What sacrifices have you made to be a stay-at-home mom?
By queenbean
@queenbean (97)
United States
May 20, 2007 11:02am CST
We all have had to make sacrifices in order to stay at home with our kids. Of course we're happy to do it, but there are some things we must go without in order to be at home and raise our children.
I just sold my car, because it will save us about $200 per month total between the car payment and insurance. I loved that car, but we don't really need it. We got rid of our cell phones and instead got emergency phones that cost $20 for both a month instead of $90. We've stopped eating out so often to save money, and we joined Freecycle so that we can get household items for free instead of having to spend so much money. I've had to sacrifice some freedom, because now my life centers around naps and mealtimes... if we go out, it has to be between those times, unless we want a cranky, sleepy baby in the mall.
I would sacrifice much more though if I had to. What have you given up or cut back on in order to make it possible to stay at home?
3 responses
@mememama (3076)
• United States
20 May 07
We downsized to one car, it kind of sucks having my husbands stuff in "my car" lol. We also don't get out as much as we used to, but I doubt we would hire a babysitter even if we had the money, I really don't trust too many people for that. We also don't eat out as often as we used to, if I'm not in the mood to cook-tough luck-the family has to eat! I also don't shop for clothes as much as I used to, it's really tempting now that I'm losing the baby weight! So I go to secondhand stores instead of the mall.
@queenbean (97)
• United States
20 May 07
Yeah... our friends keep asking us to let them sit for us, but we've only left her once. It was my birthday, and my husband insisted because I had been stressed. But we just take her everywhere with us. We're a family, and if we can't all go somewhere, we just don't go. :-)
You should look into Freecycle in your area, if you haven't already... I've gotten a lot of clothes for myself and the baby, and TONS of great toys. It's www.freecycle.org, and then there's a place to search for a local group. Also GREAT for getting rid of any clutter and things you don't need.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
20 May 07
well...i guess college for the first part. i became pregnant right after HS, my plan was to wait a year then go to school, but things changed and i couldn't afford to go to school. i'm hoping that when the kids get older i'll be able to take some corses, but since we're low income, i doubt it'll be anytime soon. i love my kids. and my family, i just do feel the strains of financial stress as most sahm do. i haven't really bought or done much for myself because its all for my kids and husband, just to keep the family afloat. i sometimes try to eat less so my husband will have more to eat since he does eat more.
@queenbean (97)
• United States
23 May 07
Do'nt give up on the college dream. I know it's hard right now... I was planning to get my Master's Degree, but then I got pregnant, so that's on hold until all the kids are at least in school. But I WILL go back once that happens. Hang on to your own dreams. They might have to wait a little while, but keep them there for the future -- don't just throw them away. :)
@susanh39 (200)
• United States
26 May 08
Hi - yes, we do make sacrifices, but they are so worth it! We shop thrift stores almost exclusively (we do have some fantastic ones here), my husband bicycles to work a few days a week, I use coupons a LOT (grocery, hobbies, etc.), I shop Aldi's and Walmart for the best prices on what we use as a family, I share driving around town for errands with a friend, I always shop when there are sales, and many other things. We are so blessed to have family and a few friends who are willing to spend time with our children while we go out once in a while, so we don't spend anything on a sitter. Freecycle and Cheapcycle are huge in our house. We've been blessed with so much through those sites and have been able to bless others as well. We homeschool, so we do save a lot of money there with not having to buy specified school supplies, school clothes wardrobe, etc. We love spending time together as a famiy and find inexpensive ways to do so!
Don't lose sight of why you decided to stay home in the first place. As parents, I truly believe we'll be blessed here and there with glimpses of how our decision to stay home with our children is paying off. However, the true measure of our devotion and commitment to them may not be realized until many years down the road....something to look forward to, yes?
