Happy or unhappy marriage? One or two incomes?

[luvmy2sams]

After 15.5 years together (11 of them married) and 2 small kiddos, DH and I are still happily surviving on one income.

 

[floridafam]

Happy, married, 3 kids, 1 income.

 

[olena]

Married – 1 income – mostly happy

 

[katerkat]

We've done two incomes, 1.5 incomes (I worked part-time) and 1 income, and we're happy. Each stage has been a different kind of happiness, but I think I liked 1.5 incomes the best. I felt like I was contributing to the income, but not so much that I was stressed. However, the costs of daycare are way too much to allow me to go back part-time right now.

 

[froglady]

2 incomes, seperating as of the end of this month


Interesting poll, not sure how much it has to do with incomes, consistenetly anyway. Dh and I don't make a ton, but we don't really argue over money at all.

The OP stated that she knew of 5 couples splitting up, and all of them were 1 income families. I guess she's wondering if couples with 1 income are more likely to divorce than couples where both spouses work, and started a poll to see if it was the case, at least among the Dis?

I think that divorce, for a variety of reasons, is so common in our society that it's impossible to point to one factor.

However, I do feel that a marriage where the spouses are not on the same page about how their family is going to function, both emotionally and economically, is going to be an unhappy one.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Happy

We were 2 income until I took a buyout a few months ago. I still get a monthly check, but it's about 1/10th of what he makes. I also took 3 one year maternity leaves.

I haven't noticed any difference in how we get along whether I'm working or not.

 

[GoofItUp]

Married, 2 incomes, and COMPLETELY happy! We've been DINKS for almost 8 married years, but just found out we're expecting. So, I have 8.5 months of work left until I'm a SAHM. That was always our plan if we got pregnant. I don't think it will effect my marital happiness, but I will miss my multiple vacations a year! We're going to spend the next 8.5 months remembering how to live on less (we were married for our last year of college so we've experienced it before) and should have a nice savings at the end of it!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Blissfully happy - with 2 incomes.

 

[FullStride]

Self made millionaire.....retired living the good life. Eat your heart out!!!!!

The only thing I'm missing is my own set of teeth.

 

[Pooh67_68]

1 income, very happy.

 

[minijeanie]

curious as to all those who marked "happy" and are reall not!!

guess we will never know

 

[rhanditresmom]

We are pretty happy, with 2 incomes. I did like it when I wasn't working, but I got bored once both kids were in school so I decided to go back to school and go to work.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Happily married, 37 years this July, one income family.

 

[jimmiej]

Very happy & a 2 income family.

ditto

 

[m&m's mom]

Very happy 2 income w/ 2 Elementary school aged kids.
If either of us did not work there is a very good chance the others marital satisfaction would go down.
DH and I work in similar fields and really use each other as sounding boards for ideas. I am not sure I would ever hear my DH talk again. Think strong silent type.

 

[mamacatnv]

Married for 19 years, 2 kids and 2 incomes, one for each kid
and 1 housekeeper to keep the health dept. at bay

Happily married at the moment, ask me tomorrow
Actually, like most long term marriages we have had our moments/months and yes even the occassional bad year or so thrown in for good measure.

Divorce has never been an option for me, my spouse is not abusive, a drunk, a gambler, an adulterer or subject to any other destructive habits (all very good reasons in my book).

There is however his fondness for Ebay and Home Depot...... I am sure there is a 12 step program for him

We both work really hard at our marriage and I can say without hesitation that we are happy.

I think divorce is so complicated and it is hard to put a finger on what the true problems really are.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Happy, married almost 11 years, 1 income for the last 9 years.

 

[Tracey1974]

Happily married for the most part- some days are not so good but the majority of them are.

2 incomes- I work 32 hours/week so I am off on Fridays. It was the only way I would go back to work and thankfully it is working out so far.

 

[momrek06]

HAPPILY MARRIED, ONE INCOME, WE OWN OUR OWN BUSINESS!

DH & DW & DS all work at the business 6 days a week 10 hrs a day. (winters are quieter) (spring, summer, fall CRAZY)

2DS'

ONE DS in college (20)
ONE DS in masters program (23)

MARRIED 25 1/2 years!!!

 

[cindrelly31]

Happy Two Income (hope to become one this year or early next year). We just adopted a beautiful little girl. Have been together 16 years, married for 10 1/2 of them. Love my DH more everyday.