What is the reasonable HHI income for wife to stay home?

[Anonymous]

I think it’s actually the other way around for most people. There is an income below which it doesn’t make sense for both parents to be working. If one or both parents is making less than probably $40 or $50k a year, financial whoever makes the least should stay home.

At the higher ends, it’s all personal preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just asked my husband this question - he said 400k.

Tell him to get a better job then.

He makes 600k as a W2. But thanks for the snark.

To be fair, your husband’s response was ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did it with $150K and three kids in NoVA.

We’re doing it on a bit less with three kids. I earned a little more before I decided to SAH, so I know it helped that we had a solid retirement and other savings built off of two incomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the number different from what would be required for a husband to stay home?

No, but I wouldn't sponsor him to stay home either. Sexism is quirky that way. He would be more than happy if i stayed home, but I dont want to be a SAHM.

OP our household number would be ~200k if our wealth is exactly the same. That would maintain our current living standards with zero impact.

[Anonymous]

When you stop relying on one of the incomes, even for reasonable savings goals. I quit when, at the end of the year, we had my entire post-tax income sitting in a checking account. For us that was when DH was making $600k but obviously that’s going to be different for anyone.

[Anonymous]

What are your expenses? What is your debt? It is impossible to answer this without knowing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is DCUM so focused on HHI when most of this sub claims to have endless piles of family wealth?

Income is for poors.

You mean earned income?

[Anonymous]

No private schools, $400k.

[Anonymous]

$150 for us. One kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$150 for us. One kid.

Must add - 11 yr old kid in private and many activities and one big trip. But first we paid off cars and home and had $1M in retirement. House worth $800k. 529 is about $200k. I retired at 45 last year. DH will retire in 12 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just asked my husband this question - he said 400k.

I make 400K and my husband won't quit working. Life would be so much better for all of us if he would. (he makes 150; we don't need it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$150 for us. One kid.

Must add - 11 yr old kid in private and many activities and one big trip. But first we paid off cars and home and had $1M in retirement. House worth $800k. 529 is about $200k. I retired at 45 last year. DH will retire in 12 years.

You are role model.

[Anonymous]

500k

[Anonymous]

My DH makes about 320k and I could SAH on this. I make 250k and he could SAH on my income as well. However it would greatly hamper our financial goals.

[Anonymous]

We did it with his income 300k, for a few years. Now I'm back at work!