We are living proof that it is possible to have a stay at home Mum (or Mr Dad) while raising five boys on one wage.

Our Promise To Our Boys

Over 16 years ago David and I made a pact. A pact on our wedding day, where one parent would always stay home to raise our family….16 Years later five boys and that promise still stands true.

Raising Five Boys

Did we ever think that we would be raising five boys? Five boys into five fine men… No way! We thought that we would be raising six children as that is how many we have always wanted. Never in our wildest dreams did we think that we would end up with five amazing sons.

Every day we are so grateful that we get to watch our boys grow into fine men. Our promise was to make sure at least one of us was home to experience/share the precious moments.  The moments were they walked, talked, laughed, learnt to sleep, learnt to feed them self, learnt to read and write – discover their world that they were living in.

How We Raised Our Family on One Wage

Our boys have never gone without. They have had so many toys that they didn’t know which one to play with! We even brought our first home when David was still on an apprentice wage! We even sent our older two boys to a private high school. Only taking them out of the private high school last year because of our lifestyle changed. David has even had a turn at staying home with our boys while I was working as a nurse…we wanted to make sure our boys have always had as at home!

Here are some Tips on How we Raised Five Boys On One Wage

• Pay the Mortgage first (or rent) and then go food shopping;
• Go Food shopping with a list and a full tummy;
• Have a big money tin (one that can’t be opened) and place all of your lose coins into the tin. At the end of three months (or when the tin is full) take it to the bank. Then treat your children to somewhere that they want to visit, be it a zoo, theme park, restaurant, movies etc;
• Hire DVDs and make your own popcorn for Saturday movie time. Our kids love looking forward to family movie time;
• Look at what you have laying around the house (and no longer using) and sell it off. Put it on eBay or better still list with Gumtree – it’s free to list with Gumtree!
• If you can go back to one car, walking everywhere will get you into shape, and you can spend quality time with your children!
• Take on cleaning jobs either where you can take your younger children with you or work when hubby is home. The extra money can be used for family fun times!
• Do swaps with close family/friends or good neighbours. It’s important to spend time together as a couple, so arrange for baby sitting with those that you trust, and that way you can all take turns in going out as a hubby/wife!
• Go on picnics – taking your own food with you is more fun, and cost less!
• Head to the higher income areas for the op shops. You will find designer labels for that “special occasion” at less than what it will normally cost!
• Shop when you have specials – it’s the only way to shop in the bigger stores. Especially when they have a deal, “Buy one, get one free”!
• Shop on eBay – put your bid in the last minute! You can pick up bargains and save a fortune.

There are many other ways that we were able to Raise Five Boys On One Wage. It’s a matter of deciding if you are able to, you want to and if your lifestyle allows you to. Now that our boys are growing up we are grateful for the time we have had with them, and grateful for all of the precious moments we get to have with them. We wouldn’t change our family for anything!

Cheers, Lisa.

Lisa and David Wood live in a Motorhome travelling Australia with four of their five boys. To see more about their family, and connect with their newsletter please visit their blog at  www.newlifeontheroad.com/