Whether you go out to work or you stay at home, when you’re a parent with little ones, either option is tough. Both situations and choices come with their own problems, as well as their benefits. But today it is about the stay at home parents. Whether by choice or necessity, you find yourself staying at home to raise your family and surviving as a family on one income; it isn’t always easy. As the parent that stays at home, it can be tricky to spend anything on yourself, and a lunch with friends or a date night with your spouse can feel like an absolute luxury. But to avoid those feelings of guilt and the emotional battle that can happen when it comes to finances, here are some steps to take, to help you budget as a stay at home parent and to help you to thrive living off one income.
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[ctt template=”4″ link=”p1fds” via=”yes” ]Here are some healthy financial habits to get into, to help you budget as a stay at home parent and to help you to be a happy stay-at-home parent.[/ctt]
Keep Conversations Open
If you or your partner doesn’t talk about how they are feeling when it comes to money, then it can quickly lead to resentment or guilt, which is not going to make for a happy home. So keep the conversation about money open and honest. It is important to acknowledge the other partner's feelings too. When you understand how each other feels and you’re both coming from a place of empathy, it can help you to better understand how to spend or save the household income.
Set Budgeting Rules
If you just set a budget as the stay at home parent, then it might not always be fair. So set rules as to how both parties will budget. Where will money be spent and where will money be saved? Both having access to the money, through the simplest way of a joint account, is a good way to track finances anyway. You can monitor who spends what and where it is going.
Keep Track of Spend
Along those same lines, it is important to keep track of what the money is being spent on. If you can find ways to save money as you go along, then great. But that isn’t always going to be possible. But sticking within a budget and making sure that you don’t overspend is important. If your partner is self-employed or they need help when it comes to a tax return, then look for ways to make that easier, with an online paystub generator, for instance. Then you know what tax you’re expected to pay, or equally, how much pay they should be getting each month. When you keep on top of the pennies, the pounds really do look after themselves.
Reward with Savings
If you as the stay at home parent are responsible for the main spend like groceries and household items, then it is good to look for ways to save even more. With store loyalty cards and vouchers, you can earn money off. If you have stuck within the budget, then you’ll have spare cash. Save up any of the savings to treat the family, your spouse or yourself to something. It teaches you to be frugal, as well as getting some extra treats from time to time.
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