1. You might think that the first step to being a housewife is to get married. This is not true. The first step is to get out of debt. You cannot be unemployed on purpose if you owe people money. Follow whatever method that you want and get out of debt. If this task seems hopeless to you, check out a Dave Ramsey book from the library and use his simple tools to climb your way out.
2. Start saving one full income. I am assuming that you already have a job. If you have a domestic partnership, aim to live off of one income. Set the income you plan to lose aside in a "Don't Touch This" account. If you have to touch it, you are not ready to quit your job. If you do not have a partner, set aside as much as you can, keeping in mind that every dollar you save is one less dollar you will have to work for in the future.
This method does two things: First, it helps you visualize your life with less income. You will have less to spend and your budget will be tighter. Second, it helps you build up a back-up savings for your future, jobless self. A savings helps take the fear out of having only one income and prepares you for disaster, such as your partner losing a job or replacing a roof. Or in our case rebuilding a leaky basement.
3. Don't quit yet! Make life changes now. Get married and use your paid holiday time for your honeymoon. Get pregnant or adopt. Work for your current employer and let them pay you during this change and during your maternity or adoption leave. At this point, budget carefully to ensure you can continue to survive on one income. If not, it isn't time to quit. Make sure you will have health insurance from a source outside of your job (either private insurance or spouse/partner's insurance.)
4. Try out staying at home first. Ask your employer if you can take an extended holiday. Some employers will let you take months of unpaid leave, while holding your position for you while you are gone. Many people use this time for missionary work, continuing education, or extended vacations such as hiking the Appalachian Trail. Get 6 months off is possible.
During this break, you can try out being a housewife. You can start to set up your homemaking schedule (which I will post about next week) and see if this is really the life you want. Some people may stop at this point. Some folks don't flourish at home; they may feel isolated and lonely, they may feel that they lack the creativity to be in charge of their day, they may find that they waste the time they have doing unproductive things, their partners may become resentful or disrespectful, they may simply miss their old work environment.
5 If you find that you flourish during your time at home and your financial and insurance needs are being met, go ahead and quit! Turn in your notice and bask in your freedom.
