https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 19:22:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k/page/2#post-330164 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:41:38 +0000 Modern Daisy 330164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in NYC so my comments about income aren't really relevant to the rest of the country, but I will say that we definitely couldn't survive on one salary even with major budget cuts. Over the past year we've cut out a ton of expenses, and while we could go further by getting rid of DH's cell phone, not parking our car here anymore and getting rid of internet - it still wouldn't be enough to pay all of our bills on just one salary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k/page/2#post-330162 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:41:18 +0000 Bookish 330162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, for us to be comfortable in our area, my DH would have to make about 65K. Right now we make that combined, so I will not be staying home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k/page/2#post-330141 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:33:52 +0000 ladyfingers 330141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We make almost $100K combined but there is no way we could maintain our current standard of living on just one of our salaries. I have student loans and a car loan, and DH is still paying off a bit of credit card debt, though we recently made a big dent in it. But then with groceries, gas, bills, and general spending (random trips to the drugstore, dining out once a week, lunch here or there, the occasional makeup replacement for me), it all gets eaten up quite quickly. Plus we're fortunate to be able to put money into savings and afford luxuries like a lawn service, pest service, etc. It wouldn't make financial sense for me (or him) to stay home because our annual cost of daycare isn't even half of one of our salaries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k/page/2#post-330110 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:22:49 +0000 MrsBrewer 330110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Together we barely make just over half of 100k!! I know I will never be able to be a SAHM financially....my husband just isn't in a well paying field.....so I will have to work no matter what. I'm really bummed about that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-330031 Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:40:00 +0000 Mrs.VW 330031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with most posters that it depends on where you live - this is a very interesting post though! It's encouraging to know you don't have to be 'wealthy' to stay at home :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114829 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:25:41 +0000 pastemoo 114829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gosh, this thread makes me very curious how much people really make. I've never in my life had a salary even up to 40k--so the idea of 100k is just--- it's an astronomical number!<br /> And my husband is enlisted in service, so he doesn't make much either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114650 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:38:28 +0000 daniellemybelle 114650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: I complete agree with you!</p> <p>@looch: It *is* comforting. Probably falsely so - mo' money, mo' problems, and all that. But after looking at our current financial situation compared to our current income, I always come back to that "magic" number.</p> <p>@Beyond2: That's great that you have prepared so well. The main reason we are waiting to TTC is to pay off our debt and have a hefty emergency fund. Even on a lower income I would feel much more comfortable once we've secured that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114469 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:54:56 +0000 Beyond2 114469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very interesting responses. We are planning to have me stay home once we have our baby. With two incomes we live on an amount well below $100k. I actually make more than my husband right now and after I quit we'll be living on less than half of what we are now, with no benefits. Our biggest concern right now is health insurance which will coat about $800 a month. Thankfully we put together an emergency fund and have paid off all of our debt in preparation for this time. Even with that, things will be very very tight but we'll manage<br /> because it is very important to both of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114462 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:39:54 +0000 cyneswith 114462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, well under $100K, and we're still making well over the average income for our area. My parents got by on a sergeant's pay for most of my childhood, even living off post without a housing allowance. I'm from MO and ND, currently living in GA, so $100k being considered minimal blows my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114373 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:29:51 +0000 pastemoo 114373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: :) us too. We are actually planning on getting by just the 3 of us on under 50k for as long as we can before I get too antsy and want to go back to work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114301 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 09:49:10 +0000 Arden 114301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ha... we don't even make half that, combined. And we likely never will, considering the line of work we are in (non-profit). But if we could pull in 50k together, I think we would be comfortable and happy with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114270 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 08:07:15 +0000 pastemoo 114270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't even have 100k with both of us working! When I'm at home, we will make way way less, but we can manage on it.<br /> We live in the DC area, we're just good at being frugal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114257 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:46:02 +0000 looch 114257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is something about the 100k figure that is comforting, I have to admit. It was the number I had in my head since I was about 25. I thought it would be enough to maintain most of the lifestyle I percieved I would have when I was starting a family, plus some to save.<br /> Now, I stay at home and I gave up a 6 figure salary. That money was our savings money and I plan to go back soon so we can continue saving aggressively. We live comfortably on my husbands salary, but things could change in an instant and I would feel more comfortable sharing the burden. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114255 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:45:00 +0000 Bluebonnet 114255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: </p> <p>I think the amount of money you can live on largely depends on the cost of living in you area, your financial goals, current debt, and what sort of lifestyle you want to live. </p> <p>It sounds like you've thought a lot about your financial goals and lifestyle and $100,000 could be that number for you. </p> <p>One of the reasons I'm not going to stay home because we can save so much more if I'm working and that is really important to both of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114253 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:43:51 +0000 sorrycharlie 114253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we are in RI, and DH definitely does NOT make 100k a year. I'm a student - and we have quite a bit of debt, but, our cars are paid off and we do not own (save quite a bit of money there). We're doing just fine! </p> <p>you just have to decide what things to cut out and skimp on..for instance, I very rarely buy myself anything (and when I do, it must be on sale/clearance or is something cheap..read, magazine). Also, I get my hair cut once in a blue moon. but, to some people those are important things to get done - so you might have to tweak vacation budget, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114223 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:30:56 +0000 simpleandchic 114223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It totes depends where you live, my DH makes $120k per year and I make $50k, I am going to be a SAHM for one year and then go back to work part time (3 days a week). we are going to have to change our lifestyle heaps, not only will we loose $50k/year which is essentially our play money, but we will also have the added expenses of a baby. Luckily i get 6 weeks paid maternity leave from work and the government will pay me 18 weeks maternity leave at minimum wage (approx $500/week) We just got back from a holiday in Europe, which I suspect will be the last vacation we take for a while..but I know it will be worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-114200 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:25:59 +0000 stiffaknee 114200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it bad that i dont know how much my husband makes? </p> <p>I will be a sahm once baby girl gets here and our household income will drop very close to the 100k mark. My husband has his own law practice, so even though his income is enough for us to live comfortably, we still have to watch our money closely (because his income varies so much and as a result, his tax responsibility is different every quarter). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113945 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:18:24 +0000 SugarplumsMom 113945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH makes way less than $100k! Salaries for engineers here in Sweden are pretty low compared to other places. If we moved to my hometown (San Diego) he would be making over $100 easy. But the standard of living would roughly be the same after you calculate housing costs, childcare, medical &amp; dental, etc - all of which are little to no out-of-pocket cost here.</p> <p>So even if we moved back and I were to get a well-paid, full-time job, it would roughly be the same with 2 incomes vs here with me only working part-time. The only difference would be more expenses for us (we'd definitely buy more), work longer, and won't get to spend as much time together. It is much weather there, but the quiet, simple life away from a bigger city is something we both prioritize (at least for now).</p> <p>It really depends on how much you spend. There's a ton of people that make a ton of money but live paycheck to paycheck. It's all about lifestyle and what's comfortable for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113919 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:45:39 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 113919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@miss-spunkin: I completely agree with what you said! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113915 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:43:22 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 113915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, much less!<br /> I have not been working since 20 weeks due to pregnancy complications. Since then, our household income has only been 62K.<br /> Obviously, things are tight because of a mortgage, 2 car payments, medical bills, student loans, and various other bills, but we are making it. We probably will live with things this tight until LO is 6 months old. Then I will go back to work/look for another job (my job didn't hold my position).</p> <p>Sometimes it's annoying because I can't buy a new pair of shoes or get a manicure when I want to, but we figure that everyone goes through a time where things are tight financially, and ours might as well be now while we are young. If we really needed to cut things, we could get rid of our expensive cable, smart phones, or one of our car payments (we don't NEED a BMW).<br /> We have enough for bills, baby necessities, and food for our bellies. That's enough for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113873 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:42:17 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 113873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Though again, your location is also spendier than some. I betcha my cost of living is cheaper than yours is now... though totally usurped by the fact that we now have 2 houses because the housing market was so bad when we moved! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113870 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:40:29 +0000 BSB 113870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I agree. If it weren't for my student loans and some credit card debt, we could be living fairly well on just my income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113866 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:37:53 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 113866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on student loan debt, credit debt, where you live, whether you rent or own.</p> <p>My parents had 4 kids on a teeny tiny one person income, but neither had student loans, they had a very inexpensive house and little other debt.</p> <p>The other part you have to calculate is daycare cost. If LJ had to go to daycare, hubs would have to make 18-20,000 more a year to have it make financial sense. Otherwise, we'd be losing money.</p> <p>You just have to analyze the finances for your situation. I have a big student loan burden, so we have a different calculation than most families... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113837 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:01:26 +0000 MsMamaBear 113837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: While I think we could do it for under 100K, realistically the only way I'd be a full-time SAHM is if DH was able to make enough to come within striking distance of our current two-person income. </p> <p>Ditto and we aren't near the $100k range.lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113821 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:41:51 +0000 tequiero21 113821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sil is a sahm and my bro makes less than 100k in NYC. He lives comfortably - even has a young son... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113811 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:23:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 113811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, there is such variety! I agree it does depend on a lot on where you live. I know we could be better about our budget, but right now after our bills (we are still working on getting out of debt) there isn't much wiggle room. I don't think we could even pay all our bills on just DH's salary, much less the expenses a child brings, and I think we live fairly modestly.</p> <p>I guess if I'm being honest, I don't *want* to adjust our lifestyle to what it would take for us to live on half of what we make right now. We would have to live in a much smaller place, sell our cars, get rid of cable, never buy organic anymore, etc. While I think we could do it for under 100K, realistically the only way I'd be a full-time SAHM is if DH was able to make enough to come within striking distance of our current two-person income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113792 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:47:16 +0000 cyndistar3 113792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess we live in very different places because my husband doesn't make half of that and I am a SAHM. 100k would make us freaking rich! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113790 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:45:42 +0000 googly-eyes 113790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Us, (eta well not sahm but as of recently I have 0 income, student) and we live in a high cost of living area too! Right now I'm not working because of grad school, but I will be going back to work (if I can find a job in my field!) within six months of having our little one. But since my field is low paying we could probably just as well off if I didn't go back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113788 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:41:35 +0000 bpcmarj 113788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH makes less than that and in a week or two we will be one income. We have been saving my income since August so that we can start looking for a house. DH is great with money and we live pretty simply, so I am not worried. If I were to return to work after the babay, what I would make would just cover daycare and that's just not worth it to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sahms-have-household-income-less-than-100k#post-113785 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:32:38 +0000 Nskillet 113785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I combined make just under that but with our expenses mortgage, car payment, insurance, food, and a lot of debt we couldn't swing it. Honestly, me not returning to work wasn't even an option on the table for us. If one of us lost our jobs we would cut expenses and figure it out but it would be really really hard. </p>