I agree 'where' in the process is an important factor.
This centers for me around my friends the same age as my wife and I. We are 48 and in the midst of securing financially for our future. With both of us working we are on target to retire at age 55 because we will accumulate enough savings, etc to pull that off.
But I have several friends who make my wage, but their wife doesn't bring in any income to the household. So I see these guys now and again and the biggest issue for them is money and retirement, etc. They all seem to resent their wife not working, but they all also seem to have this resignation or acceptance issue that this is the right thing, etc. It is almost like a rationalization but I have yet to hear a good reason why their wife isn't working -- except she doesn't want to. Now if you both agree and that is what you want out of life--more power to you. But you have to recognize that is a choice and that choice has impact on your future.
Now as I stated earlier if you are paying more for daycare then you bring in, then it doesn't make sense to have both spouses work, or if as jIM_Ohio stated you are near the end of your savings plan it might not make sense. But for the life of me I can really fathom many situations where the extra income wouldn't help---IF used correctly. If you are going to buy a bigger house or car or a nicer vacation, then I agree that doesn't make sense. But for every dollar you invest now it just means you can reach your goal that much sooner it seems to me.
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