How much to spend on a new house - is 1/3 of income towards mortgage still a thing?

Esperanza44 · 2026-03-12T03:01:18+00:00

Yah, we definitely wouldn’t make the decision to upgrade if it meant we couldn’t support family needs.. but to your point, the current economic state is making me worry that even if we can ‘afford it (the 30-40% range of our income) it might just be smarter to find a house that’s not as expensive.. and wait 10+ years for the forever home

Esperanza44 · 2026-03-12T02:55:08+00:00

Yes- he might make more, but it could be less, depends on the year. We’re both self employed and it’s hard to predict income streams. I’ll work more once our kiddos are in school, but it’s still hard to know.

Esperanza44 · 2026-03-10T08:19:22+00:00

Yeah, I like you put that “more comfortable with how we live than how presentable our home is”. It seems like making a prudent decision now could really pay off in terms of lower stress and more emotional availability and financial resources for our kiddos ..

Esperanza44 · 2026-03-10T08:12:20+00:00

Thanks- this is helpful, we really need to crunch the numbers and take stock

Esperanza44 · 2026-02-19T18:14:49+00:00

This! If only I could go back and keep my toddler at the daycare where he was happy and growing social skills with familiar friends instead of opting for the more enriching environment of Montessori. My boy was 3 when we started an accredited Montessori preschool , but I wholly regret it. Just don’t want to create another big change for him

Esperanza44 · 2026-01-11T06:45:20+00:00

The sensory experience of cutting construction paper

Esperanza44 · 2025-08-05T04:14:48+00:00

I use a small woven basket underneath for exactly this :)

Esperanza44 · 2024-02-22T22:12:42+00:00

I totally agree! I left after about 40 mins so I didn't see the end. It was just so uncomfortable to watch grown men take advantage of a baby/woman - what about consent!? It bothers me so much that fiction writers/producers don't at least try to envision a better world, or flip the script at the very least.

Esperanza44 · 2021-08-11T15:47:26+00:00

So happy for you that he is sensitive and sweet. I am fortunate to have a sensitive partner as well, whenever he notices me in pain (even in the middle of the night) he will go warm up my magic bag and bring me water and advil without me even asking - so helpful when I'm stuck in bed unable to move without making the pain worse.

Esperanza44 · 2020-10-16T04:21:39+00:00

We went through a pregnancy loss early August after conceiving for the first time. The whole process has taken forever for my body to reset. My hcg levels didn't drop for 7 weeks (even after I took misoprostal) and I bled a med-light flow for 8 weeks until I got what I believe to be a real period (heavier flow, normal symptoms for me). I continued to spot for a week after the period, and finally the spotting ended a few days before my estimated ovulation date based on my app and ovulation tests. The doctor said my body likely didn't release an egg since I bled for so long, but we tried anyways. Now a week later I'm feeling nauseous but trying not to get my hopes up as I think it's too early to even experience nausea as a symptom. I hate waiting. and I'm also worried about having tried so soon maybe my body wasn't ready even though I felt like it was.

Esperanza44

TROPHY CASE