SAHM only...do you ever worry about your financial future, since staying home?

Question

makes you lose out on financial gain, career practice and things like that.

Answer 1

I have been a SAHM for 10 years. One thing that I've done, while it doesn't earn me any money right now, is to keep my skills fresh. I have done volunteer work with children's organizations and maintain my web skills by keeping up websites for groups that appeal to me. I've been a treasurer and secretary for a mom's group, a service unit manager for Girl Scouts, a leader for my daughter's troop and help with big fundraisers at her school. My DH and I nearly got divorced a few years back and it was a rude awakening as to what financial state I was in. I was able to get a good paying job within a couple of weeks though and would have been able to support us. The employers were very open to my being a SAHM and were impressed with the work I had done to keep my skills up to date. I still read trade mags and try to learn new technologies. I will have both children in school full time in the fall and will be taking some classes at the local community college to get myself ready for whatever it is that I decide to be when I grow up. ;) I wouldn't trade a day of my being a SAHM for days at my old job just to keep up with the pay. You can keep yourself marketable but it takes some work.

Answer 2

I love being able to stay home with my kids. It the best decision I ever made. Yes I worry about my financial future, but I worry more about how my kids are raised. Me and my husband do our best to make sure we have enough money saved for emergencies, etc. - it is hard though. I do work at home so we have a little extra income. To me, my family is first and everything else is second (including bills). And eventually when both my kids are in school full time I plan on going back to work. So I think to give up a few years of income to be able to raise your children is worth all the sacrificies that we have made.
Good question.

Answer 3

YES! I gave up a great job five years ago to be home with my daughter. Now I have a two year old son too. I am in the middle of a divorce and at a loss. It is WORTH every stressor though as I got precious time with my kids I would have lost otherwise. I will get marital support and child support and have some time to get my thoughts and life together but it is scary. My recommendation is anyone that is a SAHM put some money aside in your own account, make sure you have a 401K or retirement account. You can always take online classes at night to brush up on skills too. My biggest issue right now is starting over at 41 and have to find insurance for myself and have two small kids to support.

Answer 4

At one point, the probability of losing out on financial gain and career growth did disturbed me but after a peaceful retreat in deep prayer and counting my blessings, I realized that I have more in my life today.

Just like other stay-at-home moms who used to earn a good income before, staying at home is a totally big challenge. In my case, I am now taking care of my own kids and somehow, being out of the rat race for sometime threatens my chances of going back to my chosen old career. Time passes by so quickly and so do are the trends in technology and information. It may seem that being a stay-at-home mom is an 'unproductive' resource of our economoy but it's totally the opposite. All this time, I realized that being a stay-at-home mom is an important resource of our economy. Not only do I take care or look after my own kids, but I am raising kids who would turn out to be responsible and caring citizens of this nation. My time and efforts invested in my own family, will pay off well in the future with many immaterial dividends.

I may sacrifice my career but I do know for a fact that my talents and skills are now put into good use in many different situations. So, I can say that I did worried about my financial future once, but knowing that my God is rich and powerful, He will surely make me 'rich' and joyful with my wonderful children, who will grow up to love and serve Him, and be productive citizens of this society.

Answer 5

you may lose out on financial gain and career practice but you gain so much from being a stay at home mom. you save money on doctor bills, because going to daycare kids get sick a LOT. also you get to raise your child rather than having someone else do it. you give your child a head start in life and you get to see it all. it is so rewarding. yes, sometimes i think about the money i could be bringing in, but in weighing the choices, i think being a SAHM is the best choice for me.

Answer 6

Because my husband and I had our children young, I never had the chance to work full time (only part time) and have always stayed at home.. (mind you my son is only 13 months old.) We have always budgeted on only one income and we get by fine, but I would love to get back into work, but unfortunately in the area that I live in there isn't any work at all. We dont really worry too much about our financial future. I would love to have a career and earn more money, so that we could do more things, but its a sacrifice I would never change. Your kids are only little once, and I would hate to miss out on it.

Answer 7

confident. at times i'm having a terrible day and that i'll in basic terms circulate homestead if i'm in college. there have been some circumstances interior the fall the place i could circulate to my morning lectures yet i replaced into feeling extremely crappy and could bypass the night ones and my buddy could e mail me the notes.

Answer 8

Yes I am always worrying about things. Espcially when my husband is out of work.