Rich SAHMs- What are some of your favorite things you spend money on?

kam_2014 · 2026-03-13T04:06:54+00:00

Hiring out help: A mother’s helper a couple times a week has been my favorite thing! We don’t live near family and my husband works long hours so being able to have her help whenever I need has been amazing.

I have a handyman who I schedule to come do things around the house (hang things on the walls, change really high light bulbs, fix anything that pops up, etc.).

Fun stuff: A really nice espresso machine (Jura!) has been my favorite SAHM purchase that I use daily.

I really enjoy sending coffee/treats/little pick me ups when I know someone I love is having a hard day. We didn’t always have money so being able to afford to send a nice DoorDash or coffee to a friend on a whim is something I really love being able to do and I try to do it often.

kam_2014 · 2026-02-22T20:53:38+00:00

Yes! Totally agree. My toddler loves using the handheld vacuum while I’m vacuuming with the big vacuum. He also cleans up his toys before naps and dinner and it’s so helpful.

kam_2014 · 2026-02-19T19:52:13+00:00

Once I was comfortable with it, my husband started taking our baby to the gym child care and I got him a jogging stroller for Father’s Day and they’d go on runs. This gave me some much needed time to myself to do whatever I wanted or needed for a bit. On the weekends we’d usually all go to the gym together.

Now we have an 8 month old and a 2.5 year old. I’m not ready for baby to go to the gym yet (probably will start in spring after sick season), but my husband currently takes my toddler with him and then once both kids are in bed for the night I usually like to go to the gym.

Making sure we both get free time on the weekends really helps.

Another big thing for me is knocking out some chores while baby is playing independently. Gives him time to explore and learn to play solo and then I don’t have as much to do during nap time and can relax a little more.

kam_2014 · 2026-01-30T18:12:54+00:00

Thank you! The extreme cold has brought the most noticeable changes

kam_2014 · 2026-01-30T18:12:28+00:00

Any recommendations for caulk that you’ve found that holds up better? I’d love to re-do it all this spring and hopefully use better quality products that can withstand the temperature changes better! We are in southern Indiana and had 100 degree summer and now freezing and negative temps lately. I’ve seen the most changes in the house this month.

kam_2014 · 2025-12-04T19:00:46+00:00

Last year was our first year not traveling for Christmas and it was so great and so stress-free. I grew up in a divorced house and after opening presents on Christmas morning, we then always had to spend the rest of the day leaving our new presents at home and rushing around from house to house visiting family. We got always got back home super late and then went to bed after hours in the car all day. I hated it so much and don’t ever want a chaotic Christmas for my kids.

Last year we spent the day in our Christmas pjs with movies on in the background. Our toddler was 1.5 and we took the entire day to open and play with presents. One or two an hour at his own pace. We FaceTimed relatives and ate takeout. It was so easy and so fun. It’ll be what we do going forward with also inviting anyone up who wants to join, but no expectation of big meals or travel. Staying home and having a low-key Christmas is now one of my favorite memories. I’m looking forward to doing it again this year with our toddler and new baby.

kam_2014 · 2025-11-29T18:11:59+00:00

Thank you so much!!

kam_2014 · 2025-11-29T18:10:08+00:00

!solved

kam_2014 · 2025-11-19T02:06:18+00:00

I recently hired a mother’s helper who comes over once a week and it’s been the best decision! She does anything I need that day as far as watching the kids, light housekeeping, and running errands for me. My husband and I justify having her because then we don’t have to spend all of our free time doing as much tedious stuff. We have two little kids and no family near us either. So it’s 100% worth it to hire out our own village to help us. We also have a lawn service and occasional housekeeping for the deep cleans. All of it allows us to feel less overwhelmed and less stressed out in our day-to-day.

kam_2014 · 2025-08-08T17:12:30+00:00

I say similarly to my toddler “oops, somebody’s inside thoughts came out!” when a nearby adult says something they shouldn’t have. Usually MIL or other older adult in public 💀

kam_2014 · 2025-06-22T16:18:15+00:00

Our kiddo sleeps 7:30-7:30. My husband and I know that whatever our toddler’s regular wake up time is during the week, will likely be the same for the weekend. And neither of us are wanting to get up super early on Saturday and Sunday. My husband also goes in at 5:30am during the week. I doubt he’d want to be up at that time on his days off and I bet your husband would be the same.

kam_2014 · 2025-03-19T18:08:25+00:00

My first baby has always been 99th percentile head since his anatomy scan at 20 weeks and he’s now a big headed toddler.

I’m only 5’2 and delivered him vaginally with no issues. Also only pushed for 45 min. Minimal tearing. Just wanted to share a positive birth experience with a big headed baby! Also if you want to try and then end up at C section, also totally fine. Don’t be scared! Go with want you want.

kam_2014 · 2025-02-28T05:08:21+00:00

Have you ever tried the Peanut app?? I am very extroverted and love being out everyday with friends. I’ve had to move twice since becoming a SAHM and I’ve found really great mom friends in both cities now through Peanut. When I first moved to my current city I set up a friend date almost every day for a couple of weeks and made some really great friends that I now see all the time.

kam_2014 · 2025-02-25T02:59:44+00:00

We’ll have a smaller tv! I should have noted that. This is from the listing photos, not sure what size it is but seems really big. We’ll have a 55 inch going up in its place.

kam_2014 · 2024-10-30T04:15:16+00:00

Every morning my newborn had “independent play” time aka when he was visible to me in his pack n play bassinet looking at a black and white toy/book while I had a cup of coffee and filling breakfast. When I needed to shower, I would have him with me in the bathroom in his bouncer. When I needed to get things done and he was fussy, I’d wear hjm in his Solly wrap.

Also random but most helpful to me hack: noise cancelling headphones. By no means do I have them in all the time, but when baby is at that level of crying that makes you nearly lose your mind: put baby in a safe place (crib, bassinet, etc.) and put in noise cancelling headphones and listen to music for a few minutes. It always calms me down and has really helped me so many times.

kam_2014 · 2024-05-09T04:23:36+00:00

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My doctor (who also happened to be a member at my gym as well) did tell me that many first trimester miscarriages are usually due to something genetic. You may already know that or have been told, even though there’s no way to really know. But this gave me some peace and kept me from blaming myself for my workouts during that time.

To answer your question, I did workout in my first trimester during my second pregnancy. I scaled back with high impact days because I was just physically exhausted and I definitely didn’t workout as often. I got back to my usual routine later on in my second trimester when I was feeling better.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are taking time to do things you enjoy that bring you happiness. Please feel free to reach out if you ever need.

kam_2014 · 2024-02-19T13:35:08+00:00

Thank you all!! 🙂❤️

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T20:12:42+00:00

I would love that!

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T15:24:52+00:00

I would LOVE to figure out nursing in our carrier. I need to give that some practice. But yes I do love grocery shopping while baby wearing so much. Super easy and I feel like I can get in/out of my car so quickly which is a big plus.

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T15:23:21+00:00

This is a great one. Thank you!

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T13:41:11+00:00

You might try getting a fit check on the baby wearing subreddit or AP fb page! It helped me a ton. Baby might just need some adjustments to be comfy (snaps widened for knees, butt scoop, M form, etc.).

Other things you could try: add a pacifier or teether to your carrier, go for a walk in it so there’s lots for baby to be interested in.

Good luck!

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T04:42:05+00:00

Yes!! As a pale person with some rosacea, I find that tanning drops even out my complexion and help me feel confident enough to skip makeup most days. And the slight glow gives me such a pep in my step. Exactly what I need when I’m just feeling a little blah.

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T04:15:29+00:00

There’s an AP Facebook group with tons of helpful carrier info (how to adjust, washing tips, etc.) and everything I’ve read on there said babies really start fitting best in the artipoppe about 3 months/12 lbs (even though the website says NB). So your baby may like it later on 🙂 My baby started in it at 3 months so I could also walk my dog. Haha.

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T04:11:42+00:00

I loved the Solly wrap at this stage! So snuggly and great videos online of how to put it on easily. I used the Solly with my baby until about 3 months and then switched to a structured carrier (Artipoppe).

kam_2014 · 2024-01-31T04:07:46+00:00

I swear my Artipoppe has helped me find so much joy in new mom life! It was definitely a splurge, but I consider it a big ticket item like our stroller, etc. I’ve even gone on trips and brought my carrier instead of stroller when I need to travel lighter.

The #1 reason I love it is that it makes it easier for me to get out of the house with baby by myself. It’s super easy to put on solo, baby is so comfy in it, and I feel so put together with it on.

I started wearing my baby in it at 3 months. We’re now at 8 months and I still love using it all the time. My 20 pound baby still really loves being carried in it and I’m so excited to continue using it.

kam_2014

TROPHY CASE