Do you ever stop and wonder how your money and time spending habits changed after having kids? I do, and here is what I realized.

Before having kids, I shopped at pricy boutiques. I would buy a dress or shoes for $200 to $300. Sales racks were the embarrassing spot of the store for me. After having children, I shop at average-priced boutiques and go straight to the sales rack. I now feel stupid if I buy clothes at full price.

Before having kids, I bought $10 shampoos and made fun of my mother for buying Vo5 for $1.49. After having kids, I ask my mother how I can save on toiletries and I now buy V05 shampoo. I see no difference.

Before having kids, I went out for dinner to pricy restaurants in New York City, spent $500 a night, and not care.  haven’t been to a pricy restaurant since my daughter was born in September 2007. My nanny is now my pricy restaurant.

Before having kids, I would go to a fancy hair salon and spend $100 on a haircut and $200 on highlights. After having children I found an excellent hairdresser that only charges $20 for a haircut and I look just as good. No more highlights.

Before having kids, I only knew how to make omelets and went out for dinner every other day. After having children, I learned to make healthy dinners in under an hour.

Before having kids, I spent weekend mornings sleeping until 10 a.m. and never rushed to get housework done. After having children ,I start my day on weekends at 7:30 a.m. and I rush to get the kids fed, wash the dishes, and do some housework.

Before having children, I spent couple of hours in the afternoon watching TV and that didn’t bother me at all. I still had plenty of time for other things. After having children I am lucky if I watch 30 minutes of TV a day, if that. My son now watches all the TV. God forbid I switch from a cartoon to adult (I don’t mean X rated) channel. He will nag me and I have no energy to fight, I just give in.

What are some of the things that changed for you?

Filed under: Balancing Act