Greetings! I am new to this forum. I'm currently a SAHM in my 40's with a working husband. I left the workforce over a year ago to care for my young preschooler. Child was in daycare near my workplace and I had a long commute that I traveled with my kid. I was hoping to stick it out enough to put more money away so DH and I could both RE, but I just couldn't do it. I'm not much of a multi-tasker. I wasn't much of a parent or a worker. DH was actually the one that thought I should leave. Who am I to argue? I have to say, it's been nice having a parent at home. DH has been relieved of most of the household duties so his life is easier too.
We have a pretty good nest egg built up, but we're not quite there yet, at least according to FIRECalc. Maybe in 3-5 years? This is dependent on HI costs. Our lifestyle is modest, but my focus is trying to put away as much money as possible, just in case DH comes home one night and says he's had enough. Or maybe he'll be laid off and will have trouble getting new work given his age.
Sometimes I wonder if leaving work was the best decision. Maybe I should have tried harder to look for a job with a closer commute? Maybe I should have just stuck it out for five years or so? I don't really have in demand skills. I was an admin for a system that no longer exists. I'm not interested in going back to school at my age (I just don't think the ROI is there). Plus, I don't think the prospects are all that great in tech for people in their 40's. In the back of my mind I thought I could get PT work when the kiddo goes to school FT (in 2 years). I think that may just be a pipedream though. There don't seem to be a lot of PT jobs available during school hours only, especially for people with stagnant skills.
We have a pretty good nest egg built up, but we're not quite there yet, at least according to FIRECalc. Maybe in 3-5 years? This is dependent on HI costs. Our lifestyle is modest, but my focus is trying to put away as much money as possible, just in case DH comes home one night and says he's had enough. Or maybe he'll be laid off and will have trouble getting new work given his age.
Sometimes I wonder if leaving work was the best decision. Maybe I should have tried harder to look for a job with a closer commute? Maybe I should have just stuck it out for five years or so? I don't really have in demand skills. I was an admin for a system that no longer exists. I'm not interested in going back to school at my age (I just don't think the ROI is there). Plus, I don't think the prospects are all that great in tech for people in their 40's. In the back of my mind I thought I could get PT work when the kiddo goes to school FT (in 2 years). I think that may just be a pipedream though. There don't seem to be a lot of PT jobs available during school hours only, especially for people with stagnant skills.