The Hidden Costs of Being a Stay at Home Parent
This article is not meant as a deterrent for parents considering this life-altering change. Its purpose is to educate the parents so they can make a more reasonable assessment of whether or not they can afford to stay at home.
Utility Costs
When mom or dad begins to stay home all day with the children, the utility costs will rise. Lights, televisions, radios, computers, and other electric devices will be in use during the day, therefore, the electric bill will rise. Also, the stay at home mom, as well as the children, will be using the restroom during the day. This will cause an increase in the family's water bill.
Keep the Cost Low Tip: Be aware of what electricity you are using. Open your curtains and take advantage of sunlight, rather than switching the switch. Limit the use of televisions, radios, and computers.
Grocery Costs
Day care providers usually provide lunch and snacks to the children that attend their facilities. When a parent decides to stay at home, the grocery bill will increase. Parents will now be responsible for the payment of all foods that their children eat.
Keep the Cost Low Tip: Shop grocery sale ads to find the best deals. Use coupons to save some extra money.
Activity Costs
Stay at home mothers and fathers usually enroll their children in activities so that the children can gain social skills by interacting with their peers. These activities can range in price from free to unbelievably expensive. Parents thinking about staying at home should consider what activities they would like their children to participate in. They should then find out how much the activities would cost them.
Keep the Cost Low Tip: Take advantage of free activities. Check out your local library. Most libraries offer programs for children free of charge, not to mention the free book and movie rentals.
Published by Ms. Wettin
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI agree the cost of utilities does go up when you choose to stay home. However, for me, food cost actually went down. Staying home encourages me to cook at home more. When I was working, it was so much easier to eat out after working late or being so tired. I love the suggestions for cutting costs. My kids and I are regulars at our local library and by volunteering at the YMCA, I receive a free membership. I work in the Y's Child Watch program where my kids can be with me and that earns me free Child Watch for when I want to work out myself.
You make some great points with this article. I'm a SAHM/WAHM wanna-be, so it makes me feel better to know that I wouldn't save quite as much as I thought.
Good article to point out some of the things that not everyone thinks of. I must point out that the costs vary quite a bit depending on whether you have an infant or an older child. Every daycare I have looked into required that all food and snacks be provided by the parent until the child was around 18 months or so and it is also easier to breastfeed if you are home and don't have to worry about pumping so the grocery costs for an infant will either be cheaper or equal depending on whether or not your choice affects your ability/desire to nurse. The utilities do go up a little bit, but we haven't found it to be that big of a change personally. Your cost saving tips are great though especially looking for free activities for your kids instead of enrolling them in lots of expensive classes. That will hike up costs FAST!
Great information. I am a sahm of two. Yes, the utilities go up and the ablity to keep the house clean with two little people running around all the time also increases, which results in a lot of hot showers and baths to wind down at the end of the day, using more water lol.
Very good article. I have found that we do use more energy during the day since I have been at home. We even have our 5 year old wandering around the house turning lights off and such.
Very good article. These are all quite practical things to consider, especially if finances are a factor in someone's decision. I've written an article on reasons *not* to be a work at home mom (not to self promote!) and it's nice to see someone else writing about similar practicalities. Great job!
Yes, you are right. There are many hidden costs of staying at home with the children. I really like the tips that you included with each one. Thanks for sharing!
Hmm, I never thought about some of this stuff, great article.
Informative article!
I'm a stay at home mom of three! Cost of everything in the house definately goes up when you are home all day with kids! Thanks so much for the great tips I'm sure a lot of stay at home parents will find them helpful!