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Some families get by on one income without a care in the world, while other families struggle just to make ends meet with both parents working full time or more. The days where one spouse works while the other takes care of the family needs, tends to the house and raises the children seemed to have vanished. While there are families that make their financial situation work with just one income, it is becoming more and more difficult for middle income, blue collar working families to do that. My family can be included in this demographic.
Costs Have Increased
In the past 30 years, the cost of raising a family and making ends meet has risen astronomically. When I got married and had my first child, I knew that we would never be able to survive on my husband's income alone. I continued on my career path and had to enlist the services of a babysitter to care for my son while I was out of the house. I needed to work full time to offset the costs of childcare, as well as help give my fair share towards rent and the bills.
A Matter of Priorities
While I would love to stay home and raise my children, keeping our financial situation in good condition is my top priority. While it would be ideal for my family to be able to live on one income, it simply isn't feasible in today's modern age. The cost of living has increased substantially, and I need to help my husband make ends meet.
We Live in a Different World Now
I have come to the conclusion that we live in a much different world than that of my grandparents. Parents are stretched even further these days than in previous generations, and in order to make ends meet both parents often need to work full time.
We will probably never be a one income family because the cost of living is simply too high. With both my husband and I working full time, we are able to make ends meet. If one of us were to stop working, our budget would tank and our family would cease to thrive.
