I love being home!

[i.m.cheap]

We have been a one income family for almost five months now. I am so happy to be at home full-time! It is my "dream job". My stress levels have plummeted. I was able to go and stay with my 28 year old daughter for ten days when her husband died recently. I didn't have to worry about getting time off work, or anything. I just gassed up the car and went.

There is more time now for frugal pursuits, like thrift store shopping, scratch cooking, serious couponing and stockpiling. Today, for instance, I woke early to take DH to work at 6am, so I could have the car for the day. After returning home for breakfast, the newspaper, a shower, and a few household chores, I headed off to the Goodwill store for their $1 clothing sale. I found several nice items there, a shirt and two ties for DH, a dress and a pair of jeans for dd, two shirts for me, and four items to mail off to the grandsons. Then I stopped at Aldi's to pick up $8 worth of groceries. Home for lunch, and then two hours of coupon clipping and organizing. I was a couple of weeks behind, because of the unplanned trip. I also went through and pulled out all the expired coupons (I do this once a month). Then it was time to pick up DH at work.

If I was still working I would have been rushing to get to work right after DH got home. Even on a Saturday. But now, I don't have to rush, so I make a pot of coffee for DH and I to share. While this is going on, I have the clothes from the thrift store in the washer, then the dryer. When they are done, the ones I am sending to the grandsons get ironed, folded neatly, wrapped in tissue paper, then placed in a box for mailing. It is not yet 5pm, so I grab the package and head to Dillon's (one of the double coupon grocery stores). At Dillon's, I mail the package, and grab a cart. I have my trusty coupon binder with me. I grab a few advertised specials that I have coupons for, and some lettuce and an avocado for tonights dinner- Taco Salad. My total savings on this trip are 58%, not my best, but I did get two "Catalina" coupons (the kind that print out at the checkout), one is for $5.00 off my next shopping order for buying Pillsbury products (they were on sale, and I had coupons), and another one for $2.00 off my next fresh beef or chicken purchase. That one was for buying four Hamburger Helpers. They were on sale for $1.00, and I used two coupons for .50/2 which doubled, so I paid $2.00 for four boxes, and received a coupon for $2.00 in free meat, not a bad deal.

Total spent at Dillon's $27.89
Saved with coupons $17+
Saved with store card $16+
Total savings 58% - plus $7.00 in coupons to use next shopping trip

When I got home, and got the groceries put away, I started the beef cooking for our taco salads, sliced some green onions, and diced an avocado. I had purchased the lettuce and the cheese already shredded. The salads were yummy. We made them on a bed of crushed tortilla chips, the taco seasoned beef with a can of drained red kidney beans added, shredded lettuce, shredded Mexican style cheese, diced avocado, sliced green onions, salsa, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. When I was working, I rarely got to eat dinner with the family. This is so much better!

After dinner, I do the dishes and clean the kitchen. Then I get some computer time. We make more coffee (decaf this time), and have our cinnamon rolls. Now as I sit here writing this, I just feel so thankful to be a stay at home mom. My life is as good as it ever has been.

[Neeley]

I was able to go and stay with my 28 year old daughter for ten days when her husband died recently..

Sorry to go way off topic, but I am so sorry to hear this happened. That is so sad. How is your daughter doing now?

[i.m.cheap]

My daughter, Shannon is doing as well as possible, I guess. She also has two sons, ages 7 and 11.

[Neeley]

Oh that does break my heart. It was very fortunate you were able to go and be with her and the boys when they really needed someone.

[banana]

I too am sorry to hear about your son in law, it is very sad.

[FrugalMomof3]

I too am sorry to hear about the son-in-law but glad you were able to be with your DD, I too love being able to be a SAHM.

[PrairieRose]

Deb, first of all I'm so sorry to hear about your son in law I hope your daughter will be ok as time goes on.

I know exactly how you feel about being a stay at home. Most people that I know in RL can not imagine how I can be so happy staying at home but I am. It's truly what I want to do and feels natural to me. Good for you, I hope you are a forever stay at home if that's what you wanna be.

[annymoll]

I am so sorry to hear of the death of your SIL. Your daughter is a lucky woman to have a mother as kind and concerned as what you are. I love being at home too.It's so nice to know there are others who feel just like I do!

[Mom23boys]

I am glad you are enjoying staying at home. Sounds like you are able to save more by being home by cooking from scratch, etc.

[Marie78]

I am sorry to hear about your daughter's husband too. I hope someday to be a SAHM. I love being at home organizing the coupons, menu planning, keeping up with the cleaning and laundry and making sure the budget is on track. I have been home for the last 5 months looking for employment and it's given me such a great opportunity to concentrate on all things frugal that I absolutely love doing! I have had a chance to catch up on my reading and I am even learning how to knit now too.

[MOMMYDEAREST]

i love being a sahm. wow sorry to hear about your daughter & son-in-law. i'm 28 also, that really hits close to home knowing their ages are close to mine.

[lilk]

Sorry for the loss of you son in law. I'm sending prayers for you daughter and children. Its nice that you could be their at her time of need.

[movaly1]

I'm so sorry to hear about your son-in-law.

Today is my first day as a SAHM actually. I have been wanting to be one since ds (now 2.5 was born) but I was the breadwinner and dh was SAHD. Now we are able to switch roles and I am very excited to give this a try!

[GMA21]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your son-in-law & hope your dd & sons are doing well.
It is so nice to be a sahm as I also enjoyed being one while raising my daughter.

[yankeegal]

So sorry to hear about your SIL-your family will be in my prayers.
I am glad you were able to be there for your daughter.