Yes, You CAN Afford to Stay
at Home with Your Kids
By Jenny Wanderscheid ~ http://www.childfun.com
What do you mean you can't
afford to stay home with your kids? Sorry, I don't believe it. I used to
believe, but not anymore. Here are some helpful tips and major life
changing strategies to allow you the power to stay home with your kids.
I used to think we needed a second car. You really don't. Right there,
look at all the money you save. Look at your monthly budget and subtract
a car payment, insurance, gas, and maintenance. WOW. That is a nice
chunk of change right there.
Maybe you need to ease into
it? Okay, let's look at your grocery bill. Do you use coupons, if not,
why? Buy things in bulk. Look at prices. Shop at warehouse places like
Sam's and you can save hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill per
year. I know you don't NEED 20 pounds of hamburger right now, but when
you can buy it for the same price of 10 pounds wrapped in
individually, then it is worth it! Buy generic whenever possible. Don't
be a snob, try it out. 90% of the time, they taste the same. The only
generic things I won't buy are paper products and lasagna noodles. For
some reason, those just aren't as good. Find what you like and you can
save hundreds of dollars here.
What about vacations? Do you
fly to Disneyworld each year? Get real. What do you think will make a
bigger impact on your children in the long run, the fact that you blew a
ridiculous amount of money to take a 4 day vacation, or that you were
there for them, day after day, week after week, smile after smile, tear
after tear? This summer we scraped and saved and scrimped and we are
driving to Canada to go fishing for a week. Living on one income doesn't
mean you can't live well. You just live different.
As for general entertainment,
instead of expensive movie theaters and fast food joints, go buy a kite
and make sandwiches and have a picnic in the park. Go for a walk. Ride
your bike through the park. Go to art galleries, museums and zoos. Most
of these are free or have family discount days. With cutting back
a little in your daily routines, and making major changes like cutting
out a vehicle, you CAN stay home with your kids. Now with the internet,
computers and technology, there are a lot of legitimate work at home mom
jobs as well if you really need extra money to get by. Check out http://www.wahm.com for
a list.
Obviously, I am referring to
two income families here, so please don't write asking "What about
single moms?" For single moms, there are lots of other careers that
can be done at home. Daycare is the first to come to mind.
Jenny Wanderscheid is
a 29 year old WAHM and the creator of the ChildFun.com
( http://www.childfun.com
) Parenting Website. Her and her husband Rick are raising their
three children with laughter and love in Southern Minnesota.
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