https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Jul 2026 02:48:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-723723 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:09:14 +0000 photojane 723723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're not used to an extravagant lifestyle, so I really don't feel like I'm making many sacrifices. I'd love to be able to afford to buy a house, but I know that will come eventually. We're still pretty young, so I'm just enjoying this time with S... we'll have a house one day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-723652 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:30:23 +0000 fancyfunction 723652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're not able to save as much money as we did when I was working, but if I was working, my whole salary would be going towards daycare. I try to be cognizant of my spending - which I always was when I worked anyway. I try not to buy as many clothes for myself, but I usually do well with coupons, sales, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-723632 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:11:52 +0000 iheartleopardprint 723632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What frustrates me is when people say that you are "lucky to be a sahm". It's not luck that allows us to live off one income, it's hard work and sometimes sacrifice.</p> <p>We don't have a lot on savings anymore, and some weeks we are tight for money. BUT, we never really go without the important things and I would much rather sacrifice that new dress or going out to dinner to be able to raise our kids myself. </p> <p>But, if I was to return to work, I think it would cost more! Child are for 2 kids, we would need another car, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-712499 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:33:56 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 712499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything! My DH went to law school, took a job in a place with a low cost of living, I quit my (awesome) salaried job, we bought a house....we pretty much totally changed our lives. So far it has been worth it, although I anticipate getting back into the working world once I'm done having LOs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-712496 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:31:33 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 712496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the bread winner, so it's not an option, but when Mr. Jacks was a SAHD we cut our current spending in half, so $25 a month for items for the girls was $12.50. Instead of eating out once or twice a month, we didn't at all, and our food budget was much tighter. We still saved enough for our adoption and down payment on our new house, but only because I'm such a tightwad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-712464 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:42:01 +0000 MamaBehr 712464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is so funny. I am a SAHM but I don't think I could afford to go back to work! We have two little ones now, and DD is starting preschool next year. If I wanted to go back to work she couldn't go to this preschool, because full day is 3000 more a year and we would have to get after school care, and I would have to find someplace to put DS. Based on how much I was making when I was working, my actual take home would be very small. </p> <p>We have had to make sacrifices, but only because we want to send her to a Montessori school next year. We got rid of the lawn service, save very little, shop very little. We celebrated 5 years married this year and didn't do anything or exchange gifts. But, even if I was working, it wouldn't add that much to our bank account because of childcare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-712375 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:17:51 +0000 StbHisMrs 712375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We won't have much to cut, we don't have cable, no fancy cars, I hardly ever shop for myself, my dh won't give up his iphone, we have to have internet/wifi. All the cuts would be on his spending, coffee/energy drinks every morning, eating out when out of town, buying frivolous things... I should bring that up to him ;) He doesn't think he spends much, but I think he spends double what I do and I buy all the groceries! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711649 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:21:32 +0000 shopaholic 711649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't worked in a couple of years pre-baby so a lot of the income and spending changes had already taken place gradually before baby. I stopped getting my nails done except for special occasions. I got really frugal with haircuts (from $100+ to twice a year at a school or with a lot lower level stylist). Not working cut my dry cleaning bill to almost nothing. No more maid cleaning service (though now with he baby here I really want that back for my sanity). We got rid of cable movie channels. We rarely go to the movies anymore. Eat out less (especially dinner and happy hours with co-workers and friends)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711641 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:18:27 +0000 heffalump 711641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a SAHW due to health issues before I became a SAHM, so we were used to living without my income. Plus I've always been very thrifty. I only buy things I need. Like if I already have a pair of black dress shoes, I won't buy another pair no matter how cute they are because I don't NEED them. I've always been like that though, it wasn't a change for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711454 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:24:42 +0000 Weagle 711454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meredithNYC: haha... But really. I'm much crazier now. </p> <p>We've always lived on DH's income alone, even when I was working, so we didn't give up a ton that would affect daily life. We got rid of cable, but because we just didn't watch it enough to justify the expense. We've never had a housekeeper or gardener or anything like that. A lot of money saving things happened naturally. We eat at home more because I have more time to cook and I enjoy it. We're not spending lots of money on recreational activities because we have a baby. We still have smartphones. We aren't, however, growing our savings as much as we would like, but that's mainly because we're still learning how to be frugal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711413 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:09:21 +0000 meredithNYC 711413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Uh, my sanity? </p> <p>But no, in seriousness we didn't cut out much in the way of cable/smartphone, etc., but that's because my husband wouldn't hear of it. I do find that I spend much less on clothing and beauty products and I cook A LOT. However, I really enjoy cooking, so that's no big deal to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711319 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:40:51 +0000 Silva 711319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I went back to work, we would be able to afford moving to a larger apartment &amp; would pay down our student loans more quickly (from graduate school for me and medical school for my husband).<br /> I plan to take at least a year off. We are going to re-assess in a year and decide what the priorities are. If we can manage to make it in our tiny apartment, I may stay home longer or just go back to work part time (to help with student loans). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711302 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:29:23 +0000 HLK208 711302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No vacations, no luxury cars and less furniture/clothes shopping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711294 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:26:42 +0000 littlek 711294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We wouldn't have to change our lifestyle, DH does very well. But I would sacrifice my career which I have worked hard for and the financial independence it gives me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711280 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:22:50 +0000 rawrasaur 711280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not going to lie, the cost of living in this town is low, so it makes it a ton easier. Of course, incomes are also much lower, and that is why it was easy for me to leave my old job behind. We really live similarly to the way we did before, money wise. I do want to cut my data plan in November when our contracts renew, though, because I'm always home and connected to wifi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711268 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:18:58 +0000 regberadaisy 711268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no gardener, no housekeeper, haven't gone on vacation really since our HM in 2010, the last time I shopped (first time since maternity shopping) I bought 2 items from ON for like $5 each.<br /> The only real big thing available to cut is our take out once a week, Cable TV and smart phones. Even then not sure if we could swing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711241 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:10:23 +0000 immabeetoo 711241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: For what it is worth, it's less of a problem than I thought it would be... mostly because I don't have as much free time as I used to :) I'm trying, in general, to just buy what I (or LO) needs and price compare/check ebay/etc. before I do. I used to get in the trap of buying things because they were cheap/on sale and figured it would save money in the long run. After looking at my closet with fresh eyes post-maternity clothes wearing I recognize the error of my ways seeing as I have like 13 pairs of jeans that are not close to being worn out... and LO has several outfits from the last size he didn't wear more than once because he just had too many clothes.</p> <p>Moving frequently (4 times in the past 5 years) has also opened my eyes to less stuff = better... now that we're in a house I view every item that comes in as something more I have to dust/move to vaccum which helps too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711236 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:09:22 +0000 mrskc 711236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We definitely ate out less after having the baby. We did order in more tho. I hear ya on the cleaning lady. It will be hard to give her up. I hate cleaning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711212 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:00:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 711212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest thing for us is that we delayed having kids by an extra year until DH's salary alone will be enough for us to be comfortable. We'll be cutting back when I quit for sure, but a lot of that would naturally happen anyway, I think-- like we'll go out to eat less often, regardless of money, just because we have a baby. And so far, the plan is to not have a cleaning lady, since I'll be home. That part might be tough for me, since I suck at cleaning, so it's still negotiable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711187 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:53:27 +0000 mrskc 711187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: Recreational shopping is my problem. lol But I know i can control it. My budget doesn't include DH's monthly overtime. Which is a few hundred a month so we can definitely put that into our savings or use it towards other things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711166 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:49:15 +0000 immabeetoo 711166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: we're younger and I knew we wanted to have kids younger, and that I wanted to SAHM, so we've been living and budgeting off DH's income for the past 3 years. So; although I'm no longer working.. nothing has really changed except our savings (we still save, just obviously not as much). </p> <p>With that being said - I groom our dog myself, cut DH's hair myself, usually cut my own hair myself, meal plan, shop/stock up on sales, don't have cable, etc. We still save and will have money to travel once we're ready to leave our son!</p> <p>One change I've made, and more from a perspective change (although it has financial benefits) is stopping recreational shopping for the most part. I thought I was saving money and having fun by buying jeans on super clearance when they fit but once I was back out of maternity clothes I realized how small of a wardrobe I actually wore. I'm taking a huge haul of stuff to the consignment store this weekend!</p> <p>For holidays and birthdays we've never really gotten each other gifts, we usually just go out to eat. My family decided not to exchange presents at Christmas except for each others' kids which will help a lot too.</p> <p>Another thing to consider - did you budget in year-end bonuses, holiday money, etc. if you receive those? We don't budget those as income, and usually split them 80/20 between extra savings and something fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711165 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:49:05 +0000 pui 711165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have to give up "dividing" the chores. I would end up being the caretaker of the home while my husband becomes the caretaker of the office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711129 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:41:00 +0000 mrskc 711129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I definitely factored in some occasional treats, like eating out once a month and we would still be able to afford our smartphones. I'd rather cut DH's hair and make other adjustments than give up my iPhone. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711113 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:37:58 +0000 looch 711113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>None, because my husband won't cut things like cable, smartphones, etc etc. </p> <p>I didn't look at it as giving anything up, instead, I still got my hair cut at the same time place, but just not as often. I didn't need the work wardrobe and I ate lunch at home. I had to treat myself once in a while, otherwise, I would have gone nuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711100 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:35:14 +0000 Running Elley 711100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cable, smart phones, being able to just go shopping on a whim (we budget for clothes) and eating out. We still go on date nights but we use gift cards. It hasn't been as hard of an adjustment as I thought it'd be actually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-sacrifices-did-you-make-to-become-a-sahm#post-711085 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:30:42 +0000 mrskc 711085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did you sacrifice to be a SAHM? </p> <p>If I were to become a SAHM, I would definitely have to keep my spending in check. We would need to give up cable TV, gardener, housekeeper, meal planning would become a must, no new clothes, I would need to learn to cut DH's hair, no costly outings, no trips, we would hardly have enough leftover to save anything. I think I could live without all of this. but losing the financial security that 2 jobs provides is scary. Especially if I were to keep working, we could potentially pay off our house in 5 years. That seems huge to me. </p>