How did you do it?
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How did you do it?
| Thu, 03-03-2005 - 2:32pm |
I am about to turn 23 and I want to start trying to have kids when I turn 25. I want to be a stay at home mom. I LOVE kids! I could not be away from my baby. But, heres the problem. How do I afford it? 2 car payments a house payment, and 1 credit card payment! And of course all the other monthly bills. My husband and I both have college degrees but he does make more than me. We both want me to stay at home. How did ya'll switch from 2 incomes to 1? Is everyone just rich? I dont get it! Please help! I know I need to start preparing financially for this now!

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I am a sahm to two children and one big thing I have to stress to you is start saving now. Even if you find out you don't have the income to be a sahm remember that when you decide to have a baby there will be some very big expenses. If you continue to work you will have to think about childcare. I'm sure you're Mom and Dad will be glad to help out but then you have to think about diapers, formula, clothing, food, etc. etc. etc. Believe you me, it isn't cheap. I have a friend that has her parents take care of her kids during the day while she works, and has to buy double of all the major items like car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs, toys etc. Of course her parents buy some items but hey they are watching the kid for free they can't afford to buy everything as well. Another thing you might consider is working a different shift if that is possible. One close friend has evening shifts so that her husband can watch the baby while she works. Either way, Sahm or Woh a baby is going to be a big expense. Be prepared. Save money any way you can now. I'm not sure if I read correctly but I think I saw where you were spending about $13 a day for the 2 of you to eat let me tell you I spend less then that on a family of 4. Make dinners on sunday and freeze them, it is a lot cheaper. I mean think about it .. $13 x 5 = $65.00 a week and that doesn't count the weekends, lunches or snacks. I spend about 75.00 a week for a family of 4 which includes toiletries and dog food. I know every part of the country is different but if you truly want to stay home, you have to find a way to cut back.
Good luck to you and yours.
No new clothes and shoes??
Karen
"A pocketknife is like a melody;sharp in some places,
I'll come shopping with you!
I've lived paycheck to paycheck and wondering where we were going to get the money to pay for something, and I agree with you. I *like* being able to go to the grocery store and buy fresh asparagus even if it's $10 a pound. I *like* being able to go to Costco and buying filet mignon for dinner if I want. I *like* being able to go to the Coach store and buying my niece an *awesome* college graduation gift. Mind you, DH and I live fairly simply. Our home is modest but inviting. Our clothes are modest. But we don't deny ourselves much of anything anymore. And we have college savings plans, and retirement plans, and a "rainy day" savings account. No more hand to mouth for us. BTDT, don't want to go back.
Oh, and since my kids are always with one of us before school and with one of us after school, I can honestly say our dual WOH arrangement is working well.
Are you saying that children who have a sahp are healthier than those with dual wohps OR that *your* children are healthier because *you* sahm?
Janet
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I think some of it just has to do with some people just plan get sick more than others. My DDs never attended pre-school or day care prior to kindergarten and she has always been very healthy. She rarely gets sick and when she does she gets over it extrememly quickly. Three or four years out of grades K-12 she never missed any school due to illness and aside from the year she got chicken pox never missed more that 2-3 days a year any other year. It's been the same in college. She got bronchitis her freshman year but has been very healthy since.
DD3 did attend some daycare prior to kindergarten and she is follwing in the same vein health wise. She has not missed a day of school for illness in over three years. Never more than 2-3 three in the years she did miss.
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