Oneitiscel
Failed Jestermaxxx LDAR Extraordinaire
★★★★★
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2018
- Posts
- 7,030
- Online time
- 3d 20h
I Hit The Jackpot With The Tradwife Lifestyle Until it All Came Crashing Down
"I began creating the white picket fence life I thought I wanted. We even started homeschooling. If I was going to be home all day anyway, why not?"
Throughout my first marriage — in our early 20s — my husband and I muddled through, three young children in tow, making the best life we could. We eventually divorced, I became a single mom, and a bit more muddling ensued.
Then I remarried.
When I became pregnant with my youngest — with older kids in public school — my “advanced maternal age” and medical history made the pregnancy high risk. We agreed that I should quit my job.
I became a master of pinning craft ideas on Pinterest, meal planning and decorating my home.
In 2019, I started working from home here and there, taking on ghostwriting and freelance work, but none of that money truly contributed to the household. I let my husband take care of everything related to running the home. He’s a CPA and financial adviser by trade, so why would I “worry my pretty little head” about any of that?
After our divorce hearing, I walked out of the local courthouse a homeowner, having been awarded the family home, but blissfully unaware of the ramifications.
I was suddenly solely responsible for the home maintenance, utilities, property tax and homeowners insurance. I received a crash course on adulting. I was even hit with an HOA violation letter because my home needed a good pressure washing. Of course it did; my husband hadn’t lived there for nearly a year. A patch of lichen had taken up permanent residence on my mailbox.
HOA and amenities fees were immediately due. The sprinklers needed to be programmed; with that, of course, a water bill increase. I would need to schedule and pay the lawn guy (that mulch wasn’t going to spread itself). I also quickly realized I’d better start budgeting some sinking funds for the property tax due after the holidays.
My ex-husband and I just fell into traditional gender roles; it was easier than putting in the work.





