SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I am finding it very diffiult to do this, I am not a shopper and we do not live a lavish lifestyle at all. Every time I turn around it seems someone has their hand out for more money. I am in the process of trying to find a job on LI, but the salaries S U C K and going back to the city is not an option

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

It is hard but we are managing..it takes a while to get used too ( i think more for me then dh bc i was/am so used to making my own $ not havign that check come in is a little weird)...esp with christmas coming, that doesnt help but everything manages to fall into place still even with a little extra $ to spare somehow.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I just started watching another little boy throughout the week.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I wish I could do that but we have dogs

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

When we were DINK's, I saved every penny I made and that was a huge savings that helped us through. I know I would be a SAHM, and we made sure we can work on DH's salary alone.

It's been 3.5 years and I have also been putting some time in PT at my old company. The money is not going to pay the mortgage, but the money helps a little for the extras we want.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

Ive only been a SAHM for 6 mths - - its hard, but we are managing. We had to cut back a lot though.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

How are you all cutting back?

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

coupons save me LOTs of money, and I get a kick out of it too

I plan my grocery shopping. the main reason is because im so anal and I have to be productive and not just wander the stores aimlessly. thats what happens if my hubby comes, and thats why he does NOT come
so that helps with not just throwing anything into the cart.
(of course with 3 boys and a big baby of a hubby I MUST throw in a good portion of junk )

I really am very simple and low maintenance. Ive said it before but john sometimes has to throw money at me, imagine that. he always give me double or triple what I ask for when I go out.

Just think of what your expenses are and see if there are different ways to do it for less.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

to cut back since i drive a trucj and that is a gas guzzler i only go out when i need to, and do all the errands i can in that time..to get out of the house i take dd for lots of walks..use coupons at the supermarket, dont really shop, if i do buy something for myself its bc its on clearance for dirt cheap..dh takes lunch from home..just little things like that..i would love to hear what others do bc i know there could be more that i can do.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

DW is awesome with coupons. When she has a good day, she shows me the receipts, and tells me the original price, price after coupons, and the final after the discount card. It's often half or less than the original amount.

BJs has good prices for a lot of stuff, too.

I fix pretty much everything around the house, so we don't have to hire people to do things. Our "big night out" is going to McDonalds once in a while. (DS loves the play area )

Except for this year, when my bro got married in Oregon, most of our vacations were part of a business trip. My airfare was paid for, and the hotel, and most of the food was paid for, so it cut down a lot on the expense.

Cars are 5 and 7 years old, so no more car payments.

Lots of hand-me-down, super discount, and thrift shop clothes for DC. Until they have peer pressure at school, they don't care what they wear.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I could cut coupons til my fingers fall off, there is no way we would ever be able to survive on one income. I wonder everyday how SAHMs do it!!!! We cut corners with 2 incomes - luxury shopping is when i go out to buy cleaning supplies... We do everything we can - we would be screwed if one of us stopped working!!!!

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

we have tried to cut corners everywhere and we are still struggling. it's really hard. i hate it. BUT i will eat pb & j everyday if it means i can stay home with the babies!

i think not buying food/drinks out is a big thing. dh packs his lunch, we carry water bottles filled with brita water (not bottled), i keep snacks in diaper bag to avoid temptation when out on walks, etc.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

It's VERY hard.

ME and you have spoken about it before. Its just so hard.

I saved a LOT of money with coupon cutting. I too liek Anna became obsessed with it and I can literally get 25% of my food for Free every week with coupons. But it takes time.

I also hardly EVER pay for things like deodarent, shampoo, Toothpaste etc with coupons and trolling the web for the best deal.

I then stock up on those items .

We cut corners on what can be cut.

We like some HBO shows, but we cancel HBO when the shows are on hiatus etc...

We go to the lowest prices gas station....

We find the best price on EVERYTHING.

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I watch my nephew now its not alot of money but it helps

but even before I started watching him (i only started at the end of June) I have always cut coupons,I buy whats on sale ONLY I do alot of food shopping at Target because its so much cheaper than a food store
we dont have new cars,I dont get my nails done,I dont have new clothes or shoes etc
the kids have what they need and want but the grown ups must wait for a holiday or bday

I shop around for the best price on everything

its doable but you must make a few sacrifices

Re: SAHM - how do you manage on 1 income

I'm still trying to figure it out! It's been so hard trying to curb our spending when we've become so used to a certain lifestyle. I'm so not good at it, esp. with the holidays coming up.

My MIL's 5 digit medical/Rx expenses and her $20,000 funeral did not help our situation either.