SAHMs

I was wondering if the SAHMs can start listing tips and advice of what you do to financially manage living on one income.

Anna, after reading about your triple coupons, I definitely have to look into that

I might not be too popular on the Newlywed board with my response, but I sacrifice and I 'make do' with what we have when it comes to a lot of things. I don't get my nails done (my son doesn't care how my nails look anyway! ).
I stretch as long as I can w/o getting my hair cut and colored. I cook every night, and make sure there's enough to have a second meal w/leftovers. When we do eat out, we use coupons or discounts from The Entertainment Book. I shop for clothes on clearance racks, or wait for sales.
I clip coupons for groceries and we comparison shop for baby items like formula and diapers.

My hubby works at home, so we only have one car. Because hubby is at home, he's having lunch at home instead of buying lunch.

Basically, I get creative with making what we have go further. When we need babysitters, we ask family to watch the baby so we don't have to pay someone else. None of these things may seem like a big deal, but they add up over time.

Claud, you sound alot like me in the past year while we save for our wedding, I did alot of the same things as you.
Can I tell you I admire you for that? Sometimes you have to sacrifice alot but in the end it is soooo worth it!!
I'd do it everyday if I had to, to be able to stay home with my child.

You are a great mommy & wife

you could try selling stuff on ebay?

or have you looked into maybe starting a small home business? thats my plan - to have one running before i get pregnant hehe

I basically do all of what Claud does...
Ive done most of that even when I was working, back to ten years ago...(brought breakfast AND lunch to work, shopped sales, etc etc) Thats what helped me VERY MUCH in paying for our wedding, house, car, etc...
I never understood the mentality of 'wow i have to start saving' once the engagement ring is on the finger. Ive been a saver since I got my first job at 14 so when I 'needed it most' it was right there waiting all these years...


did i ramble again ??

I am probably the worst SAHM EVER. Im a shop-a-holic. Ive been trying to cut back since I dont have income and are relying on FH. I have stopped shopping all the time. I do get carried away at times and go food shopping for one meal and spend like $50 but I've been trying to get better. I need help
All in all. I have no advice for ANYONE on saving $$

Claud- I don't think you would get flamed for your answer on the newlywed board at all.

Did most of you decide before the baby that you were going to stay at home full-time or did you make the decision after the baby was born? I know some people have jobs that are just not flexible and having a baby and keeping the job are not really possible;ie: if you travel 2 weeks a month for work.
I think if you can afford to stay at home and want to stay at home that it is great. I think the choices that one makes isn't really a sacrifice though. I just think of them as making choices that allow you to get what you want, maybe that is being a SAHM or maybe it is having the wedding you really want or maybe it is driving a brand-new BMW. I had to save for our wedding but I never thought of it as a sacrifice. I just decided that the invites I wanted were more important than the day spas or eating out a lot. Does that make sense?
I know from some close friends that being a SAHM is not for everyone. One of my close friends is a SAHM but really misses the interaction with co-workers a lot. What do you gals miss about working? I am curious because I know that this is a choice that many of us have to make at some point.

This is why I have the best of both worlds I will bring my baby to work with me at my Day Care Center. I must say I am in awe of all you SAHM! What a wonderful choice you have made

Michele - I didn't really say that I'd get flamed on the newlywed board for my answer - just that I didn't think I'd be too popular (after that post about being a 'Make Do Woman'...everyone seems so anti-sacrifice and anti - putting hubby or other things before personal grooming choices like getting hair/nails done...etc.)

I definitely understand your point about it not really being a 'sacrifice' per se, if you choose to be a SAHM. It just seems like a sacrifice to me, b/c I am definitely not used to doing w/o my mani/pedi, or buying a new item of clothing or new shoes whenever I want. Having made a boat load of money at my last job, I had gotten pretty comfortable not doing w/o anything that I wanted - even when we were saving for the wedding. So, now that the baby's here and we have a house, my world is different w/o my six figures coming in. To me, being a SAHM is a choice I am making to be with my child, but I am still sacrificing...although it is more worth it than the wedding, or being miserable in a dead end job that's for sure!

Claud. I think that making the sacrifice comes with time and the right time will come for everyone to make some sort of sacrifice when they do have children.
My sister and I are now both SAHM's, and we both gave up very nice salaries also,nice annual bonuses, etc.
Youre right - it's definately a sacrifice, but it's well worth it.
I can look back and say that money is not everything. (oh no, this will start a big discussion ) Even with the big bonuses and perks we got from these big companies, working a 'corporate 9-5' job just doesnt go with having a family for me. I loved it while I did it, accomplished alot and got great experience, but I dont see myself being as involved in a 9-5 career anymore.
I have always wanted to teach, and I think my calling is here. I am pursuing that and hope to do that in a few years...and the teachers out here do pretty darn well for themselves too !

Michelle- to answer your question. The things I miss: the daily interaction with peers, the sense of accomplishment from working on a major project and seeing it through to its final stages, etc.
But I really feel comfortable being home now, and I think life just has different phases for all of us.
My next phase of life will be MOTHERHOOD, and then hand in hand, teaching, which is the lifestyle that I think will be perfect for me!

guess thats why people say I'm a saver...
Always clipped coupons/sent in rebates, shop on sales only....even for special occasion dresses,

Clearance and sales racks call my name!!!
BUT also, do not buy things if I really don't need them!

CLip restaurnat coupons out of local yellow pages...need to get an entertainment book- seems like it is a good idea..

Belong to every supermkt /pet store 'club' that we frequent in order to get % off or mailers on sale

comparision shop- especially ON LINE...for every item...whether it is to see what peoples opinions are about products...or to see who has the best price. ROB IS SUPURB AT THIS

so, I guess it is just a habit with me....but even so, we cannot trully afford for me to be a SAHM...but I may look into REDUCING my hours at work...

I do miss being in an office setting. I miss adult conversation. BUT I would not give up being a SAHM for anything. I couldnt imagine working to pay someone to watch my daughter. No one could love her and want to take care of her like I do (except her daddy). I don't really think the extra $1000 a month could make up for the bonding and joy I get to have every day. Yes I miss having my own money and freedom (like FH does) but I gave all that up when I got pregnant. JMO