If your spouse is local law enforcement and you SAHM, how do you make it, financially?

[Anonymous]

This isn't a sarcastic question. I'm being serious b/c my DH works for a local county law enforcement department and I'd love to quit or go part-time on my job but I ran the #'s and don't think we can do it. I make almost double than my DH does and if I quit he'd have to add health insurance so it would even be less take home pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make almost double than my DH does and if I quit he'd have to add health insurance so it would even be less take home pay.

Me too. I guess SAH is not in the stars for me, the financial implications would be dramatic

[Anonymous]

Why doesn't he SAH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't a sarcastic question. I'm being serious b/c my DH works for a local county law enforcement department and I'd love to quit or go part-time on my job but I ran the #'s and don't think we can do it. I make almost double than my DH does and if I quit he'd have to add health insurance so it would even be less take home pay.

So you would cut your income by more than 2/3rds? Not sure who, besides the super rich, can ever afford to do that without moving to a significantly cheaper area of the country.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, they basically live off of the wife's inherited money.

[Anonymous]

Why is being law enforcement relevant here? It's pure numbers, plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is being law enforcement relevant here? It's pure numbers, plain and simple.

Because maybe there's a secret for cop WAGs.

[Anonymous]

My husband is federal law enforcement and I stay at home. However, I only made about 1/3 of what he does so it was much easier for us.

[Anonymous]

I work because I make more.

But... the ones that I know that don't work, live in the exburbs and the H works multiple part time jobs or has a business on the side and their kids never see him... kind of like being married to a big law guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't he SAH?

+ a million. You are the breadwinner, OP. The person with the crappy salary is the one who stays home in this situation. It's a no-brainier.

[Anonymous]

Realistically not every family can have a stay at home parent. If the numbers don't work, they don't work.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Spouse would not want to stay at home. I guess it doesn't matter the job, just thought I'd ask b/c unfortunately local/county law enforcement officers are underpaid for the work/sacrifices they make and was wondering if/how a family could make it work if one parent SAH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Spouse would not want to stay at home. I guess it doesn't matter the job, just thought I'd ask b/c unfortunately local/county law enforcement officers are underpaid for the work/sacrifices they make and was wondering if/how a family could make it work if one parent SAH.

The good thing about law enforcement is that they can move to practically anywhere in the country and find work in their field. If you want to stay home, you guys have more flexibility than most to move to a cheaper area.

[Anonymous]

My brother is on the fire department and his wife stays at home but its not because of his department pay. He and 3 other guys started a painting business that they all do on their off days. They have a rotating schedule and they each basically paint anywhere from 6-9 days a month. This pay has succeeded his department pay by 30 percent. Its not uncommon for police and fire to have side jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Spouse would not want to stay at home. I guess it doesn't matter the job, just thought I'd ask b/c unfortunately local/county law enforcement officers are underpaid for the work/sacrifices they make and was wondering if/how a family could make it work if one parent SAH.

The good thing about law enforcement is that they can move to practically anywhere in the country and find work in their field. If you want to stay home, you guys have more flexibility than most to move to a cheaper area.

But they lose senority, have to go to training again and pensions don't transfer.