A.M.
I would like to recommend a fabulous book for you to read and study ... "Women Leaving the Workplace: How to Make the Transition from Work to Home" by Larry Burkett. This author is a major financial guru and has interviewed thousands of women who did this for their families. It helped me tremendously when I was pregnant and was certain that we weren't able to live on one income. This book taught me (and my husband) how anyone can live on one income - any income no matter how small - and still live comfortably and peacefully knowing that you're the primary caregiver for your baby.
It takes a lot discipline and sacrifice, but you can live on your husband's income alone. It can be done. You just have to examine the extras or other expenses you have that can be trimmed or dropped all together. Trust me, we spent a few years living without the extras...without cable, without cellphones, driving old cars, living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment... but it was well worth it! And now, we've been blessed ... my husband got a new job paying a larger salary when my son turned 1 yr. Let me know if you have any questions about the transition.
I would recommend trying to live on one income right now ... try it for a month - or more months if you can - (and sock away the other spouse's income in savings for that month) ... trim the extras and unnecessary stuff. If you need help, deciding what to trim ... ask a frugal friend - they'll tell you the truth. This will give you the confidence that it can be done. And to top it off, you'll have some savings!
I applaud you for wanting to stay at home with your baby. It's a hard decision to make and it's not for everyone, but once you've made that decision - go with it and give it all you've got. It can be done.
I'd be leary of the "home business" opportunities... so many companies prey upon us moms that just want to so desperately stay at home with our babies and make ends meet. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true... it usually is. If it was really that good and well-paying, then everyone would be working from home! Why would anyone work for corporate America and fight rush-hour traffic every day?
I've found that it was best for me to work and re-adjust our family budget first, get that squared away... then if a good opportunity presented itself to me...then I would take it and but still stay at home, but not taking too much time away from my son. So far, all the opps I've heard about have been duds. But that's Ok b/c we're doing great on just one income. Everything else would be icing on the cake. I have done some babysitting for friends here and there and that has provided some dating money. But it's not a regular thing, since I like having the flexibility to do anything and go wherever we want with my son at the spur of the moment. That's a big benefit to being a SAHM. And when they're sick, you don't have any committments to anyone else... you can just take care of their needs first - not some company's.
I love being a SAHM!! Can you tell?? ha!
Good luck! I'm so happy for you -- making this leap is very brave and a wonderful decision for your family!!
-A.
Here's the link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802491650/ref=si3_rdr_b...
