Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Which option would you choose given the following?

1. Work full-time, have twins in daycare....$1,366 left over per month after all expenses

2. SAHM, $805 left over per month after all expenses.

We don't owe on credit, and won't have a car payment (unless DH's car dies or something).

As you can see, I'm trying to figure if I should take the risk of staying home (which, if you know from any previous posts about this subject, is something I wrestle with all the time).

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Totally SAHM

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Personally, I'd keep working $805/month for expenses isn't a lot for a family of 4 these days

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

This is a tough decision. Part of me would say "stay home", but another part of me says "work".

You're talking a difference of $561 a month. Although you have no debts, I'm assuming you have monthly expenses (which are sure to go up), so you might very well need that extra money (and of course for any other expenses that might come up).

It is really hard to say. I wish I had the option, but I didn't. Both DH and I work full-time.

If you and your husband agree that you can stay home and the money aspect doesn't bother you as much, then I would say stay home and then go back to work when the kids are older.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Keep working! You maintain your earning potential. If you have a nice job, it may be difficult to find something when ready to retrun.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

I vote work but I have no desire to be a SAHM, it is not for me

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Message edited 12/14/2009 8:56:35 AM.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Posted by pinkandblue

I vote work but I have no desire to be a SAHM, it is not for me

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

If the money is after expenses-- that is not enough of a difference to continue working IMO.

And since you are obviously weighing the options-- I think that's enough to tip the scales to stay home.

Put the money in a high yield account and have it earn money!

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

keep working. with the economy the way it is and everyone losing their job, that extra money every month could come in handy. 500 bucks is a lot of money IMO and even if that just pays for the groceries every month it's totally worth it!!

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

I would definitely stay home with my little ones.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

hmmm It's a 400 dollar difference, if you were going to work would you be spending $ on gas, or the LIRR?? I personally was spending almost 400 a month filling up my gas guzzler so for me it would be stay home hands down!!!

ets:

I am home now and have a lot more time to cook , shop sales, cut coupons, and figure out ways to save money. Plus its so much less stress, less struggle, no draggging baby out in the cold at 730 AM. time with your LO is priceless, I worked FT till DS was 10 months old and I am so blessed to be with him every day now. not trying to sway you though

Message edited 12/14/2009 9:25:00 AM.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

I vote work full-time this way there is more extra money each month. I havent work since Jan 09 and cant wait to go back. Being a SAHM and not having extra money IS NOT for me. I need to work I miss my job and the people I worked with I went to school for to long and still I have to pay to upkeep my creditials every year so I need to get back to work. I give credit to all the SAHM that love it but its not for me....

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

I say keep working

Message edited 12/14/2009 9:23:06 AM.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Posted by leighdvm

Posted by pinkandblue

I vote work but I have no desire to be a SAHM, it is not for me

This isn't about you, Stephanie! I'm kiddin ya!!

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

805 after expenses are paid is a pretty nice chunk to put into savings. You could save almost 10K a year that way. I think what really matters is what YOU want to do being that your financial situation is pretty solid.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

That's a difference of $561. Figuring 40 hours/week, 4 weeks per month, that comes out to $3.50 an hour.... For me and DW, that definitely wouldn't be worth it. Plus, you'll need to take plenty of sick days when DC is sick, or daycare is closed for holidays. There's the added stress on the car you'll be commuting with (even if you calculated gas into the equation).

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

SAHM is my vote. It seems like for the difference in $ it is just not worth it to work. Especially when that $ is just for extras every month. I think you guys would be comfortable with it if you do decide to stay home. I am sure some months you wouldn't even spend all the $, and could put it in the bank & make interest on it. Some months you might have to spend it all if there is an unexpected expense like if the car broke down or something. Regardless it seems like you could trade going out to dinner less, & things like that to stay home with your babies. It seems like that is what you are leaning towards. I say go for it, and don't look back.

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

sigh......you know what gets me also? No matter what decision I make, I feel like I would be making the wrong one.

On one hand, yes, I could totally do it financially. We blow alot of money on Starbucks, buying stuff we don't need, fast food, that sweater I just HAD to have, etc. I could cut back, no question......we don't owe anything and we have some money in the bank. Not a lot, but a decent amount.

BUT.....there are some Sundays that I say, "I can't wait to drop them off tomorrow", because TWINS are ALOT of work -- especially when you have NO ONE to help......Imagine your 9-month old being cranky and fussy......TIMES THAT BY TWO......it's rough, no doubt.....I want to run screaming from the house sometimes.

I make a decent living, but it's definitely a career I could always go back to later on if I wanted to.

I just DON'T KNOW..........anyone else struggling with this? I feel like I am going to regret ANY decision I make.....

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

Posted by maybesoon


I am home now and have a lot more time to cook , shop sales, cut coupons, and figure out ways to save money. Plus its so much less stress, less struggle, no draggging baby out in the cold at 730 AM. time with your LO is priceless, I worked FT till DS was 10 months old and I am so blessed to be with him every day now. not trying to sway you though

Re: Which option would you choose? Please take my poll

I would stay at home with the kids - see how it goes. Work will always be there for you if you return in a year or two.