Two Incomes To One - Making The Change
Well, Momma put in her two week notice at work the other day. We have both worked since we met almost 10 years ago. With the birth of our son Ace, Momma has decided to convert to a Stay-At-Home-Mom.
It makes sense. She wants to be there during the day for Ace instead of taking him to daycare. Plus daycare costs us an arm and a leg. It costs us $220 for four days per week. That is $880 dollars per month.
While Momma makes quite a bit more than this every month it is kind of silly for her to go to work for, essentially, $880 less per month.
This is going to call for some major spending habit changes. No more eating out. More cooking at home. Less going to the movies. And I’m going to have to consolidate some debt to get our payments down to an affordable level.
Momma is thinking about taking on a part time job in the evening a couple days a week, after I get home from work. The money she earns will probably be our “fun money”.
It is going to be tight. Going from two incomes to one is a drastic change. I’ve figured it up and it will be possible as long as we stick to our budget…which in the past we have not been good at doing.
I’m hoping that since we are doing this for Ace, that we will stick to our budget and everything will work out OK.
It’s funny how having a baby changes your outlook on life. It’s not about making money and having nice things anymore. It’s about being a happy family and raising a happy little boy.
Has anyone else out there went from two incomes to one to be a stay-at-home-parent? If so do you have any tips for me and other readers that are considering making the change?
Been there, done that. From a career woman to a full-time mom. In the beginning, it is difficult ‘coz of the adjustment phase. But hang in there. After a while, I’m sure Momma wouldn’t even want to go back to work. That was my experience. Now, my son is 2, and I’m still torn between going back to work and taking care of him ‘coz I do need to struggle with my emotions should I have to dump him in childcare. So, for the moment a full-time mom I remain.