We're going to try living on one income..

02-01-2007, 05:27 PM

Well, we actually kind of sat down in the last week and figured out that without my unemployment checks, that we're only $200 short each month (my unemployment checks are about $1400/month). So while I haven't decided if I want to go back to work right away, we've at least decided to see if we can tweak our budget to live on just DH's income. I have another 22 weeks or so of unemployment, so we have time.

So far, we've shuffled some of the phone/internet around. We've been able to turn off two computers, that should help with the power bill. The phone/internet savings are about $25-$50 per month.

I just wanted to post here so it seems real - more accountability, I guess.

**cheappearls** · 02-01-2007, 05:47 PM

Just keep us informed on how things go!

**annymoll** · 02-01-2007, 05:51 PM

Go for it, and enjoy every minute with that little cutie!

**Dancing Lotus** · 02-01-2007, 07:15 PM

So if I read that right you are 200 short if you dont change your spending habbits and just have dh's pay. I bet you can do it!!!!!!!!

**banana** · 02-01-2007, 07:25 PM

Best of luck Sara. I'm sure you can do it. Have you thought about looking for something to do part-time when dh is at home? That would help you bring in some more $. I know when my son was small I would try and work part-time here and there. I helped my pocketbook and my sanity, lol.

**i.m.cheap** · 02-01-2007, 09:32 PM

Good luck to you. I am sure you will find some way to make it work! Since you have a degree, maybe you could get an adjunct teaching position at a college. My DH is teaching two, three credit hour classes this semester at a community college, and the pay is great for a part-time job!

**Cricket1** · 02-01-2007, 11:25 PM

You can do it!

**Mom23boys** · 02-03-2007, 06:20 PM

Good luck Sara! I know you will be able to do it!

**2boys2girls** · 02-04-2007, 10:13 AM

You can do it! Looking into that baby's face is all the motivation you need. I wouldn't trade staying at home with my kids for the world! Good luck and hang in there!

Whitney

**Jill B.** · 02-04-2007, 09:04 PM

I think you can do it too! If you bank the other $1200 a month (and use $200), you can save a lot of money to draw on (at $200 a month) for at least a year.

**Cricketlegs** · 02-04-2007, 09:54 PM

I was lucky. I was a negative retoucher for about 12 years but I got to spend most of those years working at home. Yes it was stress ful as all get out and it is hard to seperate the two family and job but I muddled through.

It is great to be able to stay home with the kids and I hope it all works out for you!

Now I am just a SAHM but I am about to reopen my Ebay business for cash to keep the kid in college!

Good luck

**mom2three** · 02-07-2007, 11:10 AM

You can do it Sarah! I am in the same situation except I have 3 children. Two years ago I would have thought it was impossible and was very overwhelmed. With my third child (born September 7, 2006), I have found that it can be done - wish I hadn't made so many frivolous decisions along the way. As my MIL says you make do with what you have. If I knew with my first child what I know now, I would have tried extremely hard to make it work long before now! It's very worth it!

Amanda

**MandaRenee** · 02-07-2007, 01:38 PM

It sounds like it would be very possible for you to do it. Just watch those dollars closely. Dh and I are going to start trying to live on one income because we want to start a family soon and then I'll stop working. I know we can do it if we just buckle down.

**freerangers** · 02-08-2007, 06:55 AM

Yaay! It sounds to me like you can do it on one income--bravo to y'all for working it all out!!
That baby boy will be grown in the blink of an eye, I promise you, and you'll not regret one moment of being the one to raise him and watch him grow.

~~