B.B.
It's a very difficult decision from a financial standpoint to stay at home. You've gotten some good feedback so far. ALthough, I do have to say when looking at cutting back expenses and making a budget, be realistic. Yes, stop eating out as much....but not altogether. Sometimes you just can't cook dinner, or are tired of eating at home all the time, so put it in the budget for a few meals a month (even if it's just fast food). We're Dave Ramsey fans, and one thing he says is to give a name to every dollar you have. When doing your budget, zero it out. So start with your income each month, and work out how much everything is (including savings, car repairs, hair cuts, clothes...every little thing). When done, you should have a big zero at the bottom of the page. Also, allow some "blow money". You know that realistically, you'll want a new purse, or your husband wants a new tool (or whatever). Put whatever amount you have in your budget (even if it's only $5 a week) as "blow money" to do whatever you want with. This way you don't always feel like you never get to do anything other than pay bills. I'm 28 weeks pregnant, and I have a "cravings" budget each month. There are times when I just have to have Braum's fries and a brownie fudge sundae. I limit how often I have these, but this way I don't feel completely deprived.
The biggest thing is to be realistic. Things always look better on paper than they do in real life. It doesn't always work out exactly how you planned it (that's why you should put it in your budget to save $ each month for emergencies). I also agree to start living only on your husband's income and setting your paychecks aside in savings. I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace University (go to www.daveramsey.com). It really helped us make our decision for me to stay at home last year when my son turned 1.
