Financial Value of SAHM Services

[Anonymous]

I was debating with a friend recently about the economic value of SAHMs. I believe we provide services worth at least 100k in real economic terms.

What does dcum have to say about it? What's your hhi cutoff for sahm?

[Anonymous]

From an economic POV, you are worth the cost of daycare or nanny, plus the cost of a cleaning lady and perhaps the cost savings of not ordering in periodically, all of which should be trued up for taxes.

So say about $36,000 for the nanny, maybe $2,000 for the cleaning lady and $2,000 for the not eating out as often (since presumably as a SAHM you'd cook more frequently than if you worked). Call it $40,000 post tax or worth about $60,000 post tax.

That value goes down as the kids get older and can clean for themselves and don't require full time 50 hour a week childcare.

Economically speaking I'd say $60k for the first 7 years, $40k thereafter.

[Anonymous]

Then how much does a working mom who is also primary parent provide? I do food cooking cleaning laundry drop offs night wakes baths organizing and playing, schedule everything and plan. And I am the main breadwinner. So my services would be another $22 per hour for all that work, plus my salary.

It's an asinine little game. It's worth what you are willing to exchange for it.

[Anonymous]

There's all the individual services and then there is the need to manage them (monitoring the cost and quality of service, finding new providers, coordinating between functions). Figure on adding 20% for management.

My wife is a SAHM and I make about $60k/year. If she worked we'd cobble together some array of aftercare, shared child-rearing, leaning on relatives/friends and simply scraping by from day to day in a messy house. In our context, the economic value of her being a SAHM is more like $10k. Maybe less. (Good thing she's not doing it for the money)

[Anonymous]

Depends - some SAHMs are amazing team players who contribute immeasurably to running an efficient house & furthering their spouses career ... Others are lazy whiners who have filthy homes & buy useless crap all day.

[Anonymous]

This is so crass that I am shocked.

[Anonymous]

I am a mom who gave birth to two kids. I think my DH values these kids above everything he owns and he will earn in a lifetime. So, basically - my value is - priceless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends - some SAHMs are amazing team players who contribute immeasurably to running an efficient house & furthering their spouses career ... Others are lazy whiners who have filthy homes & buy useless crap all day.

DH, is that you posting on DCUM? Sorry - you can pick up your own dry cleaning.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. I choose not to work but if I did, I would still have to cook, clean, drive, bathe the kids, etc. the difference is I have far more time which I appreciate. If anything you compare it to a nanny who makes 1/3 of that. V

[Anonymous]

Worth at least the cost of daycare plus the food difference.

When I was WOHM, if we didn't spend more on food (because we couldn't) the food was worse - more convenience foods, more carbs, etc. Now I'm at home and cooking from scratch, able to cook more time-consuming but nutritionally superior and flavorful meals.

Also, as a SAHM with a limited budget, I am responsible for creating my kids "activities."

We do not pay for Kumon or other stuff like that. My son takes piano, and because I SAH and DS gets to come home earlier, he is able to fully commit to it and I have the time and energy to facilitate properly. During the summer we work on music a lot and also do other big projects I know would not be possible if I worked.

DS is progressing very rapidly in music, while other kids we know with 2 WOH parents and busy schedules are hardly moving forward at all. Total first world problem and I know playing an instrument is not a goal for most people, but it's a cool perk.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say because a lot of SAHMs who I know do it because their husbands make a lot of $$$. So they SAH in style with cleaning ladies, nannies, preschool, lots if shopping, etc. Pretty sure the financial worth of their "service" would be negative, lol. But they can afford it, clearly, so why shouldn't they hire help?

[Anonymous]

LOL.

So, is this being asked so that SAHMs will be paid $60 K for doing their job?

I am willing to take $58 for just child care and nannying. DH can find someone to clean and run the house for $2K.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the SAHP. I really couldn't put a monetary value on it. It's more a matter of resource utilization within a family.

[Anonymous]

Add in college counseling and putting them on path to Ivy. I would add another $75 K.

Taking care of kids mental and physical health - maybe $100 an hour. So, 365 days * $100

Never mind - too expensive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a mom who gave birth to two kids. I think my DH values these kids above everything he owns and he will earn in a lifetime. So, basically - my value is - priceless.

And that is related to staying home how?