How do you make it financially in a low rate area?

[AfterSchoolMom]

My area has seen a dramatic decrease in the past year in the rates offered and expected for child care.

Average here is now $100/week, for 50+ hours, with all meals and snacks included and sibling discounts. In the last couple of months, it's getting even lower every time I check - $95, $85, $75....

It is absolutely ridiculous. It's getting so that I'm not going to be able to pay my bills because I can't get new clients, because I don't want to give all the perks for a quarter of the money.

Is the rest of the country going through this? How are you coping?

[momma2girls]

My area has seen a dramatic decrease in the past year in the rates offered and expected for child care.

Average here is now $100/week, for 50+ hours, with all meals and snacks included and sibling discounts. In the last couple of months, it's getting even lower every time I check - $95, $85, $75....

It is absolutely ridiculous. It's getting so that I'm not going to be able to pay my bills because I can't get new clients, because I don't want to give all the perks for a quarter of the money.

Is the rest of the country going through this? How are you coping?

The same thing is happening here where I live. I see ads for $100.00/week all the time. I charge $140.00 and $130.00, I cannot go down any lower!! I don't know how they can make it on $100.00 for 50 hr. +

[laundrymom]

I dont look at ads,.... I charge my rate, I do my best every day, I make sure Im listed with my referral service and if I have an opening I put it in my newsletter. I believe in my heart that I do my best every day and because of that things will work out. I used to try to micro manage my life, business, everything really. It was a mess. I decided that I would relax, give my worries away and let God send whoever needed me to my door. I can do no more than my best, so thats what I do,.. every day. For the last 4 - 6 years Ive had a waiting list, and things seem to fall into place.