Hello ladies, I wanted to get some advice on this issue although I know in the end the decision is mine.. I have wanted to be a SAHM for some time and finally decided to take the plunge and then they announced the recession so know I am having doubts. DH has a good job but is in the I/T field, which always seems to take a hit when the economy turns. He has been at his current job for a little over a year. Prior to that, he was at the same job for 15+ years but got let go due to restructuring. On the other hand, I have a secure professional job so I am wondering if I would be crazy to give it up now although I have not been truly happy at work in months. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

This is a tough choice for anyone to make. I had issues in figuring out if we could afford the extra expences (insurance, Diapers, food) Still for me I weighed it with the cost of working. $800 in day care, $200 Commuting, $100 formula (I nursed). So my take home was $1500 and I would get to have $400 extra a month and it wasn't worth it to me.

Another big thing was my job was not in a field I wanted to go back to. There is cost involved in trying to re-enter the work force in some fields.

I like to look at it this way you may end up giving up things and tightening your budget but will you ever regret spending time with your children. Will you ever be able to do over and go back and have that time if you continue to work.

Sometimes our dreams that are not right for us finacially can be right for the family.
I really liked doing the FTJ Dreams Exercise because it made me realize that there are more important dreams then paying off debt, having a bigger home or a career.

__________________
Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

You're right, only you can make the decision. But maybe you could compromise and postpone the decision a bit. Maybe keep working for a few more months, but pretend like you're just living on dh's salary. Put ALL of your salary into savings/investments. Then after a few months if his job still looks secure you could quit and would have a nest egg to fall back on if times got tough. Just a thought.

__________________

This is what I did. Well we did it for 10 months. We lived off my hubby's income and put all mine towards expenses we don't have now (like extra gasoline, lunches out, etc) and the rest into savings. If it works out for you then you know it will work when you're home PLUS you'll have the extra savings if something were to happen to your DH's job. Good luck in what ever you decide.

This is what I would absolutely reccommend...I wish I had done it before I became a SAHM.

Good luck with your decision!

__________________

i would live off one income for a few months. Also make sure you have a 6-8 month emergency fund that could cover all expenses.

good luck