What did you do when you wife gave up work?

Hi I was having this same conversation yesterday with a friend, whilst it is always a struggle to go from two wages to one wage, there are obviously things you can to minimise the 'pain'. First step is to look closely at the budget and cashflow, then perhaps to put savings into non-tax payers name (assuming of course that the new tax year they don't have earnings above the Personal allowance etc..). On this point was wondering what others have done, has anyone managed to get one of those 8% rates and got the savings into that? I guess one of the things is to look to take an income from the savings each month and the higher the rate the better the income obviously. What about Quidco, yes you often have to wait a few months for the money but a couple of insurance renewals and some other bits and bobs and you might be able to earn £500per year on that, another 40 quid a month.

So was just wondering what other MSE's are doing in this situation. I suppose another more relevant thing what with mortgages getting tighter is to ensure that you are fixed maybe a bit longer term, whilst you still have the 2 incomes. trying to apply for a loan on the one income later down the line might prove difficult..something to consider perhaps in terms of planning ahead.

And to the Stay at home mums, have you managed to find little ways of making the pennies go further, or found an income stream (ebay, cashbacks, go-down-a-brand, etc). Or perhaps got a little evening job to top up the main wage (and how did you find this after looking after the little un's all day..exhausting I guess..or you got used to it?)

Will be interesting to hear others tips/commments/ideas..