s/o - Financial value of a WOHM

[Anonymous]

If someone wants to outsource everything a SAHM does and the cost comes to only about 100K (or lets say 60 K), then not making at least that amount as a WOHM would be considered a failure?

What do you think a WOHM should earn for it to be worthwhile?

[Anonymous]

Well I think you have to also factor in the financial benefit of retirement savings, health benefits, etc. We are on my fed gov. health insurance because it's way better than DH's private sector insurance. Also, once our kids are in school and do not need childcare, I can continue to contribute to our family financially without having left the workplace. So I think you need to consider the lost opportunity cost that a WOHM doesn't endure by providing early childcare.

Plus, WOHMs often do cooking, cleaning, etc. so really I consider my value to be my income + long term earning potential + retirement savings/healthcare minus the cost of childcare, which puts my family significantly ahead of where we'd be if I SAH.

And I have a flexible work from home job, so I don't lose a ton of time away from home and can take breaks as needed to get stuff done around the house, sign for packages, get dinner prepped, etc.

I don't know that I can quantify my financial value except to say it works for my family. I am an attorney and my ability to contribute financially to my family is such an asset right now. Other families may have different earning potentials, so they should do what works best for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well I think you have to also factor in the financial benefit of retirement savings, health benefits, etc. We are on my fed gov. health insurance because it's way better than DH's private sector insurance. Also, once our kids are in school and do not need childcare, I can continue to contribute to our family financially without having left the workplace. So I think you need to consider the lost opportunity cost that a WOHM doesn't endure by providing early childcare.

Plus, WOHMs often do cooking, cleaning, etc. so really I consider my value to be my income + long term earning potential + retirement savings/healthcare minus the cost of childcare, which puts my family significantly ahead of where we'd be if I SAH.

And I have a flexible work from home job, so I don't lose a ton of time away from home and can take breaks as needed to get stuff done around the house, sign for packages, get dinner prepped, etc.

I don't know that I can quantify my financial value except to say it works for my family. I am an attorney and my ability to contribute financially to my family is such an asset right now. Other families may have different earning potentials, so they should do what works best for them.

It certainly works for you.

What about HHI where people make significantly more on one income than dual income families?

What if the monetary requirements that you have mentioned is different for some households and the family is better served if one parent is home? Do you think that they should be allowed to make that determination for themselves, without being judged?

[Anonymous]

I think you have to subtract the cost of missing their childhood, what's the going rate these days ?

[Anonymous]

All of these threads are dumb. People either work because they need to for the money or because they want to for other intangibles.

[Anonymous]

You couldn't have at least said WOHP instead of WOHM, to at least veil a little bit the attack on women you're perpetuating here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads are dumb. People either work because they need to for the money or because they want to for other intangibles.

And if that is true, then there is no one-size fits all. Do what is best for your family and remember you are a part of the said family.

[Anonymous]

These are dumb as everyone is different. For me, it was the cost of child care, misc expenses like clothing, gas, etc. and happiness at my job. With taxes it would have been a wash and my husband told me to stay home. I was very reluctant as my mom was horrified I would stay home as she never would have been happy. I did and glad I did but it is not for everyone. I would need to cover my expenses and after maxing out my salary have at least $1500 or less if we could not afford me not working on one salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well I think you have to also factor in the financial benefit of retirement savings, health benefits, etc. We are on my fed gov. health insurance because it's way better than DH's private sector insurance. Also, once our kids are in school and do not need childcare, I can continue to contribute to our family financially without having left the workplace. So I think you need to consider the lost opportunity cost that a WOHM doesn't endure by providing early childcare.

Plus, WOHMs often do cooking, cleaning, etc. so really I consider my value to be my income + long term earning potential + retirement savings/healthcare minus the cost of childcare, which puts my family significantly ahead of where we'd be if I SAH.

And I have a flexible work from home job, so I don't lose a ton of time away from home and can take breaks as needed to get stuff done around the house, sign for packages, get dinner prepped, etc.

I don't know that I can quantify my financial value except to say it works for my family. I am an attorney and my ability to contribute financially to my family is such an asset right now. Other families may have different earning potentials, so they should do what works best for them.

It certainly works for you.

What about HHI where people make significantly more on one income than dual income families?

What if the monetary requirements that you have mentioned is different for some households and the family is better served if one parent is home? Do you think that they should be allowed to make that determination for themselves, without being judged?

Yes, that is why I wrote that every family should do what works for them. The point of the post is that there are too many variables to actually put a dollar value on what each parent offers to their family. That being said, I am disgustingly tired of snarky comments from SAHMs about how working moms are "missing out" on their kids' childhood. I can work and be a loving, involved parent. Do these women feel that their working husbands, which is considered normal, are "missing out" on their kid's childhood? I hardly think so, and I think there are many ways a woman can contribute to her family financially and otherwise that have intangible value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you have to subtract the cost of missing their childhood, what's the going rate these days ?

The same as the going rate of men who work out of the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If someone wants to outsource everything a SAHM does and the cost comes to only about 100K (or lets say 60 K), then not making at least that amount as a WOHM would be considered a failure?

What do you think a WOHM should earn for it to be worthwhile?

Yes and no. If one can be a sahm, she should do it, regardless of cost.

[Anonymous]

Outsourcing = $60k ... What are you outsourcing? Sex with a high priced escort?

I make $130. I have $650k in retirement savings. I have a pension and healthcare for the rest of my life. I have $50K in an emergency fund.

I outsource cleaning for $120x26=$3120.

Plus $2k in camps for 2 kids = $4k

Outsource = <$10K

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outsourcing = $60k ... What are you outsourcing? Sex with a high priced escort?
I make $130. I have $650k in retirement savings. I have a pension and healthcare for the rest of my life. I have $50K in an emergency fund.

I outsource cleaning for $120x26=$3120.

Plus $2k in camps for 2 kids = $4k

Outsource = <$10K

Care to explain that remark?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outsourcing = $60k ... What are you outsourcing? Sex with a high priced escort?
I make $130. I have $650k in retirement savings. I have a pension and healthcare for the rest of my life. I have $50K in an emergency fund.

I outsource cleaning for $120x26=$3120.

Plus $2k in camps for 2 kids = $4k

Outsource = <$10K

Care to explain that remark?

The OP priced that outsourcing at $60-$100K and I suspect the only way to get to that number is by outsourcing sex. If not, why is her outsourcing number so ridiculous.