STAY-AT-HOME CALCULATOR

Things are getting a bit tough in our house... my boy is 9 months old and he knows when his mommy is leaving for work. :( I HATE IT! Moments like this make me wonder if I had made the right decision to go back to work or if I should have been a stay-at-home-mom. I know financially it was what had to be done and I feel as though his daycare has taught him so much and he has advanced much more quickly than had it just been me and him, but now, I feel like I'm missing out.

He is <this> close to walking! I cannot miss that. I already have mommy guilt but if I miss that, I think it will send me into a mommy depression but I do miss being home with him. Having our snowed-in days have made me realize that time is flying by and he has this funny, loving personality. He has tantrums (which I find adorable AND frustrating at the same time) and when he is sick, I know what he needs and wants more than anyone ever could. But, how else could I afford our life if I don't stay a working mom full time? Well, I found this lovely calculator from Parents.com that is suppose to help us determine if and when we can afford it:

Your Income

Step 1: Enter Your Monthly Income

Your after-tax monthly income:

Your partner's after-tax monthly income:

Total: This is your after-tax (net) annual earnings now

Step 2: Enter Your Potential Stay-at-Home Monthly Income

Your after-tax work-at-home monthly income:

Your Expenses

Step 1: Enter Your Monthly Home and Living Expenses

Mortgage

Rent

Car Payments

Utilities

Groceries

Insurance premiums

Other household bills combined

Debt payments

Contribution to retirement funds account (e.g. IRAs) outside of those automatically deducted from your paycheck

Contribution to college funds

Dinners out, take-out, movies, other entertainment

Emergency fund for unexpected expenses (car or home repairs, etc.)

Total: This is your total yearly outlay for basic living expenses

STEP 2: Enter Your Monthly Childcare Expenses

Childcare expenses incurred by working

Total: This is your total yearly childcare cost

STEP 3: Enter Your Monthly Work Expenses

Commuting expenses

Lunch/snacks/coffee/after-work drinks out

Work clothes

Dry cleaning

Total: This is your total yearly work cost

STEP 4: Enter Any Other Annual Expenses

Yearly vacations

Holiday and birthday gifts

Beauty and family upkeep

Clothes (non-work related)

Child-related expenses

Medical expenses not covered by insurance

Gym/club membership dues

Everything else you spend money on

Total: This is your total yearly extras cost

* Disclaimer: This is meant to be a basic tool for estimating expenses and the economic feasibility of stay-at-home parenting. You should confer with your accountant or financial planner before making decisions about living on one full-time salary or two.

I'm sure this isn't 100% accurate but at least it's a ballpark figure and a helpful way of determining what my husband will have to do to get this going ;)! Sorry, babe. 

Here is the link:

Calculator