Reply to What is your income to allow one parent to stay at home?

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[quote=Anonymous]66-79k in Alexandria and NW DC for almost 3 years. At 66k, often nothing was left after bills were paid. At 77k, tight but doable.

Do you live in the city or suburbs? This makes a huge difference, IME.

DC is easily fun on a very low budget. It's colorful and lively with people and animals everywhere, so adventure and interesting things for a little kid are all around. Here are free parks, woods, plays, concerts, museums, library events, adventures on the street and neighborhood.

Being poor in the suburbs may be fine if you like your neighborhood and have friends, or know how to keep it interesting at home. I didn't and felt stuck isolated in the middle of nowhere during the day when my neighbors were at work and there was nothing to do close to home.

Cut out: No car. Travel by metro and bus.
Clothes: consignment and thrift.
Rarely go to paid events.
Cook at home.
For food on the go, stop by a store instead of restaurant. 
Home-cooked, simple food. Mostly organic cheapest bulk foods and the cheaper organic fresh foods.
Pack a lunch, a metro card and a little bit of cash just in case, and out you go. 
Isolating and embarrassing when you can't afford to eat out with folks you meet or want to meet.

Your baby and young toddler would be fine without expensive activities because she still lives in a great big world of new sights and experiences, surprises, games friends and family, nature and more.

After my DD turned 2.5 and it's winter, I see that she would really enjoy more activities that cost money, like music or dance classes just for fun. But in the first 2-2.5 years, you can give your kid the world for very little money if you think off the beaten path a little. I can't speak for older kids, but seems true then too.

I'd say definitely get a part time job for nights and weekends, or find ways to earn at least some money from home. When you are poor, a little cash goes a long way.
Keep learning and volunteering, especially in ways that will help you find work later. The library and volunteering are can make your world plenty interesting for free and make it easier to find work when the time comes.[/quote]

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