How I Can Afford To Be A Stay At Home Mom

Posted on by Caylene
There are four major ways that I save enough money every month to be a stay at home mom: breastfeeding, parental child care, using cloth diapers, and swapping baby clothes with other moms. I’ll explain why being a stay at home mom makes more sense than me working full time. We’ll even discuss what my routine looks like because of staying at home (reality check). There are more than ten things listed in this post that can save you enough money to be a stay home with your little one too.

 

PERSPECTIVE || I live in the Seattle Washington area, taxes and child care is at an all-time high right now. My baby is currently three months old now. And I would much rather work from home than have a 9-5 job. Because ULTIMATELY, I want to be the one to raise my child. I also am just that type of person, I like independence and I’ve always preferred to run my own show. I never was one to enjoy working in a career for a big company. And I never went to college to learn a specific trade either.

 

?‍?‍? #CJ || she is currently 16 weeks old.

being a stay at home mom

Parental Child Care

 

Child care costs can vary depending on the number of hours a child is watched, age, and whether we’re talking about childcare outside of the parents or family members. On average child care costs about $12,000 a year in Washington (and we have some of the highest rates here). So that’s between $800-$1000 a month (sometimes more). That’s a little less than what I pay for rent!

I’m lucky that I have a number of family members who are more than willing to help me with CJ! In fact, they will be fighting over babysitting opportunities as she gets older. I’m working on creating a rotational weekly schedule so that she can see and socialize with all of our family members.
Being a stay at home mother is a full-time job for me. But when there is a need for babysitting, I’m covered.

 

I can afford to be a stay at home mom and because I spend $0 on childcare per month.

I’m saving about $1000 a month, or $12,000 a year.

 

Cloth Diapers

You can read about how and why I use cloth diapers exclusively. I spent about $300 on my ? Cloth Diapers and ? Diaper Cleaning Supplies, which is a little less than what some families pay per month for their disposable diapers! (Actually let’s be honest, I spent nothing. my Moms had me covered. My mom bought me my first three packs of six, and my Mother In Law got brand new “hand me downs” from a friend, adding another 16 diapers to my 18.)  These are diapers that will adjust to her as she grows via snap buttons.

SO! I will not have to buy any other diapers, ever. 

I DO spend about $15 every 3 months on unsented and organic laundry detergent. I whopping $60 a year.

 

I can afford to be a stay at home mom because I spend $0 per month on diapers.
I’m saving about $200 a month, or $2400 a year.

 

Breastfeeding

 

I was lucky enough to be gifted a $300 double pump and did not have to purchase one myself (even though I mostly hand express to be honest). You can read all about my Breastfeeding Journey so far, and you’ll learn about how I am an under producer of breast milk. So I do supplement with formula. I currently feed her 70% of her meals with breastfed milk. That means about 30% of her meals are formula fed by bottle. (? I use Avent Bottles & Nipples for my baby, and I love them. They didn’t mess with our latch at all and she can feed very easily with their amazing design.)

 

According to other posts found on the internet, exclusively formula fed baby formula costs $1700 a year, that’s about $140 a month. If I do the math based off of my 30% formula meals, that would be $40. And I feel that that’s really close to accurate! I spent $33 on formula this month.

 

I can afford to be a stay at home mom because I spend $0 on breastfeeding.
I only spend about $40 a month on formula. But I’m still saving about $100 a month, or $1200 a year.

 

“Baby Stuff Swap” Events

 

GETTING TO KNOW ME || I’m a very social person. I have multiple roommates, at our wedding we had over 250 people attend (and another 100 that couldn’t make it to our three-day wedding party in the woods). We have a huge group of people we have called friends since high school. I’m surrounded by family and friends constantly. I greatly enjoy throwing events and birthday parties and the like…

 

What are “baby stuff swap” events?

 

During my late pregnancy, after my baby shower, I got this idea. ☝ I’ll host these Baby Stuff Swaps at my house where I invite all the moms that live nearby (over 20 moms) over to swap stuff. Everything from baby clothes to baby gear to supplies unused during postpartum. I plan these events every 3-4 months and it has turned out to be a huge success! ?

 

I don’t have to spend any money on baby clothes or gear! ? I always accept hand me downs. And the Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook have been helpful as well for things that I couldn’t get my hands on from friends. I have spent about $30 on toys at a Goodwill so far and I have everything I need until she’s about a year old covered by throwing these mommy parties!

 

I can afford to be a stay at home mom because I spend $0 on baby stuff.This is because I’m willing to host events, accept hand me downs and I have many supportive friends.

I’m saving at least $100 every three months, at minimum $1000 a year. But honestly, it’s more like $100 per month because of other care supplies needed to care for the baby.

 

How much I really saving every month?
Why don’t you just get a job already?

 

With that said, can you understand how I can be a stay at home mom? The bottom line is, I really can’t afford to NOT be! Let’s compare.

NOT A Stay At Home Mom Monthly Expenses:

Child Care $1000 + Disposable Diapers $200 + Formula Fed $140 + Clothing & Supplies ~$100

= $1,400 a month + Rent & Other Expenses

= $16,800 a year + Rent & Other Expenses

 

 

 

I would have to make $1,400 every month after taxes with a full-time job JUST to pay for my child’s needs. ? As I do not have any college degree or trade learned, I am limited to how much of an income I can make. It would take me longer than Raising my child to establish a career at a company.

 

 

What it looks like to be a stay at home mom every day…

 

Staying at home with my baby is the biggest blessing in the world. To be able to watch her grow and help her develop her skills. I get to see all the milestones my baby has reached. ?

 

My day consists of taking care of my baby, maintaining all of the house chores and finding the time to run this blog. I can only do this by keeping a steady daily routine and weekly schedule. It’s not easy to balance all the roles in life that I play.

 

I’m not only a mother but a wife, a friend, a family member and photographer. ? Finding time for my friends and family is a priority for me as well! I try very hard to accommodate a life of purpose, organization, and financial security. But I really do manage to find the time for them too. Especially my husband. I believe that prioritizing my marriage above my child, is most beneficial to everyone in the long run. And I really am in it for the long haul with him. (Post coming soon about my thoughts on this…)

 

I Couldn’t Be A Stay At Home Mom Without Help

 

I have the most loving and supportive husband to build my life with. Thankfully he has been willing to work a full-time job to support us by paying the rent, utilities, food, medical, automotive and all the other expenses of living. We still struggle to make ends meet every month. Our goal is to build up this very blog enough by 2019 to get out of debt. Our ultimate goal is to produce enough income from blogging to support us both by the time CJ is ready to be homeschooled. It has always been a dream of his to homeschool his child. This means that I will need to be able to take over all financial stability by blogging by 2021 (at the latest).

Thank you for supporting this blog as it is going to bring us into our dream life!

Other Ways I Save Money Being A Stay At Home Mom:

  • Passive incomes such as Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars
  • I play the Lucktastic app, because why not! It is legit! (+)
  • Low-income discounts such as Electricity & Food programs (ever heard of Imperfect Produce (+)?)
  • Couponing
  • Eating at home for breakfast, lunch, and dinner vs. fast food or other dining restaurants frequently (date night is 1-2 a month)
  • Avoiding (too many) battery operated toys
  • Limit entertainment to affordable options (such as camping) versus expensive vacations (such as Disneyland)
  • Keeping a baby registry open and live for loved ones to avoid unused gifts and expenses (for them and for us)

 

 

I hope you can easily see how all this completely justifies me to be a stay at home mom blogger. I love being home with CJ and have no desire whatsoever to change that. I’m loving life, to say the very least.
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Resources

(+) Imperfect Produce: https://www.imperfectproduce.com/ || They sell the “ugly” fruits and veggies that are turned down by big stores and companies and sells them at a seriously low price!

(+) Lucktastic App Review by Penny Hoarder: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/lucktastic-reviews/ || A scratch ticket game in which you can win real monty. I currently have about $20 earned on there, but I promised myself I’d wait until $100 to cash out. I’ve been playing off and on, very randomly for about six months.

 

Swagbucks: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/leebeeinbox || I will earn $3 if you use my link to sign up with Swagbucks, which is the best site for surveys, watching ads and clicking through sites to earn cash rewards. I usually open Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars and turn on the videos in the background and walk away. I earn a little extra money every month by doing this. Free money doesn’t get any easier.

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