I don't know if this is an option but until the contracts are coming in on a regular schedule with your husband's company could you go back to work for your old boss with the contingency that if things pick up with your husband's company you'll go back to that? It is a consolation to have that security of a good pay check and benefits for the both of you and when it comes time to buy that house it will be very nice to know that you will have a set amount of money each month come hell or high water. There needs to be some assurance that you or your husband will be able to bring enough bacon home to feed/cloth/shelter you and pay the bills plus a little for savings.

Plus, your husband should be able to see the reality of this situation and support your decision whatever it ends up being.

Would it hurt your husband's company (and by extension, your chance of buying a home) if you stopped working with him so abruptly? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should "sacrifice" your career for your husband, but it sounds like you enjoy working with him and like the lean months aren't too frequent?

Working for a start-up isn't necessarily "secure" - your old boss's company might go bust in three months. And even if he gives you the 5k raise, you'll effectively be earning the same, and you'll lose the freedom of setting your own hours. It just doesn't sound like such a great opportunity to me.

I don't know what kind of schedule you're on in terms of buying a home and starting a family, but if I were you I'd stay with your husband's business for 2-3 more years and exhaust every opportunity to make more profits. After that, if it hasn't worked out, you can still go 9-5.

well - i think that you would have to 'negotiate' a bit more with your old boss before you can make your decision. i think that it's fair to ask for an increase in the salary that you're being offered for a few reasons

1) each year you would have experienced a % increase in your salary as a result of rising costs in the US (i.e. cost of living increase, commuting, food etc). if you were still at a company that wasn't your own, you would have made more money by this time and it's fair to ask for that much at least

2) although you would LOVE To work for your boss - you need to understand what the responsibilities are and understand the dynamic at the company. even for the money - if it's a role that you like but there are downfalls to it and you should be upfront about it

i'm sure that if you take the position and it's not a 'freelance' position, then you won't be able to just get out of it with no hard feelings if things pick up for your husband's company. that's something that you'll just have to know upfront. you can't just say 'sorry things are busy at home so i'm going to leave again - here's my 2 weeks'. i think that if you're able to get the money that you want, and you like the job - then it's something to consider but it's only fair for your old boss to expect that you'll come back to negotiate with the offer.

will you get health insurance and a retirement plan at this new company? that's something to think about if you don't have that at home. insurance is a big thing and if you can put your hubby on your plan - then that's even better. also - knowing how things are going with the economy - if the new job will set up a 401(k) and match your contribution, that's something that's also good to think about.

i know that i'm not much help, but i'm around if you want to bounce questions off me. working for yourself is great but if you have a family and you need some more security aside from what your own company - then it's something to consider.

By the way you wrote this, it sounds that the only reason you would be taking this new job would be for a steady paycheck and nothing else (and you would be making the same salary anyway...). Stay where your happy, which seems to be at home with your hubby.

You didn't comment on what your husband's position was on this. Not to say, it should be the deciding factor but it is part of the decision. You should go back and negotiate on the job with your old boss, get the money and benefits you need. Unless you are not happy or making ends meet in the current position, what is the upside of the new position with the same money/benefits? How your old boss handles the negotiation for more money, etc may give you a better picture of the job and the company. It doesn't sound like either option is a bad one for you. Ask all the questions, talk it over with your husband and go with your gut. Good Luck!

If you take it, only accept at least a 10k increase. You shouldn't move jobs unless you have a sizable increase. 5k is too low.

If they can't offer any more, then it's not the job for you!

Tell your boss thanks but no thanks... and ask them to keep you in mind if they have any new openings that require your skills.

talk to your husband, and go with your gut

Kudos for keeping in contact with your boss. I would talk to my husband if I was you and get his take. I definitely agree with marcella and ilanac13 on this one, you need a significant increase and need to know what you will be doing. If you do take this job, does you husband have any other help besides you with the business (if not can he do it alone or would you be able to help at a very low part time availability).

go for the job with the old boss and ask for the $5K more (don't take the job without it). you could always go back to working with your husband if it doesn't work out.

Ahh.. it's the freedom of working for family trap. It's really difficult to go from being able to take vacation whenever you want and take a day off whenever you can to a steady 9-5, but if a steady paycheck is what you need, then I'd say go for the guaranteed gig. Since we don't know what the offer amount is, I can't say if 5k is a reasonable request, but your old boss might see the promise of a guaranteed paycheck as enough incentive to not give you more pay. Ultimately you have to decide what is most important to you, a steady paycheck with a job you enjoyed in the past or the freedom to come and go as you please. If the freedom is more alluring, then I'd say start looking for a smaller house and just don't overmortgage and you'll be fine.

I would continue working with my husband.

I agree with chocolatine. Also, have you talked to your hubby about this, what does he think? Would have to hire someone to replace you?

Would you be able to work from home with the new job? Or have a four day work week? That might help you adjust to the 9-5 office routine.

I agree with the other posters, how will this affect your husband's company?

I agree with the fact that you should
a) negotiate a higher salary in light of rising costs, your experience, and what you need
and b) discuss this opportunity with your husband in relation to your mutual goals and needs.

If you can't get a better deal than what you have now, why leave when you are obviously happy? Perhaps you can provide some work to them on a freelance basis that allows you to pick up work when things at your home business are lighter?

Negotiate the price up to a level you would feel happy with. If he agrees to a higher salary, then go for it. If not, say no.

I would say to stand back and look at hypotheticals for both jobs 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years out. Taking into consideration where you want your life to be (house, kids, travel, more kids, etc).

Continuing to work with your husband, what can you proactively do to bring in more contracts. When will you be making more money with your husband versus the other offer (is it going to take 1 year or 3 years)? Will your work / life ratio do better or worse with having to put in more effort to bringing in more business?

For the job being offered, what is the stability outlook with this new company? What about salary increases down the line? Work / life ratio? Will your husband's business collapse if you did take the new job?

In both situations I would not focus on what the offer is today, or where you and your husband are currently at. Figure out where you want and have to be in the future.

You'll get the SAME salary you're getting now, you enjoyed working for your old boss but you also enjoy working with your husband. I say, stay with your husband. It's your OWN company and you said it yourself, you love working with him. That's fantastic. With your good working compatibility, who knows how business will turn out in the following months/years?

I'm pretty optimistic here.

I would go with what makes me happier. Unless the lean months were something I should be really worry about then the steady paycheck would help getting on your feet until your husband's company really get going. On the other hand, would it also be, if you work together, you will get to this point faster?

You should always be able to negotiate your wage. Talk it up to 7000 more and explain that for you to leave your current positon you need 7000 more that way you give him/her room to bargin down.

If they say no..don't even think about doing. Steady paycheque is important when you are buying a house. As long as you are not scaraficing your happiness and yuor happy working for your old boss I say do it!

Take it from someone who just got laid off yesterday: jobs you enjoy that have great bosses are too good to be true and don't last. So if you're lucky enough to have a job like that come back, then go ahead and take it! Save money on the travel and food by using public transportation and brown bagging it for lunch. If it doesn't work out, your husband will always take you back.