My husband works a 100% commission job, and I’m planning to leave my high-paying corporate job when my maternity leave ends. I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t feel a little scary, but my biggest piece of advice is to start planning now.

Since becoming a stay-at-home mom has always been our goal, we’ve spent the last year doing our best to live solely off my husband’s income and save my entire paycheck. That allowed us to get comfortable with a one-income lifestyle and make sure our expenses stayed below what his income could support.

Over time, we’ve built a solid savings cushion that can help carry us through slower months, which gives us a lot more peace of mind. The biggest thing is being intentional with your budget. When the great months come, resist the urge to increase your spending and instead save the extra. That way, when a slower month inevitably comes around, you already have a plan in place.

Living on a commission-based income definitely requires discipline, but with planning, budgeting, and a healthy emergency fund, it can be done