Pretty Good Article~ Can You Afford Two Incomes?

**joyofsix** · 11-11-2009, 12:09 PM

http://www.finetunedfinances.com/200...d-two-incomes/

While I think working can still make sense, this is good food for thought.

**Lora88** · 11-11-2009, 04:49 PM

IF you have a good career it pays to work but if your making a small salary you might as well stay home. For a long period of time I worked because dh job did not give benefits. I think I netted about 20.00 bucks a week after childcare and other expenses but I was the benefits provider at that time for the family so I was stuck . Thank God things are different now

**Inkstain82** · 11-11-2009, 04:58 PM

The cost of childcare is why my wife and I work different shifts.

Yes, it's hard. But it will be worth it in the long run.

**pollypurebred39** · 11-11-2009, 05:22 PM

It would never pay for me to work outside the home. Besides the last thing my husbands interested in doing is 50% of the housework, 50% of the childcare, 50% the of being taxi driver to children, 50% of the food shopping, 50% of cooking, 50% of clothes shopping, 50% of schooling youngest, 50% of anything that's my job on a full time basis.

Our standard of living is much higher due to the fact that I stay home. No prefab food, a clean home, happy kids, bargin shopping and crafting that provide Christmas, birthdays, and lots of extras. Our money stretches so much further then it would if I worked. I'd just be too beat up to do things like make homemade breads, pastas, cookies, cakes and pies. I would be hitting that drive thru window for sure. I'd be too tired to hunt for bargins, or make Christmas and birthday gifts, to drive my kids anywhere, to give my husband the attention he needs, to help at bake sales or missions for church. Life is far better for us with me being a full time homemaker, wife and Mom.

Great article, Thanks!

**ravenmaniac** · 11-11-2009, 05:24 PM

Thank you for sharing this article. I have only some college so I usually made around $9.00 and hour. My husband works shift work so us working different shifts to offset child care was never an option.

I do not regret one moment of being home with my kids. I loved every minute of it. The only reason I started working is because I'm an Instructional Assistant. I was off when my kids were off. I still have my job and I love working with kids.

My kids are grown now.

**savvy_sniper** · 11-11-2009, 07:25 PM

I saw a show on TV one time. It was about a couple with two young children that just couldn't get ahead, but THOUGHT that the wife HAD to work. A guy sat them down, wrote down what they brought home and all their expenses. He was able to prove to them that they would come out ahead if the wife stayed home.

But the wife couldn't stay home, eat bon bons, go shopping with her girl friends, play tennis at the country club, etc. It is all about wants and needs and being honest and realistic.