Just a notice here, I am out of "thanks", but I'm seeing posts I would normally like to thank. So shout out everyone.
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Originally Posted by FireFly
I don't think there's a one size fits all answer to this question. It depends on how busy your family is and what you value for involvement.
For example, perhaps some of these stay-at-home parents volunteer a lot, are on the Boards of all their kids activities, members of the PTA, etc. All of those things take time. It's not just about maintaining the physical household, it's about maintaining your family's lifestyle and whatever that entails as well.
The biggest problem is that people seem to undervalue the other things that a proper homemaker does.
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That's another thing. I don't agree with volunteerism as a regular scheduled thing to do. Your labour has value and you shouldn't give it away for free. If you're giving your time then get paid. If you're a homemaker and volunteering, your partner should get all the accolades for your volunteer hours because he's subsidizing you to do your little passion projects, but you're the one that smugly accepts all the gratitude for being such a "giver". Volunteers are the actual worst.
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Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers
Just to provide an alternative perspective, I have no interest in retiring. I know when I’m an old lump of coal I’ll be limited in my working ability, and I’ll prepare for that with savings accordingly. But I have no interest in burning myself out trying to make a specific amount of income to retire at a certain age. Especially since I’m certain I’d die before I got there.
Basically my outlook is to try to be responsible and cover ourselves for worst case situations, but otherwise arranging our lives on a year to year basis. Which includes less work for both of us, to enjoy our lives while young.
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That's fair, but I'm way too risk averse to live year to year. I try to plan generationally. I want to set things up with the goal of helping my kids and their kids because you never know what life can throw at you. I always look at Wal-Mart greeters or old people working beyond when they want to be and wonder what their spending/savings/working habits were when younger. I need to plan for my wife and I to live a long time and I want my kids to have financial security via me if necessary.