I recently quit my job as a technical support representative to be a full time stay at home mom.
Some people tell me I’m strange. Some just shake their heads as they attempt to comprehend the logic behind my decision in a time when many fear layoffs and a totally demoralizing, un-glamorous and quite feared walk down the unemployment aisle.
This decision wasn’t made lightly.
As part and parcel of this adjustment, our living arrangements have changed. Depending on whether you’re a glass half empty or glass half full type of guy, you would either say our new abode is cozy, or you might say it’s cramped. You could say that we’re committed to learning frugality, or you might think we’re making a vain attempt to effectively be cheapskates.
We found that by moving closer to my husband’s workplace and by being willing to temporarily (no more than three years) live in smaller quarters, I’d be able to be a stay at home mother, and we’d be years closer to our down payment savings goal. New York is a darn expensive state to live in, let me tell you.
If you’re contemplating leaving the workforce to be a stay at home parent, be ready for the following:
Sacrifice space for savings. Revel in living a totally feng shui’d and clutter free existence. Ikea, featuring such a large assortment of furniture for the square-footage-deprived, will be your new favorite hangout.
Stop superfluous spending. I love my Fraps, but David Bach has got it right, and while I won’t be able to cut the sweet nectar that is the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino from my diet entirely, I will be cutting down on my visits to Starbucks.
Stash your cash. We are determined to make sure that our decision gives us a happy ending. Saving is not only a priority, but now a necessity.
Savor the bonding. Last but definitely not least, I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my children.
In the end, it doesn’t have to just be about replacing lost income. It can instead be a decision of adjusting your living situation to match your existing income.
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I like the way you’ve approached this. A conscious decision to do something and a clear idea of how we are going to do it helps us be much happier.
Thank you very much! You know, whether or not folks want to admit it, downsizing is very difficult for most people, and without a strategy, it won’t be a pleasant transition.
I really like this approach! That my goal is to quit my job when I earned enough income to do what I love, which is blogging, writing, and running! I have faith that I will get there! Some people who are so used in working for someone else will never understand this approach! Thanks for sharing.
I would LOVE to be making a full time living as a full time blogger and writer as well! Great minds think alike! I’ve always envisioned myself as an entrepreneur, even if it’s just me and a few freelance writing and photography gigs.
I totally understand what you are going through. I recently quit my job for personal reasons and am a happy stay at home mom. This has enabled me to pursue interests which were once abandoned when I started working. People think I might be crazy to throw up a perfectly good job and think I might be wasting time at home watching soap operas.
I wish more people would get past their (immature) desire for status and focus on the (more mature) goal of spending time with our kids while they are still kids. Good for you!