[USER]

I’m a stay at home dad. Wife and I want to do the ole’ switcheroo where she comes back home but her high income is too much to replace with my previous W2 work.

She earns over $200k and we pile aggressively into HSA and 401k and spend most of the rest. (We’re making cuts, but dang things got expensive!)

If we can’t afford to execute the switcheroo, we’d love to be accelerating the FI date with some side hustles.

Perhaps those side businesses could grow and cover her current salary later down the line.

Eventually, she and I would enjoy working on our own small business(es) together.

I have time during each day as a SAHD, but not a lot. I can definitely move things along but not sit and work for hours.

I can make time in the evenings. Oldest is in elementary school, youngest is 2.

I’m enrolled in Amazon affiliates and can earn on site commissions. I’m trying to spend more time on that.
What other side or primary businesses do yall think might be worth looking in to?

We do have fully funded emergency fund cash, but would be hesitant to take much risk with it.

My previous work was process engineering, BSME, 7 yrs experience including a brief stint as an eng manager at the end which went well.

I’m more interpersonal than the stereotypical engineer.

I’m smart enough to earn an engineering degree and to figure most things out eventually, and humble and hardworking enough to wipe butts and cook/clean all day. So literally no idea is off the table.

Thanks!

[Melissa]

We have a similar set up. My hubby was a CAD designer and has used those skills to build a woodworking business.

He has a CNC machine in the garage, as well as an Etsy store.

It’s not going to replace my income, but it’s a good side hustle that we will continue to grow and keep him busy when our youngest (2) starts school full time.

[Cassidi]

I run an e-commerce business that allows me to still basically function as a SAHM.

[Rise]

The first thing I’d do is get out the spreadsheets. If you’re not in a super high cost of living area, get your expenses down to 1/3 to half of your income.

You can fund your Roth and her Roth, as well as her 401k and HSA.

If you do get a side hustle going, you’ll want to open a Sep account or solo 401k.

Could you go back to engineering while your wife stays home?
Can you move to a lower cost of living state?

Could you accept both of you working when your youngest turns three or at some point, just for a few years?

Better to find ways to save now, so if you brought in more income, it doesn’t disappear.

[Sierra]

If you’re interested, you can provide childcare for another family.

I did this for a while as a SAHM; extra kiddo just tags along for what you’re already doing day to day.

[Stefanie]

Become a plumber, make your own hours. Work weekends and emergency nights.

Seriously, their fees have doubled in 5 years.

[Christina]

My husband and paid off all of our debt and then moved from a MCOL area to a LCOL area so that I could leave a high income job and prioritize motherhood.

We also saved up a years worth of living expenses (in addition to our 6 month emergency fund).

We figured we’re scrappy enough that we could figure something out in that time. This ultimately resulted in a household pay cut of about 60%.

That was 5 years ago this July. I supplement some by doing Financial and Business Coaching which brings in about $50k a year.

I could make more, but my #1 priorities are the kids and running our life.

I’m confident you could charge well as a process consultant to small business owners.

[Karen]

Look at your local community college at their trade skill programs. Could you be a home inspector or learn graphic design or drafting? Look at your local SCORE program and start a small business.

Something that interests you that can be done remotely or part time on a flexible schedule is ideal.

I think there is a huge need for a good Handyman business.

You don’t have to perform all the jobs yourself if you set up a company and manage a few handymen to do the jobs and your role is booking work and invoicing etc.

Think of things that have no set hours, no brick and mortar but are a service business and then really target a few nearby neighborhoods to serve.

Most service providers try to serve too large of any area and that eats up a lot of travel time.

[Liezel]

Life insurance and investment services. You would need to get a life and health license with your state.

If you’d like to make similar or more than what your wife makes, that would be a broker track.

You would need to get securities licensed.

[Mia]

Residential real estate/long term rentals if your market supports it. I’ve been a SAHM for 10 years and manage ours as my PT income.

[Peter]

Can you consult on the side? That’d probably be the best time for money. Particularly if you could do project based, so it’s not fixed hours.

I have no idea how that works in process engineering, just throwing it out there.

[Roxanne]

With an engineering background, could you do contract design work (like SolidWorks, CAD, etc.)

[Sara]

Start “daddy” classes. Teach other men how to do girls hair, change diapers, activities to do when they have the kids, etc.

Moms would love a break & I bet the dad’s would love networking with other dads!

[Author]

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