Comments on: Step 3: Realizing It’s Not Just About the Paycheck

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:06:04 +0000

Could you purchase a smaller amount of life insurance? Life insurance is a replacement for income; since you're not making any, your husband would only need money to cover burial costs, medical costs, and daycare. Also check out bundling – it can be cheaper. Like call your car, rental, or home insurance company – they might also sell life and will give you a discount since you already have an account.

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:35:08 +0000

@Anonymous – Thanks for the comment. I have heard similar stories from other stay-at-home moms who said their marriages failed and they had no career to fall back. Although I love my husband I am concerned about this as well.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:08:12 +0000

Here is a true story from the other side: I decided to stay home about three years ago after my second child was born. I had an excellent job with benefits that I quit. I had the support of my husband to quit. Immediately after I quit however, my husband changed drastically and began drinking heavily. His business, once lucrative, went into the toilet. We got divorced in October and now I am a single mother of two small kids working a job that is a lot worse than the one I had before. If anyone had ever told me this would happen, I'd never have believed it. My husband was a great guy! So, do whatever pleases you, I am just offering a flip side. If I could go back in time, I'd have kept my job. It is harder to get a decent job after a gap, and marriages change. If you do quit, try to keep ties to people in the working world and keep your skills current in some way.

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:01:04 +0000

@Serendipity - I'm glad I can help.

@Cindy Brick - I am trying to find other avenues of income and possible part time work.

@Mrs. Pinchpenny - Health care does seem to be the big hurdle for us. Not only paying for it, but also making certain that it's good care! Did you get a job just for the insurance?

@WorkingMom - Thanks for the suggestions. I plan to check out all of them!

By: WorkingMom

WorkingMom — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:42:38 +0000

Check into the local Better Business Bureau, Rotary, and other groups to see if you can get a group insurance rate. My friend's husband owns his own plumbing business and they got a policy that covered big stuff with higher deductibles. Another friend (single mom with own business) got a group policy through her college alumni group.

As for life insurance, try SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance) - they tend to have the cheapest rates. If you can't stay home full-time, maybe something from home or part-time would give you enough to cover the insurance. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it!

By: Mrs Pinchpenny

Mrs Pinchpenny — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:17:14 +0000

So true.

The healthcare issue is a huge factor and was an overwhelming reason I got an extra job last year. I hope you can work it out in your future to protect yourself and your children.

By: Cindy Brick

Cindy Brick — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:42:01 +0000

It's never been the money...though I've heard people announce they're not going to have children because 'it costs too much.' And there are all these horror surveys that just prove you'd be hundreds of thousands of dollars better off, if only you'd reproduce.
None of that really matters, does it?
I keep wondering if there's some middle ground here -- whether you could freelance, or work part-time, to keep your hand in your field. Yet you could still largely stay at home with your little guy.
I quit working for a newspaper at Daughter #1's birth, but kept freelance writing. Then I started working for a magazine when Daughter #2 was four. (It was 'part time:' 37 hours, but done in four long days.)
I was lucky to have a good friend who was a teacher to babysit them -- but occasionally they came into the office with me, and stayed underneath my desk, drawing and reading. They were so quiet that nearly everyone didn't even realize they were there. (It helped to work in an office of nearly all women, who understood about Extenuating Circumstances now and then.)
Someone with your obvious talent shouldn't have to make it All or Nothing -- there's got to be a middle ground in there somewhere. And that situation can change, as your son grows.

By: Serendipity

Serendipity — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:01:31 +0000

It's amazing how much more can factor into someone not working than not bringing in money anymore. Thanks for showing us.