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Affording to SAH

la79alla79al member
in Stay at Home Moms
While I was pregnant, DH put money into a special savings account so I could stay home with the baby until the baby was not a helpless little lump.  I need about $800 a month to pay my bills.  I have about 6 months of money left and I am already terrified about returning to work.  So I need ideas on how to make at least a little money while I am still SAH.  I am already doing ChaCha but only made about $200 last month.  I need other ideas.  Thanks.
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Re: Affording to SAH

  • brightningbrightning member
    I think you need to look at cutting back expenses as much as making money. I lived for YEARS without cable, a cell phone or using my AC because I just couldn't afford it. Maybe you can look at places where you'd be willing to make a sacrifice. I have know some people have meat-free meals several days a week in order to save money. Every dollar saved is a dollar you don't have to make! Good luck.
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  • hayleydeeehayleydeee member

    I agree that cutting back can be a big help. Living without cable gets easier and easier as time goes on.

    Also we were able to "find" more money when my husband reduced the amount that was going directly into his 401K and stock?purchasing?plan.?

    ?

    Married 07.07.07. Mom to 3: Ruby 11/08 and Oliver & Austin 12/11
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  • mrs.baummrs.baum
    Budget, budget, budget! By most people's standards, we shouldn't be able to afford for me to SAH, but we make it work b/c it is very important to us.
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  • citygirl_citygirl_

    Can you husband look for a new job?  That's what clinched the deal for us.  We used to make the same amount of money, but he got a new job that pays a bit more and pays our health benenfits 100% which is what allowed me to SAH.  Money is TIGHT, I'm not going to lie, but well worth it, IMO. 

    Also, cut back!  Get rid of one car if you have two.  Talk to your insurance company and try to get your rates lowered (pleasure use vs everday use).  Pay off any debt you can. 

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  • littlemermaidlittlemermaid member

    Does your husband have weekends off?  If so, then maybe you can find a weekend job while he takes care of the baby.

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  • photo_nutphoto_nut

    I also cut back and did things that were different in order to save

    I buy all DD clothes at consignment stores, I cloth diaper, we do not buy prepackaged food or eat out, we make everything at home, even bread. I breastfed, I made all of DDs baby food. Every little thing adds up.

    My husband ended up getting a better paying job, which helped, but we really cut a lot of expenses down or removed them all together.

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  • annak23annak23

    I would love to be able to make 200/month!

    According to most people's standards, we also, should not be able to afford me staying at home.  We have paid off alot of debt while I was still working & even bought some furniture & paid off right away.  You really have to reassess your needs vs your wants & come to an agreement on what you can & can't afford to live without.  I also shop sales & go to thrift stores for clothes/toys.  Ask for gift cards to go out to eat or the movies or to your fav store.  That way it makes it even more special & you appreciate it more when you use them.  I bought alot of food this summer at farmer's markets & froze/canned alot to use t/o the winter.  Buy meats on sale & freeze it.  We invested in an upright freezer & a large capacity washer/dryer to decrease amount of loads we do a week.  We limit our driving & walk to the local grocery store for small trips. 

     

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  • XjunefifthXXjunefifthX

    i would look to slash expenses and get a part-time job when your DH is home.

     

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  • kiliwicketkiliwicket
    I also agree with the cutting back.  That has helped more than anything. 
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  • lvisserlvisser member

    imagemrs.baum:
    Budget, budget, budget! By most people's standards, we shouldn't be able to afford for me to SAH, but we make it work b/c it is very important to us.

     

    Totally agree!  If I told you how much we make you would be shocked that we own two cars and a house.  I only have to work 10 hours a week (for spending money.).  Good luck!

    Rylee - 3.28.08
    Malakai - 8.3.09
    Ezra - 12.1.11 ASD
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  • Bride_BestBride_Best
    I work from home, but it's 100% commission and I don't work near 20 hours per week.  So, I think that my income is more of a SAHM income.  I've learned to use coupons all the time.  We saved $8 today at Target by using coupons.  Last week I saved $17 at Target and saved $8 at the grocery store.  I really read the grocery store ads during the week and plan our meals around what kind of meats are on sale.  When meat and other items are on sale, I stock up.  At Target today, I bought a thing of Huggies wipes that were $2.39 and I had a $3 off coupon.  I didn't think that they would give me the whole $3 off since the wipes weren't that price; however, they did so they paid me to take the wipes home!  Check to see if your grocery store doubles coupons etc.  It's neat to watch and see what you save.  Oh ya, we do go out to eat about once a week, but it's because we've got a buy 1 get 1 free coupon.
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