I should say that my portion of the household income is about 75% and that I am the onlyone with actual benefits...so this is hard transition for us.
I can't help you, but Suzi could, she most likely will answer this post. i am 58 years old, stay at home wife and i do not work from home. We live frugally, that is my contribution...live beneath our means, for sure,.
Some things I do to allow me to be a sahm is cloth diaper the babies, I also breastfed, still am bfing the 5 no the old. I make our household cleaners, air freshener, laundry soap, etc. I have no problem accepting hand me downs from friends for my kids. I shop end of season clearance for things they need. I run all of my errands in one trip, the same day I grocery shop. I make a meal plan each week for all 3 meals so we eat out a lot less than we used to. I coupon for toilet paper, paper towels, etc. I hope something I've said helps you make the transition. Raising my own kids without sending them to daycare means more than any amount of money I could earn. As long as our bills are paid, I will continue to stay at home with them. When they're all in school I will consider working part time to relieve pressure off dh
Unless you don't need 75% or your income or benefits then I am not sure you could stop working now. Normally it is easier for the person who makes less to stay home.... would you and your DH consider him staying home.
I work from home. IMO your first step would be to ask your current job if you could work full or part-time from home.
If you don't want to do either of those things, then your DH would have to get a higher paying job with benefits.
The best thing to reduce your expenses and save up so you can live off less money.
I am ok with hand me downs, currently breastfeedin, looking for cloth diapers that works for my LO sensitive skin (used gerber and sunbaby and he still gets a heat rash), looking for a new apartment to rent for same or just a bit more that allows us to air dry ... among other things. I am also practicing sewing in order to ease pressure on our budget and maybe even do a few things that I can sell.
Everything else you said I do. Except for couponing because PR has very little options it is almost not worth it (or maybe I haven't figure it out).
Oh! And my mom will take care of my LO when I go back to work so no daycare expense; but I still want to be able to be there for my baby. When he goes to school I'll go back to work part time if necessary.
Thanks for answering!
Quoting Amy127:
Check out Dave Ramsey for eliminating debt. Cut unnecessary expenses. Is your dh going to look for something better with benefits since you're bringing in 75% of the income? I think your dh or SO getting a better job is the first step. Unless his income is enough to live off, I guess I wasn't considering that when u said he only makes 25% of the household income.
Some things I do to allow me to be a sahm is cloth diaper the babies, I also breastfed, still am bfing the 5 no the old. I make our household cleaners, air freshener, laundry soap, etc. I have no problem accepting hand me downs from friends for my kids. I shop end of season clearance for things they need. I run all of my errands in one trip, the same day I grocery shop. I make a meal plan each week for all 3 meals so we eat out a lot less than we used to. I coupon for toilet paper, paper towels, etc. I hope something I've said helps you make the transition. Raising my own kids without sending them to daycare means more than any amount of money I could earn. As long as our bills are paid, I will continue to stay at home with them. When they're all in school I will consider working part time to relieve pressure off dh
Quoting FindersKeepers:Unless you don't need 75% or your income or benefits then I am not sure you could stop working now. Normally it is easier for the person who makes less to stay home.... would you and your DH consider him staying home.
I work from home. IMO your first step would be to ask your current job if you could work full or part-time from home.
If you don't want to do either of those things, then your DH would have to get a higher paying job with benefits.
The best thing to reduce your expenses and save up so you can live off less money.
Ok I recommed like the other moms Dave Ramseys book TOtal Money Makeover...... also for many reasons I do not help people do an actual budget of whom I do not know but in Cafemom there is a group called DAve Ramsey Fans. There are people from time to time who WILL help you make an actual budget. I am happy your wanting to do one that is step in the right direction.
I recommend that book to you it changed our life & we are almost debt free, we are investing again too and have savings!!!!!!!!!
I wish you the best!!!!!!! Let us know how it goes!
Monthly expenses
- XVAmomma
on Aug. 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM