Anonymous wrote:I started staying home 15 months ago when DS was born. Prior to that, I was pretty ok at earning and made $106/yr and my husband made the same. We moved (which is why I SAH) and I'm looking for a new job. In the interim, I've requested $300/wk from DH. $100 for groceries, $60 for house cleaner (DH does literally no housework), $40 for babysitter (our sitter charges $10/hr) and $100 discretionary. I should note that we are in a low cost of living area and have almost no other expenses or debt.

What's the rest of your monthly budget, OP?
All your numbers should be monthly, btw.

I would always love to hear the DH's position on this posts. I'm guessing he feels as follows:

1. My wife really wanted to stay home, i was a bit worried about what it would do to our budget, but how can you say 'no' to your wife when she argues that staying home with children is the most important job in the world?

2. I come home from work and am exhausted, and my wife had a nap and went to the gym during the work day, and as soon as i walk in the door, she hands our child to me.

3. Why does my wife need a babysitter and a housecleaner? Isn't that the point of staying home?

4. I'm worried about the budget when my wife is spending about 20% of our income on her stay at home needs. I see her spending money on frivolous stuff like starbucks and spontaneous purchases every week at target that i'm not sure we need. We didn't used to go to Target so much when my wife used to work, so I'm wondering if said target trips are just time fillers, and are costing us money uncessarcily.

5. All this said, i don't feel like my wife understands the consequences of her actions, and i've asked her to cut back on spending to no avail, so i've proposed a budget - including a set allowance for her discretionary spending.