Being a SAHM = Being Frugal?

**UKMum** · 04-19-2006, 07:57 AM

I have recently reduced my hours at work, I only now work 10 hours per week.
What I have found is that I am so much more content being at home and organising the house etc, that I am SAVING much more money than I thought possible?

I always thought that when I went pt with more time to spare that it would end in disaster, but I have been so busy organising my house and in my garden, that I have hardly spent anything (apart from food/bills)...

It's strange how everything falls into place and you end up contented in your own home and have daily routines......

Sorry if this is all a bit boring and Im probably making you logg off FV

But it's interesting to me how much I underestimated the contentment and joy I would have (and savings) being at home so much more often.....

For example...before I used to spend on transport/lunch/childcare/plus other expense....all gone now

Anybody else agree?

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-19-2006, 08:12 AM

I totally agree, I've been a SAHM now for a little over a year and I notice more money being saved and less being spent because i no longer need to buy lunches or a soda or even snacks... plus less gas in the car.

**Buckeye5** · 04-19-2006, 08:58 AM

I used to be a SAHM, and miss it terribly. I have worked part-time for awhile but recently picked up an extra day, now I work 34 hrs. a week and HATE IT. I feel overwhelmed with things that I see in the house that needs done, I have a lot of medical bills from DD's recent back surgery (sports injury, she is 16 yeras old) and 2 CC's that I am busting tail to pay off. My goal is to work less hours or not all. This is just my opinion, but sometimes women who think that having it all is so great, have to be worn out. I know I am. I miss the little things like the neat and organized house, gardening, being on top of things.

**treeluva** · 04-19-2006, 10:52 AM

I know when I was on maternity leave, I was so much happier. The house was organized, cleaned, yard beautiful, children happy and playful, mom happy and playful, and I definitly spent less money. The greatest thing was still getting my paycheck the whole time I was at home on maternity leave. I cant wait until I can be a SAHM. There are so many things to do at home! As a mom who works 60 hours a week, I will tell you that I am stressed out, worn out, and not an overall happy person. I know that my children are missing out on the best part of mom, because the best part sometimes has to go to work so I can feed them, clothe them, and put a roof over their heads. It sucks!

**suzysaver** · 04-19-2006, 11:26 AM

I used to work full time and always felt overwhelmed and the time I had off, I worked harder at home trying to get it all done. The last 3 years I have worked part-time and I love it. My husband doesn't pitch in with household chores (very much ) and working part-time I enjoy doing these things around the house and by not being so wiped out...I hang the laundry, and make homemade meals and bake cookies......things I wouldn't have felt like doing or had time for when I was working full time. Enjoy it, and make the most of it.

**frugalnana** · 04-19-2006, 12:25 PM

Yes I noticed a difference when I became a sahm. My baby graduates this May. I told dh I would go back to work if he felt I needed to. He said are you crazy, theres a big difference in you when your home. Plus whenever we want to leave and stay the night fishing or camping you can go without having to worry about asking for a day off. The house is more organized and alot of home made meals. He loves it. He brags all the time. I love it to.

**canadian gardener** · 04-19-2006, 01:23 PM

I agree totally. Dh and I think of it this way. Me being home affords us a jump into a peaceful lifestyle that we otherwise couldn't afford. It's bought thru the daily economies and routines that I do daily with a great deal of pleasure. We have a calm, unhurried, less stressful life that feels much nicer than when I used to work shifts as an RN.

**YankeeMom** · 04-19-2006, 01:29 PM

I'm trying to explain this to my husband, but he doesn't get it. Money is VERY tight right now...and he thinks if I go to work part time it will make things easier. He does not get that it takes gas money to get to & from work, it takes money for child care, not to mention I will have less time to cook/manage menus/plan, etc.

I start a part time job tomorrow...so he will soon find out just how far $100/week does NOT go

**pip** · 04-19-2006, 01:34 PM

I was a SAHM for 12 years and recently went back to work part time evenings in the hospital as a nurse. I really love working as a nurse, but my husband became SO unhappy with the hours and had a difficult time managing the kids' schedules, etc. I ended up giving my notice to quit. I'm conflicted, but maybe it will be more peaceful around here. I hope so, anyway.

**ewokgirl** · 04-19-2006, 02:07 PM

Yep. I've been a SAHW for almost 7 years now, and we're both so much more content. When I worked, I constantly wanted new clothes. I rarely go clothes shopping now. I don't need to, nor am I surrounded daily by pressure to wear the latest things. I'm also not buying convenience foods or eating out all the time. Plus, because I cook dinner most nights, DH has good leftovers to bring to work the next day for his lunch. He used to eat out most of his lunches. It's amazing how much money is saved by having one spouse stay at home! Our house is also so clean and peaceful now.

Of course, foundation repair bills coupled with debt we have from an illness I had three years ago may send me back to work, at least part time. We get the foundation estimate today, so I guess I'll find out what the damage is. I've been talking to God about this a lot lately. *sigh*

**ironmaiden** · 04-19-2006, 03:26 PM

I was someone that nobody ever believed would stay home with the kids. I did change to part-time once my 3 months of adoption leave was up. I had a 2 mile commute to work, got to choose my part-time hours, and DS was at daycare at daddy's work. Plus my coworkers would have made bets that I would never give up working. They placed pools as to when I'd come back. And every time I visit the office, I'm offered my job back.

But daycare wasn't working out for my son. I could have worked weekends, from home, nights - anything I wanted. Hey, they hired 4 people to replace me. And when we pulled my son abruptly out of daycare, I couldn't just walk out in the middle of a project, so DH would go to work as early as he could, then I'd go to work the second he got home as we passed off our son. But we both knew we'd hate that as a lifestyle. We like our downtime, our time together, and being less hurried as possible.

And financially, we found out that we saved alot of money by my not working. Although I made far more than we saved, we decided that the kids and our well-being came first. And that I could go back part-time after the kids were in school. With kid number 1, and me home, DH never needed to do anything around the house housework wise. He's a great guy and just pitches in without ever being asked - we're a team. With kid 2 and my putting in hour fighting the mall - gee, it's a part-time job without getting paid - there's been more slipping through the cracks and more that he's had to help with.

It's a matter of how much comes in, how much really needs to go out, and what you want your lifestyle to be - leisure wise and stuffwise.

**i.m.cheap** · 04-19-2006, 05:53 PM

YES! It is so hard to convince DH of this, though. I have worked either full-time or part-time our entire marriage. Just part-time, now, about 12 hours a week in the evenings. I hate it, because we rarely get to eat dinner together. He takes classes two nights a week, when I am not working. He would never want to be the only wage earner, he has made that very clear. If I was not homeschooling our dd, I would be working full-time, because DH would insist.

**Bargainmomtoo** · 04-19-2006, 07:19 PM

Well, I just joined the ranks of SAHM's. Saturday was my last day of work. Dh was the one who decided I needed to stay home - partly because he needed help with his business and he saw attitudes and actions in the girls that he didn't like and felt I needed to be around more for them. If we didn't have so much debt it would be easier, but I think we'll make it. I truly do think we'll be saving money and be healthier by me being home.

**schellie69** · 04-19-2006, 08:26 PM

I have been a sahm for 3 years now after working full time for 5 years, I am much happier the only problem has been my health has taken a bad turn, but now that we are getting that straightened out, things will start to get better, it seems I have no enegry to make the meals I want to, but when I have a good day I make the most of it, and get as much done as I can, I have been having fun with things again. I have gotten so many good ideas from these boards that has helped make it easier to manage things.

**Buckeye5** · 04-19-2006, 10:19 PM

for those of you who work part-time what are your part-time jobs and the hours you work? I am curious. I work at a local store 3 miles up the road was m-Th-Fri 5 am to 2 pm, now I work Sun. 6:30 - 2pm, ( no church for me) Mon. I am off, Tues 2pm-10pm, really 10:30pm, Wed. Off, Thurs and Frid 5 am to 2pm, and Saturdays. off. I only make $5.75 an hour after 2 years.