“We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like.”
Are you a stay-at-home parent? Managing the family’s finances frequently falls into overall household management. We spoke with Geezeo member Amber Jones about what it’s like to balance the books. How does she do it juggling all the other important tasks of managing a household? What are some challenges?
Whether or not you are a stay-at-home parent, many of us can relate to the myriad of other life distractions that can keep us from being focused on our budgets.
Amber, where do you live?
I live in the little town of Selma, North Carolina.
I understand you have two sons. How old are they?
Hayden is a 3 year old and Braxton is a year old.
You must have your hands full! Are you the primary bookkeeper at your home?
Yes, I take care most of it (like budgeting where money should go and then actually making the payments),and then my husband, well, he is in on it. I show him what the plan is for the paycheck, and then after pay day, I show him what we have left and why.
Was that a decision you and your husband planned, or did it just happen?
When we were dating, I made it very clear to him that I would not allow us to have the same…â€?issuesâ€? that he was having on his own (e.g, bounced checks). So once we were married, it was kind of a “plannedâ€? thing that I would take over, meaning, he knew it was an inevitable consequence of marrying me. LOL.
What’s been the biggest adjustment managing your own finances compared to when you were single or childless?
Well, before I married my husband, I lived at home, so I didn’t have many bills (car payment, insurance). So I blew most of my money on just “thingsâ€? – non-essentials. So I guess I didn’t really think about it. Before the boys were around, we could go out and eat, and do “extrasâ€? – like bowling, or going to the movies, even paying for others, like my husband’s little brother and sister, and let them tag along. It was fun. But once the boys were here, that all changed. We couldn’t be as “socialâ€?.
What are some financial challenges stay-at-home parents face?
Well, for us, the big thing is that we are trying to stay balanced. We want to give the boys what they need. You know, not running out there trying to buy them the best name-brand clothes, or high tech gadgets. We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like. So we have to stay as frugal as possible with some things.
We know that if I were to go outside of our home to try to find a job, the income may be just enough to cover child-care for the two boys, so I couldn’t imagine spending that much time away from them if it isn’t really going to benefit us that much. I posted in a group not too long ago either about how it is hard dealing with friends who don’t have to be as frugal since they are just a couple, both working.
What’s some advice or coping mechanisms you’d recommend to other stay-at-home parents who manage kids and the household cashflow?
Well, I recommend not trying to “buy� your kids happiness, for sure! They are just happy that mommy and daddy are taking care of them. As long as the family is happy and healthy, and you have a roof over your head, and clothes on your back, and your belly’s full, then money doesn’t matter anyway. Money really can’t buy happiness.
But outside of that, you have the real world to pay for, and here recently, one of the best things I have come across is learning to be a “coupon mom�. It takes time and patience. You have to be willing to sit down and read the sales papers. But it all pays off in the end. I have been able to find some really good deals.
Anything else?
I love, love, love Geezeo, and I think it is a great tool to help keep everyone – from single, to married, to parents – on top of what’s going on. It’s a great way to help keep yourself focused and aware of where you are. Things happen, and changes may come your way. But I read somewhere once that you should keep your goals the same, because the road to getting there is where there should be flexibility because of the unexpected road blocks.
Amber, great closing statement. You can’t predict life but you can make the best adjustments given your options. Planning ahead can help and clearly you’re on the path to doing just that. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us and share your personal experience.
I encourage all of you out there to join Amber in her group, Financially Frugal Families. Drop her a line with your own suggestions on managing the dual challenges of a running a family household and a family’s budget.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
[...] Getting Hippier wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWhen we were dating, I made it very clear to him that I would not allow us to have the same…â€?issuesâ€? that he was having on his own (e.g… [...]
February 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Hey Amber, Thanks for a great interview and all the kind words. Flattery will get you everywhere
March 13th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Been to Pattaya City a couple of times now, first time was in May 2002, then back at New Year 2009. What a awesome holiday place! It provides for everyone: if your looking for cozy Thai people there is masses of them, if you want well-thought-of thai food there is plenty and night life is brilliant. If you want a cheap holiday, you can have it – if you need a pricey vacation, you can have it also. My mom is totally in love with the place and has just bought into a massage shop over there. My kids love it as well. What a great place to celebrate Christmas!