Are there any SAHM's out there who are working with a budget of about 30-40K/yr?

Question

I am thinking about being a SAHM once I my husband and I have kids. He makes around $40K a year. I want to hear from SAHM's whose husbands have about the same or less of a salary and are living on that budget-

How hard was it to quit your job and then live on an income about this size?
What did you give up to make ends meet?
Do you supplement your income at all thru part time/at home work?

I asked a similar question on a different part of Yahoo answers and didnt quite get what I wanted..
I understand that if I really want to stay home that I can make it work if I sacrifice enough, but I just want to hear about people's personal experiences in working with this size a budget.

Thanks!

Answer 1

My husband is in the military and we are making it on less than that. I stay at home and we home school. Not only are we making it but we are still able to have nice things. We are also debt free. I do work out of the home as a nutritional consultant but I only pull in $100/client and there are long stretches of time I have no clients. We haven't really given up much at all. We try to be smart about our spending but we didn't really sacrifice a whole lot. In fact, up until this last year I was still getting regular massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. I gave those up this year because we're expecting our third child and I wanted to put back some more money. My kids are involved in sports and other activities that all cost money. We have a good chunk of money in savings.

If we can do it there is no reason at all you can't do it. It is all about living within your means.

Answer 2

My husband was making around 30,000 a year when i first decided to stay at home about 10 years ago. It was hard. BUt some of the things i did and still do even though times are better for us now. CLip coupons, comp items when possible, and I started just being all around thrifty. I learned to sew, cause my daughter at that time was still young enough not to care where her clothes came from. I started making homemade gifts for people (birthdays , christmas ect...) and thru all that found that i enjoy arts and crafts and love sewing and im actually good at it. lolol I even homeschool now. The salon is a thing of the past and my nails are never done unless i do them myself...lolol. Buying clothes now is on a need to basis and never because i just feel like going shopping. IT def. can be done, but you have to keep in mind that you will miss that second income at times. And remind yourself why it is you wanted to do this in the first place. And trust me hubby will get raises things will get easier and also once you become thrifty its hard to go back not being thrifty anymore. But when your kid gets to come home and know your there for them its all worth it

Answer 3

Yup! I have been a SAHM for 4yrs. The first year was very rough, I've collected unemployment, worked partime but hated being away from my babies. So I got my Bachelor's degree online, and recently started substitute teaching which allows me to be home with my children as needed versus asking for "time off" from the boss. If you don't plan to be at home forever, start planning for the future now. Budgeting doesn't mean "No" to spending. It just means pay the bills first, save a little and spend a little. I give myself a small cash allowance to keep me on my toes. That way I don't over spend and still get a little something for me one payday and the kids another.

There are no "get rich quick" ways around a budget (trust me I've tried a couple). You have to sacrafice somethings monetarily but emotionally you are investing into your family-always remember that. And find something to better prepare yourself for when your children don't need you as much. Go back to school, exercise, volunteer, socialize, sell products. Keeping your sanity is also a priority. And don't give up hope, your doing the best thing for your family and their future, just don't forget about you mama!

Answer 4

My wife and I are going to be in the same boat, but we're not there yet. On the other hand, given my profession I'll be making double that in about ten years, so we're trying to stick out the hard times with an eye to it being easier soon.

Good luck!

Answer 5

you just have to budget, be thrifty, clip coupons, it is easy to do, and i am the guy part of the relationship, it will be the best thing you have ever done for your children

Answer 6

no

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