A married couple who both make $33K a year. They have about $25K in debt on student loans and a car (no credit cards), which they are slowly paying down.
They are now pregnant and the wife plans on staying home once the baby is born. This was a mutual decision be the wife and the husband. This will mean that they will now be living on half of their income. This also means they will be short on their bills (monthly) buy about $580.
The husband is going to get a second job while the wife is pregnant to start saving money. Once the baby is born they will pull $580/month from that savings. If the husband's promotion doesn't come through by the time the savings is almost out he will get a second job again.
What is your opinion on this situation?
2007-11-13 09:51:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lol... I put it in this section to hear the point of view of religious people from different religions or atheists. It's curious to me how different people respond to this situation.
2007-11-13 10:00:56 · update #1
Bluto: Actually the husband is very insistent upon the fact they the wife should be taking care of the child and no other. He is quite aware of the task he is taking on and is happy to take on the responsibility.
2007-11-13 10:04:32 · update #2
Giggly: Great advice. Except they don't pay for cable or internet due to the company he works for, they won't have cells once she leaves her job and they will be switching to a cheaper electric co. at the end of this year and already conserve energy. Trust me, they have cut out all extra spending they can. Great advice, though!
2007-11-13 10:07:14 · update #3
Giggly: The wife didn't want to go to college. It was a family thing. All she owes is $3000.
2007-11-13 10:09:00 · update #4
I think he is a good husband...get a second job is the least he can do and of course u should stay at home...just one more thing...the baby will imply more expenses as well...do u know how much? I mean have u budgeted that?
Dont ask for more loans...hope ur family helps
2007-11-13 10:00:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like they need a budget over-haul.
Starters ... they're not financially in a great position to "Agree" at the stay-at home case. Since the wife has "Student loans" (from before the marriage) the ideal situation would have been to exclude this with a "pre-nuptual" ... but I'm gussing that step was missed. Next question is ... why is she paying for something she doesn't plan to use ... I know u can't get out of student loans ... but she should have had a passion 4 what she was buying. If her parents were the ppl "pushing 4 an education" they may be able to help. IMO education is way over-rated ... especially if u don't have a life plan. Last point ... she should work as long as her health allows until the pregnancy.
Second, cuttiing luxories like mobil phones, cable/dish tv, internet, and learning how to manage electricity alone should save between $300-$400 per month. Basically, anything that's not a necessidy and requires monthy payment should be cut.
Third, can other housing arrangement be made ... cheeper rent, or mortgage payment ... remember if u'r hell bent on having a stay at home parent ... well, cutting cost is key.
GOOD Sacrifice is giving up something with a short term result for a long term benefit. I do believe in the stay - at home but the FAMILY needs to make sacrifices. Since it sounds as if brainstorming is still going on ... well, together the family needs to evaluate the sacrifices, make a commitment, and alternative plans. Best wishes to this new journey in ur life .... U can do it.
2007-11-13 10:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she is a goldigging b itch.
they can't afford for her to stay home, yet she would rather stay home and watch re-runs of all my children and gilligan's island than get out there in the real world and work for a living.
yes, there is some merit to raising a child in its very young years however, they don't have that LUXURY! better that they get a family member to look after the baby and the baby be exposed to BOTH rather than exclusively one parent and the husband works two jobs.
especially since if he works two jobs then the marriage will eventually fail as they will not spend time together and one (likely the wife in this case as she has too much time on her hands) will end up having an affair.
either both work, or they shouldn't have the baby or shouldn't keep the baby.
this baby and the way they are handling it will put a HUGE amount of stress on thier marriage. sounds to me like the decision they came to is irresponsible and they are probably too young to care for a child anyway.
2007-11-13 10:00:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money problems causes alot of divorces. Make sure you keep the lines of communication open. Maybe you could babysit for another newborn while you are home to generate some income. Or, possibley sell on Ebay.Good Luck!
2007-11-13 10:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by Harley Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sound like good people, and I think many people today could learn a lesson from them. I'm just not sure how realistic it is for the wife to stay home. They may want to consider other options related to that.
2007-11-13 09:58:25 · answer #5 · answered by Thom 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell them good luck for me and that I hope they do well. It looks like the same boat my parents were in when they first got married, only my mom kept her job. We're now quiet wealthy and have a great Christmas, it shows you what can happen after you go to college, like they apparently did.
2007-11-13 10:10:40 · answer #6 · answered by Buffy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first opinion is "what does this have to do with religion and spirtuality". My second is that it doesn't matter if they pay off the debt slowly because as long as inflation continues, it will be less and less difficult to pay off the money. (Macroeconomic concept based on the fact that money is worth less and less as inflation continues.)
2007-11-13 09:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by Tony C 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that he should find a job that pays a heck of a lot more... why is a college grad only making $600 a week?
2007-11-13 09:57:45 · answer #8 · answered by jerry kaye 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Heck if you can make it work and you both agree to it, it sounds fine.
2007-11-13 09:56:31 · answer #9 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who cares? Its only money to be manipulated?
2007-11-13 09:58:38 · answer #10 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋