How can some couples afford for one parent to stay at home?

Question

They must be doing better than we are.I am a welder and my wife is a nurse. I guess we do okay but there's no way one of us could stay home and still be able to be caught up.We both have to work so we can pay for this $69 dollar a gallon gas.(a figure of speach, you see the funny reference here).LOL

Okat sabastian, is it? You're reported that answer you gave doesn't pertain to my question.

Answer 1

The same way single moms with dead beat ex's do it. I have 2 kids that I have been on my own with for 7 years. We don't live as well as other people but, we make it. There is always food, shelter, and clothes. Not much beyond that though.

Answer 2

we barely made ends meet, and as far as catching up on our debt, we atleast didn't make it worse. Having only 1 car payment, and not paying babysitting were the major reasons why I stayed home. At times my husband worked 2 jobs. Eventually he furthered his career and he's now making more than what we both would've made together years ago. I do agree with you, it isn't likely that someone can stop their career and raise children by themselves. The cost of living is so greater, than what people are making. I think it would be a good idea for the government to give Stay at home parents a deduction in taxes too. Just my opinion though.

Answer 3

Before we went down to 1 income, we cut way back on movies, going out to dinner, etc. and lived as if we didn't have the money to spare. Saved up 3 months worth of expenses in the bank to fall back on in case it didn't work out as planned. Always have a backup plan.

There are a lot of websites and books in the library where we get ideas for free/cheap stuff or ways of doing things.

You must decide what you can and can't live without. Yes, currently we cannot go out to dinner with friends, my kids don't have the latest electronic gadgets, we cannot go out and splurge on every new thing that is shown on TV however, our home life is awesome. Every sacrifice is completely worth it.

We feel it is very important to the family unit for 1 person to stay with the children at least while they are young. If you really want this, you can do it. You must sit down as a couple and look at your finances honestly. I guarantee there will be things you can get rid of or do without. Society tells us we cannot do without all of these comfort items. What is more comforting than to know that your children are in the care of someone who loves them?

By the way, I work at a finance company and the wife used to work in retail so we are by no means rich either.

Answer 4

Hi, yeh I agree but you just have to decide what is more important. Family or a big house and money.

I think a wife staying at home is like the foundation of the whole family. I plan on cutting expenses down to zero, and maybe even move to a smaller home.

BUT i found money.. like I have a 400 a month car payment, so i am selling it and getting a cheap car. OR I have credit card debt. SO getting rid of that too. And we have a $2500 dollar house payment, so I am probably going to down size.

Its a matter of just doing it and not thinking.

Answer 5

It's about sacrifice. I stayed home when we had our first child, but we lived in a crappy apartment, couldn't afford to go out often, shared one car, etc. It's certainly possible. It's a matter of what's more important. However, we were also able to solely focus on my husband's career. It meant moving a few times, but it's paid off. Twelve years later, he's successful at work, and I know I've devoted my time and energy solely to my children.

Something else to think about, daycare is EXPENSIVE. You add that with money for work clothes, money for lunches at work, money for take-out when you're both too tired from work to cook, and money for transportation to and from work / daycare, and you don't bring in much from most second incomes.

Answer 6

because they make a whole lot of money

Answer 7

CUZ MAYBE THEY KNOW I REALLY REALLY WANT A BLACK CADET HAT

Answer 8

BUDGETING BUDGETING BUDGETING