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How to Win at Family Finances with a Single Income

Admin • February 2, 2024

Deciding to have one spouse stay home with the kids while the other spouse works is a big decision. While there are many benefits for your family, it also means living on a single income. For many families, this transition can be challenging from a financial perspective. However, with some planning, lifestyle adjustments, and clever strategies, you can thrive on one income — even with kids! 

So let’s explore the dynamics of single-income households, talk about some helpful financial planning tips, and review the key strategies for thriving as a single-income family. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or a working parent, understanding the financial implications and planning ahead is crucial for a secure future.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Single Income

Managing a household on a single income, whether due to choice or circumstance, comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. 

Advantages of a Single-Income Family:

  1. Quality Time with Family: In a single-income household, one parent can devote more time to family activities and child-rearing, strengthening family bonds and creating lasting memories.
  2. Streamlined Lifestyle: With a single income, families often become more intentional about spending, focusing on needs over wants, which can lead to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
  3. Flexibility for Pursuing Passions: For the stay-at-home parent, having a single income can open doors to explore personal passions, hobbies, or even side businesses without the constant pressure of a 9-to-5 job.
  4. Potential Cost Savings : With one parent staying home, the cost savings for childcare can be huge! According to ValuePenguin , the average cost in the United States for full-time childcare for one child is $9,991 per year. Depending on your state, that cost could be even higher.  

Disadvantages of a Single-Income Family:

  1. Financial Strain: The most apparent challenge is the financial strain that can potentially come with relying on a single income. Budgeting becomes crucial to make ends meet and plan for future goals.
  2. Dependency on One Income Source: Single-income households are more vulnerable to economic downturns, job loss, or unexpected expenses. Diversifying income streams becomes essential for financial security.
  3. Career Sacrifices: The working parent (particularly in a single-parent situation) may face limitations in career advancement or opportunities for professional growth due to the primary focus on family responsibilities.

Tips for Thriving on a Single Income 

Thriving on a single income requires careful financial management and planning. Whether you’re a working parent with a stay-at-home spouse or a single parent living on one income, here are some tips to help you thrive in a single-income household:

Evaluate Your Budget and Expenses

First things first: Take a good, hard look at your family’s budget and expenses. Where is your money going each month? Are there areas you can cut back in order to save? Even minor lifestyle tweaks can make a difference. 

For example, can you cut your grocery bill by meal planning, using coupons, or buying generic brands? Evaluating every expense and analyzing if there are wiser financial alternatives is essential.

Use a Budgeting System

Get serious about budgeting, and find a system that works best for your family. Popular options include the 50/30/20 budget, zero-based budget, the reverse budget , and the envelope system. While budgeting takes some time upfront, committing to a plan is crucial.

Stick To Needs vs Wants  

When money is not as plentiful, it’s critical to differentiate between needs and wants across all spending categories. Focus household spending on true needs — food, housing, transportation, utilities, insurance, debt payments, healthcare, etc. 

Wants like dining out, vacations, new gadgets, and hobbies may need to take a backseat. Create limits for discretionary categories until your income increases. Focus on spending on essential needs to help your one-income household thrive.

Lower Transportation Costs 

Getting around is likely your second biggest budget line item behind housing. So, put your transportation costs under the microscope as well. Could your family manage well on one car instead of two? Can you downsize to a more economical used car? Is public transportation a reasonable option for commuting? What about biking places when the weather permits, or carpooling with other families? 

Gas prices and car maintenance add up quickly. So, rethinking your transportation strategy can lead to significant monthly savings.

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions 

As a single-income family, take advantage of all the tax deductions and credits available to you to reduce your taxable income as much as possible each year. As the sole breadwinner, deductions your working spouse can take might include a portion of your mortgage interest, property taxes, student loan interest, and medical expenses. 

Many child-related tax benefits (state and federal) have increased in recent years, providing extra relief for single-income families trying to make ends meet. Make sure to keep good records to claim these deductions and credits. Every little bit helps!

Create New Income Streams  

While one spouse may provide the primary income, getting creative about bringing in secondary streams can significantly help ease the financial burden. Exploring opportunities for additional income from a side hustle can provide extra financial support. So explore your skills and interests to see if you can put them to work for your family.

Find Community Support

 

It can feel isolating and overwhelming at times to live on a single income. Connecting with others who “get it” is tremendously helpful. Join online groups of one-income families to swap money-saving tips and encouragement. Meet up with local stay-at-home parent groups for moral support, too.

 

Don’t Forget the Future

It’s essential to also plan for the future. Building a robust emergency fund is crucial to weather unexpected financial challenges — plan for three to six months’ worth of expenses in your emergency fund.

Remember to also add to a retirement account. Small, automatic deductions from each paycheck invested over decades can lead to significant gains. Even if only one spouse works, the non-working spouse can usually contribute to an IRA. Check with your financial advisor for special rules that may apply.

Also, consider the potential of passive income streams down the road, such as rental properties or monetizing a hobby. These additional income streams can also help to build your retirement funds.

Let Five Pine Help Your Finances Thrive

 

Living on one income will require adjustments to your family’s lifestyle and spending patterns. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we’ll work with you to develop a financial plan that will help you thrive and achieve your long-term financial goals on a single-family income. As fiduciary financial advisors, we are dedicated to acting in your best interest, offering guidance specific to your circumstances. To schedule a meeting, send an email or call us at 877.333.1015. Let us help you create a fulfilling life for yourself and your family.

 

The Millennial Advantage: How to Use Your Generation’s Strengths to Build Wealth

March 28, 2025
Despite always hearing about the aging of America and the baby boomer generation, did you know the millennial generation is actually the largest age group in the country? Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials outnumber baby boomers post-WW2, with about 72.2 million millennials in the United States, as of 2023. The media often highlights millennials' financial challenges: mountainous student loan debt, a competitive job market, unaffordable housing, and credit card debt. There’s no doubt it’s been more challenging for millennials to save and gain a stable financial foothold compared to previous generations. Yet despite these hurdles, millennials have financial opportunities available to them that previous generations did not. Millennials came of age with the rise of the internet and advances in technology; they’re digital natives, incredibly tech-savvy, and well-positioned to master the digital era they live in. Millennials’ unique position in history gives them advantages when it comes to investing, starting a business, and increasing their financial literacy. Millennials and Investing Millennials are changing the game when it comes to investing—innovative financial platforms and investment products have helped to evolve the investment landscape, and have made investing more accessible than ever before. As a millennial, embracing this innovation can help move you closer to achieving your goals and building a financially secure future. Impact Investing Millennials are known for being socially conscious with their spending and supporting brands and companies that align with their values. This desire to make a difference often extends into their investments—intentionally choosing to invest in companies that reflect their values and promote the causes they support. Through impact investing, you can support positive global change while also working toward your financial goals. Impact investing can be done through investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment funds, or through pursuing a strategy of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). ESG funds focus on businesses that have strong environmental policies, social impact initiatives, and good governance. These funds have become increasingly popular with investors, like millennials, who want to support companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. SRI focuses on investing in companies that promote environmental sustainability, social justice, and corporate ethics. SRI can also exclude investing in companies that engage in activities that are considered negative or harmful—tobacco, alcohol, fossil fuels, firearms, or the defense industry. Cryptocurrencies and Decentralized Finance Cryptocurrencies are newer investment frontiers that techie millennials can be more comfortable exploring than older generations. Crypto such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are digital currencies that operate on blockchain technology , which provides increased transparency and security. Crypto investments can be risky, but can also offer high rewards. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms also leverage the security and transparency of blockchain technology to offer decentralized financial services and transactions. DeFi platforms provide opportunities for lending and investing without traditional intermediaries like banks and other centralized institutions. For millennials, DeFi represents a cutting-edge way to engage with financial services and they can offer more control and potentially higher returns than traditional methods. The Power of Time One of the biggest advantages millennials have when it comes to investing is time. If you start investing early, you can benefit from compound interest and long-term investments, which can significantly boost your returns and help increase your wealth. Compound interest is the process where the interest you earn on an investment is reinvested, which generates more interest. The longer your money is invested, the more it can grow. Even small, consistent contributions to your investment portfolio can accumulate substantial wealth over time. Having a long-term investment horizon allows you to ride out market volatility, and capitalize on growth over time. By not reacting to short-term market fluctuations, you can achieve more stable returns. Long-term investing is a powerful tool that can help you build a secure financial future. Millennial Entrepreneurship This generation’s core characteristics set them apart as innovators and business creators. As digital natives, millennials have a strong grasp of technology which allows them to leverage digital tools such as social media marketing, e-commerce tools, and data analytic platforms to grow their businesses exponentially. You’ve likely seen peers thrive in their ventures through their use of social media, which has become a critical tool for marketing, brand building, and customer engagement. Community-building is also highly valued among this generation—the use of LinkedIn alone helps entrepreneurs connect with fellow collaborators, business owners, and mentors. Similar to aligning your investments with your values, you can easily integrate your ethical beliefs into your business ventures. Ethical business practices such as developing eco-friendly products, creating an inclusive workplace culture, and advocating for fair trade processes can make a positive impact and build loyal customer bases. Millennials and Financial Literacy The millennial generation has more resources than ever to increase their financial literacy. Free online finance courses are easy to access, readily available, and enable you to educate yourself so that you can make smart financial decisions to help you achieve your goals. Personal finance apps like Mint and YNAB (You Need a Budget) can also increase your financial literacy by helping you understand and manage your finances more effectively. They offer features like budget tracking, expense management, and financial goal setting to help you be in full control of your finances. Finance apps make it easier for you to stay on top of your financial health and make informed decisions in managing your money. Work with Us to Reach Your Goals  Ever-evolving technology has transformed the financial landscape significantly over the last few decades and millennials are more prepared to take advantage of that transformation than any generation before them. While you can take charge of your finances on your own, working with a financial advisor can help you find your path and stay the course of your journey toward financial security. Financial advisors can provide advice that is tailored to your individual circumstances, to better meet your unique needs and objectives. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we’re committed to helping you create a customized financial plan and investment strategy to help you reach your current and future goals. As fiduciary financial advisors, we always act in your best interest in every step we take with you on your financial journey. We also offer virtual financial planning for millennials looking to fit financial planning into their own schedules. To see if we can help you, email us or give us a call at 877.333.1015 today to schedule a meeting.

Just Got a Raise? Implement These 5 New Strategic Wealth Opportunities

March 21, 2025
Getting a raise is an exciting moment in your career and financial journey. Maybe you’ve gone through an executive-level position change and received a 10% pay bump or an internal promotion yielded you an additional 15%. Regardless of how you got your raise, you’re now in a unique position to move the needle on your long-term financial goals (and maybe splurge a little, too). But before you pull the trigger on that major purchase you’ve been eyeing, it’s important to have a long-term plan for the extra money in your paychecks. Even a significant raise can erode quickly if you suddenly upgrade your home, start vacationing like a celebrity, or snap up that Mercedes you’ve been eyeing. Below are our top five strategic wealth opportunities for you to consider the next time you receive a raise. First Things First: Understand Your New Numbers A 10% or 20% raise may sound like a huge boost, but not all that money will land in your bank account. Before making any financial moves, it’s important to calculate your new take-home increase after taxes and contributions. For example, if you receive a $25,000 raise on a $175,000 salary, you might expect $2,083 more per month. However, after accounting for federal taxes, state taxes, and other deductions, your actual monthly increase might be closer to $1,500. Knowing your actual take-home pay helps you set realistic expectations and make informed financial decisions. Getting a Raise: 5 New Strategic Wealth Opportunities For high-income earners, getting a raise isn’t just more spending power—it’s an opportunity to build lasting wealth while minimizing taxes. Instead of falling into lifestyle creep, consider these five wealth-building strategies to maximize your higher income. 1. Grow: Maximize Tax-Efficient Investment Opportunities With your increased income, you now have more opportunities to maximize tax-advantaged accounts and investment vehicles. For 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 to your 401(k), plus an additional $7,500 if you're 50 or older. If you weren't maxing out your contributions before, your raise provides an excellent opportunity to reach these limits. Let's say you direct $750 of your new monthly take-home pay to your 401(k). You not only build retirement savings but could save approximately $2,160 in federal taxes annually if you're in the 24% tax bracket. Consider increasing your retirement and investment contributions by the same percentage as your raise. For example, if you receive a 10% raise, aim to increase your contributions by 10% of that raise. This incremental adjustment will help ensure you can maintain the lifestyle you're accustomed to when you retire. 2. Save: Optimize Tax Strategies to Reduce Liabilities A higher income often means entering new tax brackets, making tax efficiency more crucial than ever. Without proper planning, you might find a significant portion of your raise going to Uncle Sam instead of building wealth. Consider switching to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) for your family, which can lower your premiums while giving you access to a Health Savings Account (HSA). In 2025, you can contribute up to $8,550 for family coverage , potentially saving around $2,000 annually in taxes. Additionally, the money in your HSA grows tax-free and can be withdrawn for qualified medical expenses without tax liability. 3. Diversify: Explore Alternative Investments A higher income can open the door to new investment opportunities, allowing you to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Alternative investments like real estate investment trusts (REITs) can provide exposure to different asset classes, potentially offering both passive income and long-term appreciation. These types of investments often move independently of the stock market, helping to balance overall portfolio risk. They can also offer lower barriers to entry compared to direct property ownership or other traditional alternatives. The key is to align your investments with your risk tolerance and liquidity needs while taking advantage of opportunities that complement your existing strategy. 4. Strengthen: Build Your Estate With more income comes greater potential for building generational wealth. Investing half of your $25,000 raise annually for 20 years with a 7% return could add over $500,000 to your estate. This makes it essential to have proper structures in place for efficient wealth transfer. To ensure your wealth transfers efficiently, consider: Trusts to protect assets and minimize estate taxes Life insurance strategies for wealth preservation Family-limited partnerships for multi-generational wealth planning These structures become increasingly valuable as your wealth grows. 5. Impact: Upgrade Your Philanthropy & Social Impact There's something powerful about reaching a place in life where you can give back meaningfully. Beyond the personal satisfaction of a higher income, this new chapter brings an opportunity to create lasting positive change in your community and the causes closest to your heart. Maybe you still remember the community college professor who believed in you when you weren't sure about your path. Now, twenty years later, by creating a donor-advised fund (DAF) to support student scholarships, you're not just making education more accessible—you're giving another student their own life-changing mentor. By thoughtfully structuring your charitable giving through vehicles like DAFs or qualified charitable distributions from retirement accounts, you can maximize both the impact of your generosity and the tax benefits that come with it. After all, effective philanthropy isn't just about giving money away—it's about creating meaningful change in the ways that matter most to you. Red Flags: Top Signs of Lifestyle Creep While getting a $25,000 raise provides excellent opportunities for wealth building, it's important to avoid (too much) lifestyle creep. That upgraded car lease might cost an extra $200 monthly, the bigger house another $800 in mortgage payments, and the premium credit card's annual vacation package another $400 monthly in travel costs. Before you know it, your entire raise can get absorbed by new expenses. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your hard work, the key is being intentional about which lifestyle upgrades truly matter to you. Here are some common warning signs that lifestyle creep might be eroding your raise: Your monthly expenses rise automatically with your income You upgrade multiple lifestyle aspects at once (housing, car, travel, dining) Your savings rate remains unchanged despite higher earnings Luxury spending becomes your new normal Your cash reserves aren’t growing despite a higher paycheck Instead of automatically increasing spending across the board, take time to identify the one or two changes that would bring the most joy and fulfillment to your life. Then, invest the rest. Put Your New Money to Work with Five Pine Wealth While these strategies focus on wealth building, don't forget to invest in yourself through continued education, health, and meaningful experiences. The key is finding the right balance between growing your wealth and enjoying the fruits of your success. Whether you've recently received a raise or are anticipating one soon, having a plan in place can help you maximize this opportunity. Our team can help you evaluate which of these strategies would work best for your unique situation and create a customized plan to help you reach your financial goals. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we can help you implement these strategies in a way that aligns with your personal goals and values. To learn more about making the most of your increased income, schedule a meeting with us. Email us at info@fivepinewealth.com or call us at 877.333.1015.  Let's work together to transform your raise into lasting wealth.
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