Two Income Trap!

[mama2James]

I'd say we're stuck in it! As much as I believe in the frugality and sensibility of being a one income household with a stay at home parent, that's just not reality for us right now.
My husband's current job does not offer health insurance, and we are still working on becoming debt-free except the mortage...so for the immediate future we will both be working.
What's getting me down is the huge chunk of my take home pay that childcare costs. I don't think it's overpriced, after all I am paying someone to care for the most precious people in my life, and the cost per hour is very low when you calculate it. That being said, I will be handing over approximately a third of my take home pay every month. Half of that will be going to my MIL since she will be caring for the baby. I feel better about that because she will be getting one on one care, and my MIL is struggling financially, so it helps her immensely too. DS will be attending a daycare center will a preschool program. I believe preschool is very important for kids. I would likely send him to a part time preschool even if I were staying at home, for the enrichment value.
In contemplating all the options during my maternity leave, I have realized that it will be important for our family for us to work towards that goal of having me at home, at least most of the time. I do enjoy my career as a nurse, and wouldn't want to leave the field completely. Someday, I'd like to see my husband carrying the health insurance, or obtaining it separately from our employment. If that were to happen, along with our expenses being reduced by not having debt payments, I would be able to work on a per diem basis, while the kids were in school, or occasional weekend or night shifts without incurring child care costs on a regular basis. I'd also like to see my husband and I working for ourselves in some way or another, perhaps as property managers or landlords.
If you read this far, thanks for letting me vent and ramble to people who understand and can relate! That's why I love FV!!

[mommynurse]

I'm a nurse also and work PT for the insurance. I worked per diem for eight years and we had an individual policy. It wasn't as expensive as you'd imagine. I enjoyed being able to work around my kids' schedules- I feel blessed that I had that opportunity for so long. My husband and I were able to "tag team" the kids and rarely needed to pay for childcare. It's definitely do-able.

[mama2James]

I've thought about getting a high deductible private policy, unfortunately Maine has some stupid laws that have made it difficult for insurance companies to operate here, therefore it's hard to find a policy. There is one insurer who is still here, but the rates are quite high. Right now I find myself needing to go back to work in another 3 weeks or so when my FMLA leave is up, my current position is 3 12 hr days shifts per week. I will definitely have my eye out for opportunities to make the shift towards being at home more!

[mauimagic]

I really admire how you are being proactive about caring for your family and finances. It's going to be interesting to see what choices you make as you go on - please keep us updated!!