Friday, June 3, 2011

The Cost

If I had a dollar for everytime I heard someone say, "I wish my husband made more money so I could stay at home like you," or "You don't understand.  We just don't make the money your family does," I'd be loaded!  These comments crack me up every time, because I'm fairly certain these people would hide in a hole if they knew our monthly bring home total.  Don't get me wrong.  We are blessed.  For most people in this world, we are considered rich.  Heck, if you live in a home with running water, you are considered rich.

I really laugh at these comments, because even though I didn't say them out loud, I had those same thoughts before I stayed at home.  I specifically remember asking my SAHM friends how they did it.  When they'd tell me all their different ways, I'd still think, "Yeah, but their husbands must bring home bank."  Now I'm on the other side.  So today I want to talk about the cost to our lifestyle.  I realize some of you may or may not be interested in taking the measures we do, but it works for us.  If anything, I hope you realize that there is a cost to everything whether through sacrifice or money.  Things cost. So here's a little secret to our financial life...
  • We eat out about 3 times a month.  Before we used to eat out at least 10 times a month.  At about $20/meal we save $140 a month.
  • I scrutinize my grocery/household goods list each week to keep it around $75-85.  Before I spent around $150/week.  That's a savings of about $300/month.  Couponing is not for everyone, but a few hours a week (if that) of my time is worth a $300 monthly savings.
  • Every purchase we make is researched for the best price.  For example, we just purchased tires for my car.  If I had accepted the first price I was given, I would have lost money without even knowing it.  Instead, Steven called around for prices of other tire stores in our area.  Once he found the best price, he then called back the place we wanted to do the job and asked if they would match the price.  They did.  $150 saved.  We do this for everything.
  • Up until last weekend, we didn't have data plans on our phones {Gasp}.  Steven does now, but I don't. $20/month saved.
  • We don't have extra movie channels or DVR {another gasp}.  Another $20/month.
  • We both drive older cars.  Steven's truck is a 2004 and I drive a 2006.  We plan on driving them until the wheels fall off or we need a bigger car. No car payments=BIG SAVINGS.
  • About every 6 months I review our bills to make sure we are getting the current deals and savings.  Sometimes our bills remain the same, but other times I find a way to get it lowered.
I realize some of you would never want to do what we have done.  I totally understand that.  Others of you make even bigger sacrifices to make your ends meet.  I salute you.  I wish I could completely drop cable, but I just can't.  Even though we watch very little TV, I still like the option to surf through channels.  I do not like to watch shows online.  I will, but prefer not to.  The cost of cable is worth it to us.  However, the cost of DVR is not.  It's all about what conveniences you are willing to pay and what you're not. 

I am SUPER curious to know what you find crazy about my list and what things you do without that ARE on my list.  Other people's lives fascinate me, so tell, tell, tell, and then tell some more! What can I say?  I'm nosy.

4 comments:

Ashley said...

I wonder if the women that said "I wish my husband made more money" ever even considered that their husband wished they could stay home with the kids and SHE made more money. Probably not. Anyway, I don't find anything on your list is crazy. I would like to know if you started working on reducing your cost of living before you quit working or after.

Michael said...

Basically, this is called "living within your means". It isn't easy to do in this country because we are surrounded by so much excess and privilege that we feel "entitled" to have a bunch of stuff that we truly don't need. A long time ago I got the wake-up call of a lifetime when I discovered the single most important principle to finances: Every dollar we ever earn is a gift from God. It's not our money, it's His and we don't deserve, nor are we entitled to a single penny. We are authorized by Him to spend His money wisely. Only by His grace are we allowed to spend some on ourselves. Once I got this concept thru my head 2 things happened: (1) My financial picture began to improve dramatically. (2) I no longer felt financial pressure to buy stuff because I "owned" no money - I was simply managing God's money. One day when I stand before Him I don't want to say, "God, I'm really sorry I spent so much of your money on crap I didn't really need". I know, this sounds real preachy and this might not be the most appropriate place to share my personal beliefs. But I also know that there are thousands of young families out there wondering what financial changes they can make in order to keep one parent home with their kids. Well, this is the place to start. Understanding where your money comes from, who really owns it, and what your true financial responsibilies are will change your life and the lives of your children. Amanda, I know that you and Steven know this and this is why you have been so blessed.

Jamie said...

I couldn't agree more with all of this! I will happily do without expensive purses and other material things in order to stay home with my kids. I feel that for this season of life, it's where I'm called to be. My career was perfect for me as a young, single professional and newlywed; however, I became a mama and everything I used to think was important, just isn't anymore. I've never been happier and more content. I'm learning more about couponing and utilizing it and am already seeing the savings. Thank you for being so helpful in that area! You're a great friend :)

Alice said...

I think you are rich because YOU get to stay home. You guys found a way to make that option work.

Unfortunately, in my situation, I carry the insurance and I make a lot more money at my job. Almost 2x a month more. I have paid vacation days, Holidays, and sick days. He doesn't. He does work harder physically though. I sit at a desk. Inside an office. With extrememly cold AC in the summer.