Budgeting

One big one for me was groceries! To help with that, I plan meals once a week and go to the grocery store once a week-with a list! I've found the more I go shopping, the more unneeded items I buy. Same with Target-if you're anything like me, if it's a great sale(even if I don't need it) I buy it. That's helped a lot. And for when we go out to eat, there are so many coupons in the mail for buy one get one-that saves some money too.

There is a lot of ways you can cut money. Have the cable turned off and have basic channels, don't have a house phone and cell phone if you have both. Do buy second hand clothing and such, don't eat out, limit entertainment money, if you have car payments consider down sizing to a different less expensive vehicle.There are a lot of things you can do for either real cheap or for free. Just keep in mind that there are certain things you'll have to give up to make it work, but well worth it.Also, have you thought about maybe just having a part time job at night or through an at home venture. When I had my daughter I worked two nights a week, which at first wasn't too fond of, but after a couple of weeks it was nice to get out of the house and it gave my daughter and my husband great bonding time, especially since she's such a momma's girl. If worst comes to worse you can always go back to work or get a full time job if it isn't working out.

It's not easy! But, it also depends on what kind of money is coming in. Right now my I am the only one that works, I can not find a resonable price for daycare/babysitter or anyone that can handle my 3 children/or is responsible enough (that is why only one of is working)...I put together an Excel Spreadsheet on my computer and broke it down by each payday and what bills I was going to pay with each check. I used what my regular pay and regular hours were. I did not include my overtime at all (because it wasnt a guarantee that I would get it)..but, I bought/paid for only what was on my budget sheet and anything extra I kept around "just incase". I hope it helps.

I'm so with you. We are currently having LOTS of discussions on this topic and it's very difficult and stressful deciding what to do. I've found a lot of good articles and resources on about.com when you search "frugal living" and "stay at home mom." It looks like I have to go back to work in January when our only son will be three months old. I'm really struggling with this but am praying that it's temporary.

The biggest areas we found we could cut our budget was groceries and random weekend spending. I now cut coupons and only shop off of a list. It's starting to help.

Good luck!

J.

Use lots and lots of coupons! You also might want to see if any of the families that live around you go to sam's or costco and try buying in bulk as a group and then just split it up.

It was hard for us, but we worked it out. I would suggest getting a copy of Quicken if you don't have it already. It's a computer program that makes it really easy to keep track of your money. It itemizes expenses and it's very easy to see where you're spending extra money, helps you budget, and downloads all your transactions from your accounts. We got our copy off of eBay for $5 instead of $30-something. I keep track of the finances while my husband works and found a couple hundred extra bucks a month we were needlessly spending. Good luck- it's worth cutting daycare costs and giving your babies all the attention!!

I stay at home with my 3 kids while my husband works. We ended up finding that with certian bills, we were able to cut down on and it isn't easy all the time. Costco mainly to buy in bulk, diapers and formula, chicken, mac and cheese, etc. We use qwest for cable, phone and internet (less than 100 dollars a month), use coupons all the time, and don't buy anything unless it is really on sale. Hand me down clothes are a big help too....

T. K.

You already got some great suggestions- let's see what I can add...
My husband and I were both teachers and made about the same amount of money before I quit my job to become a SAHM 9 months ago. It is a huge change living on 1/2 the income we were used to, but I am so glad that I am the one raising my daughter!
We tried to get out of debt as much as we could before I quit. We succeeded in paying of one automobile loan and a school loan, which gave us a good $300 more in our account a month. You may have time (yeah right) to search around for better deals on car insurance, and refinancing loans as well.
As far as grocery shopping- I've been finding that generic is really just as good in most cases, buying in bulk is wise, and stocking up on good sales (only on items you actually use and need) are all beneficial.
We also have made a budget and STICK TO IT!!! When my husband gets paid I right away subtract all the bills that need to be paid, subtract gas money, our spending money, grocery money, and anything else that we need. IF there is anything left over when we get the next paycheck we decide how to spend it, or roll it over into our savings/emergency money.
Here are some websites that I have found helpful:
coolsavings.com, albuquerquecraigslist.com, freecycle.com (through yahoo groups).
One more thing, consider buying used furniture and clothing!
Hope some of this helped- good luck to you- it is doable!

I quit my job in 2003 when my son was born. That was super tough since I made slightly more money than my husband and had a great job. We moved here from California to make it work. We are pretty thrifty people but I make sure I pay all of our bills first. I use Microsoft Money to help budget and manage our money and can download all the statements, charges, etc from banks and credit cards and can log in all bills even if I haven't actually paid them yet so I know where we stand for the month. It also has all sorts of features to show you what you spend most of your money on and you can categorize expenses to keep track of what the big items are. We cook rather than eat out, I clip coupons, and take advantage of sales and stock up on items I know we use frequently. Good luck!

I wanted to comment on the grocery shopping. I didn't believe the list thing, but I heard it about two months ago and decided I would try it. I never make one because "I'll remember it all" which I do. Unfortunately, I do end up with a ton not on my list. Now with a list it reminds me to stick to that, and I usually plan out what meals I"m making for the week. That way I buy only what I need for the meals instead of "I might make this" and then I buy a lot of extra. Although when it comes to it, some things in food you can't cut. I've learned meat is pretty expensive. I buy natural meat at whole foods. I always thought it was more expensive, but in fact I pay $3.99 a pound because if you buy three pounds of ground beef at once, you save fifty cents a pound. The stuff at the grocery store or walmart is $4.29 or $4.49, and this natural meat is so much healthier. But that came from price comparisons. And I coupon clip too. :) I think all these other ideas are great. I live on a one-person income- my husband- and we manage to get by.

My husband and i are living on one income. We moved from California about 6 months ago and we both worked out there...now we have decided since we moved here that i should not work and just be there for the girls, so i am. its really not too hard, yeah okay you cant go out all the time and go shopping all the time, but the bills get paid. make sure your rent is for the check at the end of the month and your house bills in the middle of the month. If you have any credit cards or other bills that you can cut down on, do that too. its really not hard, dont stress...we've been doing this for 6 months now and all of our bills get paid and our kids have food and clothes. It always works out! if you have any other questions, just write back.

I am a stay at home mom since our baby came. It is better because the cost of child care is unreal!
Not only is it possible to do, I have even done Oprah's debt diet and we will be nearly debt free the 1st of the year! Of course we still have the mortgage & car payment, but all the credit card fees that were killing us each month will be gone. We are military and only get paid on the 1st & 15th and the check at the 1st is TIGHT, but we manage and I write down our bills and seperate them into who will get paid each payday.
For 1 whole month, I kept a log of everything I spend..even soda & coffee and made my husband do the same. You will be AMAZED on how much you spend on JUNK! We both get a little allowance each payday, and when it is gone...too bad. My hubby takes his lunch & soda to work with him and we don't go out to eat or to the movies very much... just once a month for both. But not having the debt hang over us is the BEST feeling.
go to oprah.com and check out the debt diet, it will at least help you budget. GOOD LUCK!