More and more women are realizing that working outside the home may not be what’s best for themselves or their children. But figuring out how to afford being a stay-at-home mom can feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, we live in a society where surviving on one income can feel nearly impossible, but with the right plan, it is possible.
This post isn’t just going to say “write a budget,” though we’ll get into that. The heart of this post is about changing your mindset around money and the lifestyle you live.
A Little Background on Me
Hi! My name is Sharlene, and I’m a 25-year-old (in 2025) stay-at-home mom. I had my first baby in July of 2024. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I earned a degree in political science and worked as a tax consultant.
To be transparent, I was making a base salary of $85K a year plus quarterly bonuses, and I only ever missed one bonus. My husband was earning around $60–70K a year. Our household income was at least $145K annually, often more.
I fully intended to go back to work after having my baby, but when he was born and in my arms, my mama heart just couldn’t do it. My husband and I had to sit down and figure out if we could realistically cut our budget in half so I could afford to stay home with our son.
I don’t share this to brag. I share it because it is possible, no matter how much you made prior, but it takes commitment and some serious mindset shifts.
Have a Why
Having a clear “why” makes all the difference when you’re learning how to afford being a stay-at-home mom. It helps you stay focused when things get hard, like skipping a shopping trip or turning down a vacation
My why? I didn’t want my son to be raised by someone else.
I imagined my days: getting dressed, nursing my baby, handing him to a sitter, working all day, then coming home just in time for dinner, bath, and bedtime. I would have missed all of his milestones; the day he started crawling was at 3 p.m. or his first word around 11 a.m., I would have been at work for all of these, and I just couldn’t do it.
I also thought about the direction the world is heading. As a Christian, there are things being normalized in society that go against my values. I knew how important it was for me to be present during these formative years.
When I rock him to sleep for every nap, it makes the little sacrifices, like missing salon visits, completely worth it.
Get on the Same Page With Your Husband
This journey won’t work if you and your husband aren’t united. If one of you wants to maintain your old lifestyle and the other doesn’t, it’ll cause stress and tension.
You both need to agree: you being at home is the priority. That means getting your hair done or him buying gear or gadgets might have to wait.
That said, you can still enjoy affordable pleasures. I love wine, and I grab a $3 bottle of Winking Owl from Aldi. We still do date nights at home (check out my post on that!) and occasionally order in something budget-friendly like pho.
Getting on the same page about how to afford being a stay-at-home mom has strengthened our marriage. Our communication has drastically improved. When a problem arises, we don’t fight, we talk it through and solve it together. We’ve learned to face the problem as a team, not each other as the problem.
Do a Deep Dive of Your Finances
Pull up your bank statements. You might be shocked, I know I was. We were spending $600 a month on eating out. On top of that: unused subscriptions, endless Target runs, and unexplained Walmart trips. It was a disaster.
Doing a deep dive showed us exactly how much we were wasting, and helped us see that affording to be a stay-at-home mom was possible.
We made a lot of lifestyle cuts. Here are just a few:
What I No Longer Pay For
- Nail Salon Visits – I used to go every two weeks. Now, I do my nails at home. I spent about $100 on equipment, which paid for itself quickly.
- Hair Appointments – I do my hair at home. Thankfully, I don’t have color or chemical treatments to maintain.
- Dining Out – We used to go on fancy dates multiple times a month. Now we cook everything at home. I do miss oysters and caviar, not gonna lie.
- Shopping Sprees – I no longer aimlessly stroll through Target.
- Starbucks – Like many women, I loved the drive-thru. But I’ve found a great latte recipe I now make at home. (Check out my Latte Recipe if you need one!)
There are more, but the point is, you will need to make lifestyle cuts, and that’s okay. Just remember your why, it’s what will keep you grounded when you’re figuring out how to afford being a stay-at-home mom.
Write a Budget
Of course, we can’t skip this one. Once you’ve identified wasteful spending and made lifestyle cuts, it’s time to write a realistic budget.
Figure out the minimum amount of money your family needs each month. Fixed expenses like rent or mortgage are non-negotiable, but variable expenses are where you can make real changes.
Variable Bills You Can Cut to Help Your Budget
Utilities & Subscriptions
- Electricity/Gas – Turn off lights, unplug devices, adjust the thermostat.
- Internet – Downgrade your plan or shop around.
- Streaming Services – Cancel or rotate monthly.
- Cell Phone – Switch to a lower-cost provider.
- Other Subscriptions – Cancel what you don’t truly use.
Groceries & Food
- Groceries – Meal plan, buy in bulk, shop sales, use store brands. (Need help? Check out my post on how to spend less on groceries.)
- Takeout – Limit to special occasions.
- Coffee/Snacks on the Go – Brew at home and pack snacks.
Transportation
- Gas – Combine errands, carpool, or use public transit.
- Car Maintenance – Do preventative care to avoid expensive repairs.
- Car Insurance – Shop around. We cut one policy from $300 to $150/month.
Lifestyle & Personal Spending
- Clothing – Buy secondhand, shop sales, or pause shopping altogether.
- Entertainment – Use libraries, free events, outdoor fun.
- Hobbies – Limit spending or find free alternatives.
- Beauty – Space out or DIY grooming.
Household & Family
- Cleaning Supplies – I get all mine from Aldi.
- Pet Care – DIY grooming and shop deals. We care for our dog completely at home.
Cut these expenses down to the bare minimum, and I promise, you’ll find room in your budget you didn’t know was there.
Do a Trial Run
If possible, try living on your new budget for a few months before fully committing to staying home. This trial run gives you a chance to adjust your habits and mindset while you still have the flexibility of a second income. Practicing the discipline now makes the transition feel less abrupt later and helps you identify any areas that may need tweaking.
Pay Off Debt
Living on one income is much more manageable when you’re not carrying debt. If you’re still pregnant, now is a great time to create a plan to pay off as much debt as possible. One strategy is to live on just one income and use the other entirely toward debt repayment. This helps you adjust to the new budget and make real progress before the baby arrives.
If your baby is already here and you’re eager to be home, it’s harder, but not impossible. This is the route my husband and I took. It takes sacrifice and creativity, but getting out of debt makes staying home a lot more realistic.
Build an Emergency Fund
Having 3–6 months of expenses saved gives you peace of mind. It acts as a cushion in case of unexpected bills or a job loss. This is especially important when transitioning to one income.
Meal Plan and Cook at Home
Food is a huge part of most household budgets. Planning your meals, cooking at home, and using leftovers wisely can save hundreds per month. Check out my Meal Planning Made Simple guide to help you out if you are new to this.
Consider Freelance or Part-Time Work
Just because I don’t work full-time doesn’t mean I don’t contribute financially. I help with my mom’s business for extra income. If you have a degree or prior career experience, you probably have skills you can offer on Upwork or as a virtual assistant.
The digital product space is also booming, eBooks, courses, printables. This blog and my YouTube channel are things I’m actively working on monetizing.
You can also do rideshare services like Instacart, DoorDash and Uber
Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean giving up income, it just means getting creative.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, you can afford being a stay at home mom, but you will have to make sacrifices. And you have to be okay with that.
When you become a mom, life stops being just about you, it starts being that sweet baby. For me, that shift has been more rewarding than anything money could buy.
Let me know in the comments how you’re making stay-at-home mom life work in this economy. I’d love to hear your story.
