• Friday, June 1, 2007 - Living on one income.
I was browsing one of my absolute favorite blog sites - Homeliving Helper , and enjoyed reading the current series on Living on One Income. I thought I would put my opinions here, since they are pretty strong! :-D
I have to say that I ENJOY living on one income. Don't get me wrong, I believe that all that I do counts as income - it counts big time! Oh the money I save my family can probably equal my hubbies income at the end of a year! However, the actual family finances that come in to pay our mortgage and household bills, is the income I am referring to here.
There was a time when I worked full time and brought in a very healthy salery. (really healthy!) :-D But, truth be told, that time cannot compare to where I am right now. I realize that the life I live, being home with my kids, is the life that most moms want to live. No momma wants to leave her baby with someone else to return to work, but it is something that a lot of families feel needs to be done in order to maintain their current standard of living. I think that what most families don't realize is, that they are not doing this for the kids, they are doing it for themselves. I believe a child can have no better schooling then the one they get at home with their loving parent (as long as the parent IS schooling them). I believe that most families would be fine with 2 second hand simple cars, rather then 1 luxury car. I believe that a child is happy in their home, a loving home that is sufficient - they dont need a huge house with bells & whistles. Most kids could care less where their clothes come from, most parents care more (especially about not being seen in a thrift store!). Most families, however are not willing to make these changes in order to make it on one income.
I feel a sense of freedom since being at home. And I think that feeling is WORTH dropping one income. I love being here with my kids, concentrating my efforts on managing my home, keeping it beautiful and well functioning; knowing for sure what my child is learning in "school" (because I'm teaching her!); being a help-meet for my hubbby; and IF I feel like working to bring in something extra, I can (right here at home! hehe).
I miss nothing. My hubbby looks out for me. He makes sure that any financial need any of us has is taken care of, as long as we can honestly afford it. If I want to earn my own for pocket money, or for my own reason, he has no problem with that either. But I do not have the burden (like I used to) of worrying about how much is coming in, and how much needs to go out. Especially now that we live within our means. The peace and contentment far outwiegh the "luxuries" and stuff that used to clutter my home & my mind. I don't miss that stuff, nor do I long for them! I enjoy the peace of the country, watching my daughter play outside, laughing at the funny little chickens we used to have (and will have again one day...), first steps; first words; and the twinkle in my daughters eyes that came with them, the satisfaction of preparing a homemade meal from scratch, and the lovely feeling of coming home or having company over to a clean, cozy "homey" home. Oh, not to mention the absolute feeling of joy in knowing that we are not creating mind-numbing, gut-shattering debt that may one day bring us to tears if our situation should ever suddenly change! ( A pretty common occurance these day.)
It cannot be beat - living on one income. It forces you to see beyond modern day society's definition of success, and to live your own definition - a definition that, for me, is FAR more fulfilling!
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• Friday, June 1, 2007 - Untitled Comment