Anonymous wrote:a PP here...I sometimes think it would be worth staying home, but then I remember the longterm benefit to staying in the labor force (401k, social security [like that'll exist when I retire!], salary increases eventually). That's why, to me, even with my relatively low salary, it's worth not staying home.
Me, too. Plus, we had a minor scare a few years ago - DH's organization underwent major changes in terms of some divisions combining, his department head left, and the whole reporting structure changed. His position was no longer guaranteed and it was several stressful months before he was lucky enough to find a better position with a different company. Had his job been eliminated before he found a new, my job (less than $60k) would have been our sole income. I would love to stay at home, but I feel more secure in this economy with 2 incomes (at least for now).
DH makes a little over 6 figures now, but I obviously don't.