited opportunities of the internet! One for |
| we had been. But, looking back on it, I can | | | | instance is eBay! This is perfect for working at |
| definitely say it was well worth it. | | | | home. It is perfect for busy lives! There is no |
| As many of you probably know, firefighters work | | | | need to man a store during certain hours and you |
| odd hours. Someone has to be at the firehouse | | | | can work it as you have time. I can easily make |
| 24/7 to protect the community from fire and | | | | an additional 300-500 dollars a month buying and |
| other emergencies. Most schedules allow for 48 | | | | reselling on eBay. |
| hours or more off after working a 24 hour shift. I | | | | |
