Hey, Mama! We need to talk. Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair. It’s time for a family meeting.

You want to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) or you want to continue as a SAHM. I’m proud of you! But, you have legit financial concerns. So did I.

Today, I’ll share two steps that worked for us, but remember everyone’s situation is different. Treat this like a buffet. Take what you want and leave the rest. Now, grab your journal and let’s get to work!

Write down your family’s purpose. Take your time and don’t skip this step! Trust me, knowing your family’s purpose is directly tied to how you manage your money. It will also anchor you during the hard times. Think and pray through- What do I want my family’s life to look like? God puts stirrings in our heart for a reason. Pay attention to that. Follow it.

Your next piece of homework is to go through a years worth of bank statements and see what you’re spending money on. For us, eating out was in our 2-income budget. But seeing the total amount spent over a year was still surprising.

Also, look for subscriptions, auto drafts, paid apps, errors, etc. You signed up for that free trial, but forgot to cancel after 30 days? Those charges add up quickly.

These steps saved us over $3k that first year, which allowed us to pay off a debt. It may not sound like much, but don’t worry, we’re not done.

For now, that should keep you busy for a couple days until our next family meeting. We’re in this together, Sis! Talk to you soon.

#happyhomemakerchronicles