How has your budget changed?

djm31012 · January 2015

As my day of becoming a SAHM gets closer and closer I have been making a list of how our budget will change and I want to make sure I am not missing any obvious added expenses to staying home. I have some obvious ones but what am I missing:

Savings:
dry cleaning

commute

buying breakfast/lunch every day

childcare

Expenses:
higher heating/gas bill

higher electric bill

higher gas bill as I will be driving more vs leaving my car at the train every day

jlovesky · January 2015

In trying to look over similar stats in our household as I work to decide if I will stay home or not, I think these are about what I had on my list too. For me, I was not expecting a higher gas bill since I would be home with the kiddos but I know there will be days we want to get out and do things too. The only other thing I could think for expenses might be some of those activities you go out and do with your child at some point-memberships to pool, zoo, etc.

djm31012 · January 2015

jlovesky said:

In trying to look over similar stats in our household as I work to decide if I will stay home or not, I think these are about what I had on my list too. For me, I was not expecting a higher gas bill since I would be home with the kiddos but I know there will be days we want to get out and do things too. The only other thing I could think for expenses might be some of those activities you go out and do with your child at some point-memberships to pool, zoo, etc.

I feel like a lot of mine cancel each other other. Like I wont be paying for childcare, but may be paying for more classes/memberships like you said.

mylittlesunshine · January 2015

I started SAH when my girls were 9 months and 3. Our daycare lady provided lunch, snacks, cows milk at no additional fee. I found our grocery went up slightly when I stopped working as I was now buying groceries for the three of us for lunches, snacks etc through the day.

Keeptruckin · January 2015

Like pp said higher groceries, utilities, and classes/outings. Our dining out/take out went down since I have time to meal plan, etc.

juliad2010 · January 2015

Savings: clothes. I found I didn't require as many new clothes because I no longer needed a work wardrobe.

Meagain31 · January 2015

I spend more staying home than I ever did working.

hayleydeee · March 2015

Our water bill got a lot higher too. Also since you'll likely be in your house more and using it, it will get dirty faster. If it's within your budget you might want to think about housecleaning services. Or, it your budget is as tight as mine was at first... at the very least you'll be buying more cleaning supplies.

Also I agree with increased cost of activities. We spent A LOT less when I started staying home, but that was largely to very careful budgeting and cutting costs.

niknak1208 · March 2015

I'm struggling with this same decision. Due in June with number 3. Really want to stay home but I'm so nervous about it! I think daycare is the biggest savings for me. Currently, we spent roughly $900/month on daycare expenses. A third child will put us somewhere between $1350-$1650/month depending on what type of daycare I find for LO. I would still have some expense related to childcare because DD is 2 and would be in pre-school next year a couple days a week but our cost would be more like $260/month.

I do think my gas would go down. I do work close to home but I drive into town for daycare/school drop off's and then go back the same way I came and into town the other direction for work. I would only be doing school/daycare drops offs which isn't too far from our house.

Clothes would go down for sure. All I really wear at home at jeans and t-shirts and a few outfits for going out or events etc.

I do think our grocery bill would go up. DS is in kindergarten so the only thing they provide is afternoon snack. DD is in the toddler room at the school and they do milk and snack. I'm already packing lunches or buying hot lunches every day but I think we would go through more food being home.

Diapers will likely cancel out because DD isn't potty trained yet but she will be shortly after the baby is here.

My biggest concern with staying at work is my time. I am SO burnt out right now and was before I got pregnant and the thought of keeping this job AND adding a third child just terrifies me. I already feel like I don't have much time at home with my babies. DH works longer hours so most of the time I'm the one doing all drop off's and pick up's and sporting events and dinners etc. I'm seriously exhausted.

jenjenbrassard · May 2015

I've been trying to tweak our budget so I can stay home, but no matter what we cut or downsize there is never enough money to put into an emergency savings account or just or savings in general (which we will need to pull from when we decide to conceive baby #2 as our apartment isn't big enough to have 2 children and we will need to move). So unfortunately I will be going back to work 3 days a week and staying home the rest. Kind of feels discouraging.

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