If this is your first visit to the Mommy Come Home series, you may want to catch up here.
When the Mommy, Come Home series was merely a bunch of jumbled thoughts in my head, I already knew that I wanted Stephanie to write a post for me. I knew that her story was similar to mine in many ways, and I so love her very gracious but very no nonsense, you can do it attitude!
…Can you live on one income? Yes. Can you live on one income as if you have two? No…
…I often thought we could not live on just one income, as it seemed we were barely making ends meet with two. The reality of the situation is that we were not being disciplined with our finances, we were not budgeting properly and most importantly we were leaving God out of the picture. Just when we thought we couldn’t live on any less, our income would get cut or expenses would go up. Each time I would learn how to be a better steward, how to stretch those dollars even further, and how to wait upon the Lord…
…One of the biggest things I have learned is how to become an income saver instead of an income earner…
…In the course of a year, I have saved more money than I ever made working outside the home…
…While each family must determine for themselves what expenses are necessary and what aren’t (there are some families who make our budget look elaborate!), I am convinced that you can get the best and lowest price on virtually everything in your budget with a little effort, a little prayer, and little time…
After you visit Stephanie for the rest of the story, be sure to read through her budgeting posts. You’ll be amazed with her bare bones budgeting skills!
This post is linked to Family Friday and Frugal Friday.
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I’m double-posting this comment, here and on Stephanie’s blog. This was great. Since Jason and I are counting down the week and a half until we become a single-income family, this post couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Thank you Amy for coming up with this great series and filling it with fantastic posts. Thank you Stephanie for a really well-written post on the subject. Though, brief, it has helped to steer us a little more in the right direction. I’ve only gotten through a couple of her budgeting posts, but so far I’ve really liked the one about your Zero Balance Budget.
Thank you so much Amy for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on this! I pray it can inspire and encourage others!
I am going now to go read her story! We have been struggling way too long, we need some change! Thanks Amy for posting this story about Stephanie! Stephanie, thanks for sharing. Awesome!
When my husband and I decided to live on one income, he took the initiative to make a plan. I’m so glad he did that at first, but now we both work to save.
We recently found that we needed to explain to our child that money isn’t the object (an idol). Instead, we’re trying to be good stewards for other reasons.
Thanks, Stephanie and Amy!
Choosing to live on one income so that I could stay home with our son is the best decision we’ve made as a family. I absolutely agree that it seemed impossible until we did it!
I agree…it takes work but it is so worth it:-)
When I quit working 7 years ago, I thought it was not possible. It is. I sure hope that many people read your wonderful, helpful post. It is all about priorities.
Thanks!
What a blessing to hear how she was able to make it work!