Quote:
Originally posted by kappaloo
I'd really like to stay home with my kids for awhile when they are young - but will it happen? The ideal of a one-parent working family is only realistic for those who can afford it.
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It can happen if you prepare for it and are willing to give up some things. (Unless, of course, you are married to one of those men who makes $800,000 per year!)
If it something you want, work to stay debt-free and put some money into savings for a rainy day. I could not afford to stay at home with my first child, but when I went back to work I used my salary to pay off debts until my second child was born 2 1/2 years later. We pretended that we had only one income - my husbands, and used mine to pay everything off and save a little. It worked. In the process, we learned how to manage on one salary, and were better prepared for when I finally did resign.
There are tons of ways to save money - you definately learn when the sales are at stores, and shop seasonally - buy clothes at clearance prices. I'm not talking cheap clothes either - if you hit the stores at the right time - you will pay $10.00 for the great Chaus or Liz dress instead of the original $80.00. Coupons are like cash at the store. Did you know that Walmart will match any sale price on every item they carry?
We drive older cars (they are paid for), and don't live in a mansion. But I think we are doing okay. We save for vacations, and are able to take some fairly nice trips every year. You may not be vacationing in the bahamas, and you might be doing your own nails, but it can be done. For most, it just boils down to what and how much you are willing and able to sacrifice.