https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:58:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-3960 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:26:01 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 3960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure the area you live in deeply affects your finances. Another part of being a SAHM, is that I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm a working type of gal. being a sahm is hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-3808 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:49:11 +0000 mynoahbear 3808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a SAHM due in part to my husband's job bringing us here to Tokyo. We're actually able to live very comfortably because our rent and utilities are paid for by his company. If we were back in the states, I would definitely be working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-3111 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:04:18 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 3111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree on the growing fund. It becomes more and more interesting. Hopefully we can get a good amount. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2991 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 06:48:54 +0000 looch 2991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry, DS was making noise instead of napping and I didn't get a chance to finish my thoughts!</p> <p>Sometimes just starting to save is the most difficult part. Once you see that fund growing, it becomes a challenge to increase it. </p> <p>For us, it would have made more sense if I stayed employed but our childcare options were poor, so it would have compromised 2 careers instead of one. I wanted to work part time, but my employer had other ideas, so we parted ways. If I need extra income, I would look to watch another baby. Since I'm already at home, it wouldn't be too difficult to add in another infant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2990 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 06:31:41 +0000 looch 2990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think having an emergency fund will help you take the edge off the stress for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2989 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:12:05 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 2989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lOoch - wow how amazing. I wish I was that organized but alas that is not the case and will have to find my own way. We will starting January put money aside in the "emergency fund" so hopefully having that money will make me less stressed with our finances. </p> <p>@bykes - everyone is different and if what you are doing works than hats off to you. Unfortunately for my Canadian law doesn't allow compensation for donations. But I did consider "pharmaceutical testing - common drugs" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2956 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:09:05 +0000 MaisyMay 2956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bykes - Sometimes I wish they payed for Plasma in the Bay Area! I give blood (for free) but know that I'd qualify to give plasma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2951 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:04:05 +0000 bykes187 2951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Looch, you are awesome! We planned to try to live on one salary but I got pregnant so quickly and we were both working for so little it didn't work out.</p> <p>I have a weird situation that won't transfer well into much advice, but I think my big savings come through absolute bare minimum spending. We've been incredibly blessed through hand-me-downs for Chickie, and for clothes for myself, I borrowed a friend's maternity wardrobe, and then made do or thrifted post-baby clothes. </p> <p>I've also gone suuuuuper cheap on personal hygiene items - I now wash my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar (google "no poo"), and I wash the baby with Dr. Bronner's soap, which one big $14 bottle from Target has lasted me an entire year because it lathers so much from so little. I don't do fancy face creams and I barely wear makeup anymore. We also cloth diaper during the day (I can't keep her from rashing overnight so we do disposables then) and I do cloth wipes part time too, to save money.</p> <p>And (this is NOT for everyone) DH and I also donate plasma, which has a small amount of compensation. It's not a lot, but between the two of us, it's a goodly car payment-type amount per month. We've gotten some flack for this because some folks think you shouldn't ever sell life-giving material, but if this is the way that the plasma product industry works then I don't see why I should walk in there twice a week and let them take more than a liter of bodily fluid from me and then try to STOP them from paying me when they pay everyone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2947 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:14:00 +0000 mrs. wagon 2947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So many things... you can cut out cable and try to share internet with a neighbor through wifi. (We didn't do this but we are considering doing it now, with Netflix streaming working so well with our TV.) We only buy diapers and wipes at Costco when there's a coupon-- and when there is, we stock up and buy the max amount per trip. I borrowed a pump (got my own tubing and parts) and exclusively breastfed, and when we moved to formula I used Kirkland brand (from Costco). We used Playtex drop-ins (you can buy generic drop-ins cheap from Target or BJ's). </p> <p>We only have car (so only one car payment, insurance payment and excise tax) and we started eating at home a lot. As a SAHM you really only need two or three outfits consisting of yoga pants and hoodies, so your clothes shopping bill goes wayyy down!</p> <p>Also, both Rob Sr. and I picked up part time jobs. Rob Sr. works 9-5 in academia, and he's always tutored on the side, and he picked up several more students. I picked up several part time jobs. You have to get creative but there are definitely ways to make money as a SAHM-- not only by working from home too. You can work night or weekend hours. </p> <p>I also recently started couponing. Go to couponmom.com. I only do it when I can get something almost for free, and then I stock up. Mostly you can do this with toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, deoderant, and razors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2879 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:37:50 +0000 looch 2879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2839 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:05:14 +0000 MaisyMay 2839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure for SAHM's, but this summer we've lived on mostly one salary, and we've still made due. Do movie nights at home, see if there is a drive-in near by. We have one and it's cheap to see a movie, plus you can take Baby in the car with you if you want. Look for community festivals, farmers markets, concerts in a park, those are all usually cheap date nights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-would-love-to-know-how-you-do-it-on-one-salary#post-2834 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:50:25 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 2834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know being SAHMS is tough. In every sense of the word and alot of adjustements need to be done. I would love to hear how it's working out for you, what do you do to stay on budget and if you have any tips and tricks. </p> <p>Even though I will be paid (a portion) while on mat leave, I want to make sure I stay on track. We can't stack coupons in canada so there is no way i can have a 20$ grocery bill for 300$ worth. I'm also wondering what you do to keep your marriage in check, exciting. Do you have date nights even though you are on a tight budget?</p> <p>I think this is a very interesting topic and can definitely help others with similar questions! :) </p>