I am a full time SAHM, I am lucky in that dh makes good money, but we still stick to a budget every fortnight (he gets paid fortnightly which does make it harder IMO). We actually called all our service providers (elect, phone etc) and we pay a certain amount each fortnight for the bills, we pay rates and water rates this way too (it stops you from getting a massive bill all at once). We pay our car insurance in one go so it doesn't take up any extra money each month, we only get 6months rego at a time (it doesn't cost extra and it works for us), we go grocery shopping once per fortnight (except fresh fruit and vegies which is every few days). We also manage to save quite a bit each fortnight too, it goes into another bank account as soon as dh gets paid and we don't miss it. We are also entitled to some money from centrelink each fortnight (we usually buy nappies and wipes in bulk with this money).

It is doable, but some sacrafices must be made: we don't go out very often (its cheaper to have a night at a friends place for a bbq or a karaoke night at our place), we only go to the shops if really needed, we put things on layby instead of buying them straight out and one big thing is WE DO NOT HAVE CREDIT CARDS!! this stops us buying things on credit and having another bill come in. If we can't afford it buy it, we save for it or layby it - NO FINANCE.

But in saying all this, don't feel guilty about going to work, it is difficult I know, but some ppl just don't have a choice and they have to go to work and put their kids in care. Is it possible for you to stay home while you find the right child care for your ds and transition him into it?