Has Anyone Cut Back Lifestyle By Choice?

[SmilingChick]

Right now, I am a SAHM and my husband works. He married late in life, and we decided before we got married that when it was time for him to retire (15 months from now), he would be a SAHD and I would return to work.
Well, I am not crazy about the idea of returning to work full-time, so we're relocating (we live in a crazily expensive area now) so that we can buy a house in full, and DH's pension and my part-time salary (I want to work, just not full time) will be enough to live on, although we will have to cut out some extras. We'd planned ahead well - we'll have a nice chunk to invest for college, as well as some savings left over, and dh's pension is reduced so that I will get 100% of it eventually, and we also have insurance policies for me covering medical benefits God forbid something were to happen to him sooner rather than later. Our child(ren) will be covered to age 23. I say this only to show that we've pretty much covered our bases re: the important things.
It just isn't worth it to me to spend a lot of time away from my family so that we can have things we don't really need. Has anyone - by choice - cut back on their lifestyle? If so, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

[SmilingChick]

Maybe I should've posted this in frugality?

[eugenemama]

I'm not sure if this is what you're asking about, but anyone who goes from 2 incomes to 1, or 1 income to none is cutting back lifestyle by choice. I worked until ds was born, and have no intention of "going back". So, dh & i had to make lifestyle changes to accomodate the drop in income. And, after 14 months, we continue to make changes. I think you & your husband have planned super well, which is great. We planned some, but a lot was unknown to us b/c we hadn't had a child before (and so didn't know costs). It was daunting to us to drop an income, but the reality is that we HAD to adjust, and so we stopped eating out as often, no longer went to movies, examined our grocery bills & cut way back (while still being 95% organic), didn't buy spendy clothes & froo-froo shoes etc, don't take trips as often or like we used to.

good luck with everything! And if there's something more specific you're wondering, feel free to ask!

[Amys1st]

This is a good place for this since it about $$.

I have been home w DD since March of 2002 due to bedrest before her birthday on May 24th 2002.

We have made many lifestyle changes including eating out, clothing purchases, shoe purchases, vacations, new cars, trips to home depot, movies, golfing, take out, spending in general. Since my income is no longer there, it cuts down on disposable spending.
But, there is only so much of it I need so its fine by us and our only debt right now is our mortgage. Its worth it for us to see my daughter everyday.

[jlazx2]

I think you have planned very well. Lots of people downsize & I think it is great that you are. It is hard to find part time work though so keep that in mind, expecially if you want to make it worth your time. you may want to downsize even more.

Lots of people here have cut back by choice to be with their kids but things do come up. I

[jlazx2]

Originally Posted by Amys1st

This is a good place for this since it about $$.

I have been home w DD since March of 2002 due to bedrest before her birthday on May 24th 2002.

We have made many lifestyle changes including eating out, clothing purchases, shoe purchases, vacations, new cars, trips to home depot, movies, golfing, take out, spending in general. Since my income is no longer there, it cuts down on disposable spending.
But, there is only so much of it I need so its fine by us and our only debt right now is our mortgage. Its worth it for us to see my daughter everyday.

I think that is great! You are right it is worth it. My dd2 is about the same age, but had to go back to work in Jan as DH insurance doubled (plus lsot his OT).

[MamaMonica]

SmilingChick, have you visited simpleliving.net? There are people there who have made similar lifestyle changes.

We just continue to plug away slowly, saving and haven't downsized because we never upsized. But we continue work on the budget.

[chel]

I second the never downsize as we never upsized. We had dd right after college and was actually 2m pg when I started my first "real" job, the one I went to school for. We just saved my paychecks to payoff our new-to-us car and save for the baby.
I've been trying to get my recently retired parents to downsize. For some reason all the frugal tips they taught me have gone out the window for them now? The "living up to the Joneses" life style is causing them alot of stress now.

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by chel

I've been trying to get my recently retired parents to downsize. For some reason all the frugal tips they taught me have gone out the window for them now? The "living up to the Joneses" life style is causing them alot of stress now.

Its funny, my parents raised us to be frugal and save money etc and not waste. It paid for them. They retired recently at age 57 and have a couple millon in the bank. They also have a house in FL. They are not under stress from this, but they eat out a lot, pay to have things done, etc. Its just wierd to see if anything. Oh and they buy dd and her cousins anything that is not nailed down that these kids want.
These people are not the same people who raised us. My brother & I are convinced that people from MArs came and took my parents and put these people in their place. :LOL

[OlfactoryHues]

:)

We've just simply decided there are so many things we can do without. Like a cell phone, cable tv, high speed internet, etc. We also do a lot of natural things that are free like breastfeed, use vinegar and H2O for cleaning. We like to plan ahead too, like CDing with #1 and reusing those diapers for #2 and as long as they last through kids after that.

I am one who just loves a deal, and also is a bit antiestablishment (for instance, people say "How do you live w/o a cell phone?" makes me never want to get one, lol).


Jenn

[Emilie]

There are many ways taht you can cut back and simplify so that you can all be together!
that is wonderful.
Are you looking for ideas as to how to cut corners?
I have tons of them and so do the other ladies here.
There are also things you can do from home or as a family so that you can make some extra cash!
Emilie
Emilie

[KariM]

Nearly everything I do is by choice.

I don't mean to sound facetious, but I honestly try to ensure that I'm not forced into decisions but consciously choose what I do.

We've made many decisions to do without or downsize or simplify that most mainstream Americans think are bizarre.

We don't have cable tv or a satellite dish. We grow many of our own vegetables (even though we live on a tiny city lot - got rid of our back lawn to do it). We don't drive new cars. We rarely go out to eat at restaurants. We buy second hand clothing and I sew. We rarely go out to the movies or engage in costly entertainment. Either I or DH make most of our food from scratch.

We don't view any of these decisions as sacrifices. They were consciously made in order to allow us to parent in a way consistent with our values.

I envy your family! I so wish that DH didn't have to work full-time so that he could also spend more time with the rest of the family.

--Kari