How much household income is enough?

[Canvas]

Even though I am an ex-teacher and many would expect me to teach my own children, the fact is, I only teach when it's necessary aka 2 weeks before major exams :spank: Other times, if DS does okay, I close both eyes. Fortunately, he does pretty okay in an average school. I am quite relaxed in many aspects because I prefer to focus on my family eating, resting well.


Although technically, I am a maid/nurse/tutor/cook, my hubby is understanding and tries to help me out as much as he can (doing laundry). He is better in Math so he settles that. I help DS with his other subjects when he needs it. I do outsource a little, like hiring a part time cleaner to come over once a week to do the dreaded ironing and cleaning the areas that I do not (windows etc). I also bought a iroomba to vacuum the floor on a daily basis. I cook most weekdays but Friday onwards, we eat out. I recently hired a Chinese tutor for DS because I tried teaching but found it too different from our days of learning the language. :nunchuk:

We are not robots and can only do so much. If I try to overachieve, I may end up being really unbalanced and losing my self-worth.

I intend to outsource a bit more once I figure out how, like getting someone to child sit for a couple of hours once in a fortnight or something so I can spend time with my Ah Lau.

[cherrygal]

Canvas:

I intend to outsource a bit more once I figure out how, like getting someone to child sit for a couple of hours once in a fortnight or something so I can spend time with my Ah Lau.

Yah, lemme know if you have a good child sitter. Would prefer to do this than disturb my old parents who cannot manage two active kids.

[Canvas]

Ok! :hi5:

[Imp75]

Just thinking aloud, we talk about mums wanting to be SAHM. Conversely if your hubby wants to be a house husband, would you allow this? None of my friends allow their husbands to do so although financially it makes sense for the hubby to stay home. I wonder if this is a perception thing? My hubby always jokingly say that he should stay home but I don’t think I will ever "approve". I can’t explain this illogical thinking, just don’t feel good that hubby is not holding down a job

[LOLMum]

i am hoping dh will quit and stay home for a few years. he has been working so hard for years and it is time for him to slow down and take a break but cant have my kit kat. :evil:


a house husband doesnt have to be for years. at least, now he can understand the things sahm does 24/7.

[Canvas]

It all boils down to who earns more and can handle the kids better. In my case, I married a traditional hardworking Chinese man who can’t cook/ do housework and he earns much more than me annually so it is a no brainer that I should stay at home instead.


My ex-teaching colleague quitted his job after his Dentist wife gave birth. It made perfect financial sense I guess.

[Oppsgal]

Imp75:

Just thinking aloud, we talk about mums wanting to be SAHM. Conversely if your hubby wants to be a house husband, would you allow this? None of my friends allow their husbands to do so although financially it makes sense for the hubby to stay home. I wonder if this is a perception thing? My hubby always jokingly say that he should stay home but I don't think I will ever \"approve\". I can't explain this illogical thinking, just don't feel good that hubby is not holding down a job

:rotflmao: If husband can do the housework well, take care of kids, wife earns more and have stable job, then why not :?

If husband do housework and wife don't think is a well maintain house, then better don't. :siam:

[Oppsgal]

toddles:

Imp75:

Yah you see, in terms of argument, I will lose because;

I can't keep the house as good as the maid
U can't teach as well so need to outsource
I can't drive so can't be a driver to kids

I might as well go outside earn money!! Maybe that's my forte! Man is so practical, there are no room for emotions involved

If he feels that way, then prob he prefers you to work. and if that's his stance, then it'd prob be an uphill journey for you to stay home.

most gals I know who decide to stay home, have very very supportive hubbies who know they are taking the harder path. and thus have very few 'demands' wrt household stuff, whether they teach/cook etc as a means of saving money. in fact, they are usually willing to factor in paying for PT cleaner, cab fare etc. the plus is having the mum at home for the children as the main caregiver.

Some are supportive to have SAHM wife, when kids are younger, then husband might become less supportive for wife to stay home, when kids start to attend school. :roll:

[peapot]

I Think take home income 10k should be comfortable. At least after paying for all the loans you will still have enough for traveling.


If take home is around 5k, it will be tight after paying loan and more so if there are 3 kids.

[nobodybutchiew]

Sorry to borrow TS’s thread. I have a related question/situation so hope I can hear some people’s opinion.


My wife and I are both still working, she’s 14 weeks pregnant now. It’s been a tough 1st trimester, and hopefully her symptoms will improve. However, she’s not optimistic and feels dread when she’s going to work. As such she’s thinking about quitting and just wants to focus on giving birth. I empathise with her and wish that I could give her a good life too, but my take home salary is about $3,800.

Furthermore, our new flat is coming about the same time as the baby. So the costs of baby stuff and renovation will all be coming at the same time. We have savings about $30k, but dunno will it be enough anot.

Of course, the health and happiness of my wife and baby is top priority, but at the back of my mind i’m also thinking, if she can just hold out until she gives birth, it will help so much! Women are entitled to like 4 months maternity leave and get paid to rest! It’s like free money…

Has anyone been in this situation before? What was the final choice you made and how did you cope?