Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: She doesn't have a proposal. She feels we're stuck. I want to dislodge the problem, but I don't know how.

She needs to propose a solution. How old is the baby? It takes some time to establish a routine and get comfortable with it.

By the way: Talk with your wife not us (moral of the whole story).

None of us really know your full situation. Listen to your wife not us.

Create a powerpoint or folder presentation for her of her options, not us.

I'm speaking from a place of wanting marriages to work and not airing dirty laundry. Speak to your wife, not us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My best friend has been a stay at home mom for 14 years. Her husband makes about 60k a year. They make it work. It is all about priorities. 14 years ago when she had her first her husband was making 30k. They now have 3 kids, own a beautiful home and go on 1 nice vacation a year.

60k a year with 3 kids? Own a beautiful home? Go on nice vacations? Bullshit. That's basically poverty.

Not in Texas they bought a bran new custom built home for 130k a few years ago. No state tax. Great health insurance covered through his company with hardly any out if pocket cost.

Oh so helpful for the OP who doesn't live in Texas and where no homes are at $130k much less a beautiful home.

Sounds like this woman is very wise with her money. Think about it years ago out parents and grandparents raised 3 or more children on salaries of 25,000. I'm sure it can be done if all of the extras are done away with: hair, nails, shopping, cable, fast food, etc.

I would like to meet that stay at home mom. She is just like me.

Other options:
vacations every other year (creates anticipation and appreciation)--or just go on the "round the corner vacays" or dream vacations only once every 5 years.
hair nails monthly or every other month instead of every week
shopping on 3 month cycle (no shopping before then unless it is thrift)
cable --seems like people can't get past that. I do not have cable (thanks internet)
Fast food---still a problem for me, but I try to eat fresh items at home maybe 3 days a week.

Don't forget the coin jar. . .keep it in a corner of your house and just add spare change. That can be used for a "special treat"