- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Score Board
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- SEC Score Board
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Guys with young families, how much money do you spend on yourself?
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:41 am
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:41 am
I have a wife and a few young kids and obviously the financial stresses that come from raising a family are well known and involve sacrificing things that would otherwise do. How do you balance taking care of your family financially with continuing to do things you enjoy for yourself? For example myself, I enjoy playing golf and smoking cigars. But these are not exactly cheap hobbies so I do feel a little guilty when I do them, but also feel you do have to take care of yourself and continue doing things you enjoy. How are you balancing this?
21
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:45 am to T1gerNate
Wants? $0
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:48 am to T1gerNate
My wife and I are fortunate to have good jobs and strong financial resources. We don’t live near family, which increases our expenditures on school/babysitting/etc. So, maybe our circumstances are slightly different.
But, Life is short, man. Obviously don’t spend money you don’t have, but as men, we need to take care of ourselves sometimes, too.
ETA: as another poster below me also stated, carving out time to go to the gym is a huge part of my day. Some gyms also have child drop off care included (or a small added fee), but that is a routine that is good for everyone.
But, Life is short, man. Obviously don’t spend money you don’t have, but as men, we need to take care of ourselves sometimes, too.
ETA: as another poster below me also stated, carving out time to go to the gym is a huge part of my day. Some gyms also have child drop off care included (or a small added fee), but that is a routine that is good for everyone.
This post was edited on 10/5/25 at 7:52 am
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:48 am to T1gerNate
Basically $0
Once you have kids, many of your hobbies which take up time and /or $ go away. Especially those that are both time and money.
I have a 12 year old and just recently started picking up some hobby I let go when she was born.
Once you have kids, many of your hobbies which take up time and /or $ go away. Especially those that are both time and money.
I have a 12 year old and just recently started picking up some hobby I let go when she was born.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:48 am to T1gerNate
My gym membership has been the most fruitful, the mid-day lifting sessions have a high ROI.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 7:59 am to T1gerNate
$0 until we had the resources that wouldn’t make me feel guilty.
It’s not hard.
It’s God, family, others, myself, in that order.
I just need me time, is the battle cry of a self absorbed candyass.
It’s not hard.
It’s God, family, others, myself, in that order.
I just need me time, is the battle cry of a self absorbed candyass.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:02 am to T1gerNate
I have boys and tried golf lessons and they didn't like it. So I paid for their music lessons at 5 years old, put them in youth sports and cub scouts. Their activities became my activities (i was a volunteer leader, refed games, etc.). I love golf but it takes too much time to play, although I would play 9 holes at the local muni-course (carrying my bag so I get exercise) before work with some co-workers. And go work out at the gym while they're sleeping.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:07 am to RedlandsTiger
Not a dad, but....
.... resonated with me. Room mom at the elementary school, teacher at Sunday school, coordinator and puppeteer at wednesday night children's church activities, etc...
quote:
Their activities became my activities
.... resonated with me. Room mom at the elementary school, teacher at Sunday school, coordinator and puppeteer at wednesday night children's church activities, etc...
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:11 am to T1gerNate
I’ve put off buying a gas powered leaf blower all summer long. I used a damn broom.
I’ve got a wedding to pay for an my sweet soon-to-be- step daughter had a $100 dollar Homecoming Mum though. The fiancé spent a lot of time making it and I just financed it. The step daughter loved it so it was worth it but I’ll get that damn blower in the off season.
I’ve got a wedding to pay for an my sweet soon-to-be- step daughter had a $100 dollar Homecoming Mum though. The fiancé spent a lot of time making it and I just financed it. The step daughter loved it so it was worth it but I’ll get that damn blower in the off season.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:11 am to RedlandsTiger
Try a hobby that actually reduces the cost of living ? Growing a garden is becoming a lost art. No matter the reason you grow a garden , you get all the benefits. Some physical activity, self reliance, cost saving on food, better nutrition, helping the environment. It's also easy to get the children involved too. You can also get into preserving via water bath or pressure canning and take it to the next level.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:14 am to T1gerNate
My golfing really dwindled since it takes so much time. It wasn’t really a cost issue.
Take this advice, do what you need to keep your sanity but spend time with your kids when they’re young. One day they’ll be teenagers and not interested in doing stuff with dad. As that happens you’ll have plenty of time to get back into those things. Little kids are awesome.
Take this advice, do what you need to keep your sanity but spend time with your kids when they’re young. One day they’ll be teenagers and not interested in doing stuff with dad. As that happens you’ll have plenty of time to get back into those things. Little kids are awesome.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:16 am to T1gerNate
quote:
How do you balance taking care of your family financially with continuing to do things you enjoy for yourself?
Have a good job and make a lot of money.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:17 am to SquatchDawg
quote:
Take this advice, do what you need to keep your sanity but spend time with your kids when they’re young. One day they’ll be teenagers and not interested in doing stuff with dad. As that happens you’ll have plenty of time to get back into those things. Little kids are awesome.
The above is very true... the time between a toddler and a teenager is much shorter than you ever think it will be. Might seem like eternity in the moment sometimes, but blink once and it's gone.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:19 am to T1gerNate
I try to limit my cocaine and hookers to 10% of take home pay. Anything more than that I feel is just selfish
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:21 am to supadave3
quote:
buying a gas powered leaf blower
Get the electric instead
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:22 am to T1gerNate
This is something I will be interested in. Wife and I both make pretty good money (150k+) and I tend to be the more extravagant of the the two of us. That being said, I doubt I'll spend more than say 5k a year on nice shite and guns.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:25 am to T1gerNate
I have a side gig that contributes to family things and bills but I set aside a little for myself. It varies depending on how busy I am with it.
My hobby is shooting and I'm getting back into hunting with both my son and wife this year.
My hobby is shooting and I'm getting back into hunting with both my son and wife this year.
This post was edited on 10/5/25 at 8:29 am
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:26 am to Bama and Beer
quote:
I have a side gig that contributes to family things and bills but I set aside a little for myself. It varies depending on who busy I am with it.
I have done that most of my life. Hell, Im 58, pretty well established and I still do it
Nothing wrong with it at all.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:29 am to T1gerNate
Gym membership and later metal therapists. Other than that, nothing until they got into their late teens.
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:29 am to T1gerNate
My brother makes good money. His wife stays home and doesn't work.
He buys himself whatever he wants and his kids wear WalMart rags.
He is a greedy bastard that way.
He buys himself whatever he wants and his kids wear WalMart rags.
He is a greedy bastard that way.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News