Would like to continue being a SAHM
Is it financially safe for me to continue being a stay-at-home spouse while I keep looking for a work-from-home job? My spouse hopes to retire in about 10 years, and I’m having a difficult time finding remote work. Here’s our current monthly take-home budget for feedback.
Husband's Monthly take-home income: $10,970
This is our actual take-home pay after taxes, Tricare premiums, life insurance contributions, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), TSP contributions, and other payroll deductions.
Housing (paid off house)
Water: $130
Electric/Heat/Air: $200
Mobile phones: $214
Internet: $125
Garbage: $16.50
Security system: $70.98
Homeowners insurance: $200
Transportation
Gas: $150
Auto insurance: $465
Vehicle payment: $417.12
Vehicle payment: $420.55
Food
Groceries: $1,200
Lifestyle & Household
Gym: $92
Car wash: $85
Netflix: $25
Hulu: $12
Paramount+: $13
HBO/Max & Cinemax: $22
Apple One: $41
Yard/Bug service: $30
Audible: $25
Kindle Unlimited: $12
Personal
Spending money (Adult 1): $500
Spending money (Adult 2): $500
Teen allowance: $400
Eating out: $300
Entertainment: $200
Clothing: $400
Saving & Investing
Investing: $1,000
Emergency fund: $2,000
Miscellaneous
Extra/Buffer: $1,703.85
This is a true zero-based budget, so every dollar is assigned a purpose. I’m interested in hearing whether people think this is financially sustainable for the next decade if I remain at home while continuing to search for a remote position, or if you’d recommend making changes now.