Being A Stay At Home Mom On A Budget

One the biggest assumptions made about stay at home moms is that they must have a lot of money or their husband must have a nice job that allows them to stay home, not in my case. My husband works a regular job with a regular working wage. I understand this way of living isn't for everyone but, it works for us. It does take some mental preparation but it is possible to be a  Stay At Home Mom on one income.

Online I've seen 2 types of stay at home moms; you have the thrift store, extreme coupon types who will repurpose, DIY and/or recycle anything. To save money they even use cloth toilet paper. I'm not about that life, at all. I'm all for saving money but, I'm also for keeping my sanity and nose hairs intact. I save money by finding a way to do what and get what I want within my budget.

Balance
Online I've seen 2 types of stay at home moms; you have the thrift store, extreme coupon types who will re-purpose, DIY and/or recycle anything. To save money some will even use cloth toilet paper. I'm not about that life, at all. I'm all for saving money but, I'm also for keeping my sanity and nose hairs intact. I save money by finding a way to do and get what I want within my budget. If I can't get something, it isn't the end of the world.

I do what works for me and my family. I have 3, soon to be 4, children and even if something is less expensive, it may not be worth it time wise or sanity wise. An example of this is cloth diapers. I tried them with my oldest daughter when she was a baby, had no problems with them. When I added baby number 2 to the mix and things got busy, laundry started taking a little bit longer to get to. So though cloth diapering saves money every month on diapers, it just isn't a great option for me right now. I gladly give Target my $20 every 2 weeks for a box of diapers.

Spend Smart
Don't get it twisted, I haven't always been frugal with my money, I used to fly through money. If I wanted a new pair of shoes I bought them. If I wanted my hair fixed, I just went to the hair salon, which was every 2 weeks like clockwork. I've since, learned how to care for my own hair and go to the salon about once a year as a treat. Thanks to YouTube, I can blow my hair out as nice as a salon can! The initial investment in a quality flat iron, blow dryer and hair products wasn't cheap but, I have saved hundreds of dollars and my hair is healthy.

I also shop at discount stores. I'm not a thrift store shopper, I hate thrift stores. I don't knock those of you who love them and it may just be a local thing but, the thrift stores in my city are stinky and unorganized. I'd rather spend an extra $1 or so and go to Ross. I love Ross! Ross is my go to store for clothes and houseware. I just bought a storage ottoman from there for $30, the same ottoman was at Target for $75.

I don't skimp on quality, I just try to find quality at discounted prices and these days, it really is easy to do that. Stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, AtHome, Burlington Coat Factory, etc. are all stores that sell department store quality products for 50-75% off, and have clearance sections.

Have A Budget
I have a mental limit on how much I'm willing to spend on everything I buy. For my children's clothing, I won't spend more than $10-20 on a single piece of clothing. I am a Target, WalMart, Children's Place shopper for them. My oldest is 5 and her clothes don't need to cost the same as mine. I don't care a thing about name brand for them except for shoes. These stores all have clearance sections and send out coupons,  so I stay below $5-7 on shirts and pants for them.

For myself, if I want a new skirt, I go into the store with X amount on my mind and don't budge. If I can't find it for X amount, I just wait for a sale or don't buy it. Simple as that. I won't die without a new skirt. I honestly have enough clothes already and realize these are wants and not needs.

I have X amount to spend on groceries every month and so on. I stay within my budget.

List of 10 things we do to save money:
- No eating out, I make all meals at home, everyday.
- Buy in bulk. I love Sams Club.
- Use coupon apps. I love WalMart's Saving Catcher app.
- Shop clearance sections.
- Shop end of season sales.
- No window shopping. I don't shop unless I intend to buy and even then I go where I need to go and then go home! The more you're in stores, the more you will spend.
- No subscription services. I only use 2 monthly subscription services, Netflix and ABCMouse.
- No cable, we have Netflix.
- Buy used cars, trucks, etc. that you can pay off quickly or with cash all at once.
- Save and purchase big ticket items like furniture, with cash. No monthly payments.

Now just because I'm frugal doesn't mean I don't ever treat myself. I like buying nail polish, hair accessories, jewelry, etc. I just don't do it in excess. I try to stick to nail polish under $5 and buy 1 or 2 at a time. You don't have to get underwear from Victoria Secret, try WalMart or Target. They sell cute comfy essentials for inexpensive prices. Grab a pair every week.

You don't have to give up everything you love, just find a smarter more cost efficient way to do things.

Keeping Your Sanity As A Stay At Home Mom

There are a lot of blogs as of late that claim to depict the "real" side of being a mother. How sometimes it's hard, it's rough and you just plain don't like it. I can honestly say NOTHING prepared me for being a stay at home mom. Everyday I feel like I'm failing and each morning I feel like I start over again. The struggle is real. Here are some of my tips for keeping your sanity while being at home with children. I will warn you though, some might seem gross to some of you but listen, I've heard too many stories and walked past too many stanky moms.... I know lots of us are struggling to hold it together. It's okay to admit that some days it really sucks but, it's also okay to do something about that.

My tips for getting yourself together and keeping yourself together:

1. Your House Is Always "Lived In" Looking:
You literally clean all day. You have dishes upon dishes, constantly have to pick up toys, couch is constantly being jumped on, things are always out of place. If you're someone who is used to having a nice clean magazine perfect house, get used to having a house that always looks like it is hanging on to cleanliness by a thread. I have 3 small children in my home everyday and a untidy house really just comes with the territory. Cleaning really isn't my strong point but, with 3 soon to be 4 small children I have to make it a priority or things get really nasty really quickly.

Solutions:

Clean up all day. Really. Clean the kitchen while you cook, tidy the living room every time you enter it, wipe the table down after every meal and so on. Don't leave messes to pile up or you will get overwhelmed. Every time you enter the bathroom, tidy it up; wipe down the sink, clean off the mirror etc. This really is the easiest way I've found that keeps rooms from looking like explosions. Took me YEARS to figure this one out, don't let that be you.

Put "Checklists" in each room:
For the bathroom you can put:

• Wipe down sink.
• Clean mirror.
• Pick up tissue around toilet. (I don't know why tissue is always on the loose in my bathroom)
• Wipe toilet seat down.

This will also help cut down on the spread of germs and keep sickness at bay.

Checkout my "Stay At Home Mom" Board on Pinterest! 

2. You're Going To Be Tired
I have never been so tired in my life! Being a stay at home mom is exhausting because someone always needs you RIGHT NOW. You're always getting up to go put something away, look at a scratch, fix a little person a snack or juice, there is ALWAYS someone who needs you. Having a 2 year old boy means I can't sit down for too long or else he is in something he shouldn't be. Keeping on top of children is a lot of work.

Solutions:

• Drink your water. Not just the water in your coffee! I took water for granted for many years and under my eye bags are here to show for it. I don't love drinking water but, I force myself because I know if I don't drink it I will be sluggish and aggravated during the day.
• Eat. I know it's hard to remember to eat when every time you go to put food in your mouth a little hand comes asking for a piece or you have to get up and clean up a spill. I've had many days where it's 12 o clock and I realize I still haven't eaten breakfast. Bad habit. Make time to eat. 
• Supplements. Take some multi-vitamins and give some to your children. Add Vitamin C to your water and other drinks. Do little things to boost your vitamin intake throughout the day. There are so many nutrients that we don't get in our food anymore and no matter how much you try, sometimes you need to take supplements to make sure your keep your body and mind healthy. 
• Get Out Of The House. I'm really working hard on this one. It is easy for me to stay in the house all day because, I'm an introvert. I love being inside but, it isn't healthy to always be inside. Sunshine is healthy and a great energy booster. Getting out is not just going for a car ride to a store, go for walks or just sit on the porch. Open the windows during the day let the sun in. Seriously, staying in the house all the time can make you depressed. I know from experience.

3. Looking A Hot Mess

Some Most days I look a hot mess. Despite my best efforts, I constantly have chipped polish, messy hair, and old clothes on. I know we are suppose to embrace yoga pants and t shirts but, let's face it, most of us are wearing pajamas all day. Changing from dirty pajamas to clean pajamas. Nothing will make you try harder with your appearance than having your mother in law just stop by to drop something off. You won't look magazine ready but, these tips will help you look presentable....well Target type of presentable.. 

Solutions:

• Just remove the polish. When my polish used to chip, I used to take it off immediately, now I think I've gotten immune to it. I'm trying to practice just taking it off once it starts chipping, even if I can't re-polish my nails right away. 
• Do your hair. Have you ever walked past the mirror and your hair was literally standing on top of your head? No? Just me? Okay, well whatever... I have curly hair and try to make it a habit to keep at the VERY least a tidy bun. Water, gel, a brush and ponytail holder, will get you right in 30 seconds or less. 
• Brush your teeth and wash your face.  Seriously. I never thought I'd get to a time in my life where I'd wonder if I brushed my teeth that morning. I have honestly had days where I could not remember if I washed my face. Sad truth. I suppose I've had intentions to do it but, some small child needed me RIGHT NOW. Make it a point to brush your teeth and wash your face, EVERYDAY....no, EVERY MORNING. 
• Shower daily. Become the master of the 5 minute shower. You can fit it in. 

These are simple things that most of us never thought we would have to be told to do or reminded to do but, it is really easy to let yourself go and your house go. I'm not perfect but, after feeling like crap for years I've decided to change my daily routines and it helps A LOT. Not loving life? Change it. Do what you can, where you can and make it work. I won't ever have a Pinterest perfect house or life but, that's actually okay. 

Accept this stage of your life, live it and realize soon your children will be adults and you can go back to being cute and wearing real actual clothes on a regular basis.