Ok, so DH and I have only been married about 2 weeks but we're not ready to have kids yet.
I don't mind as DH and I are our early 30s, have our own home and are financially capable, but after reading about how much it cost to have kids we had to do a doubletake!
Total amount needed to raise a child (if they attend 4 yr. public college): $634,456
Total amount needed to raise a child (if they attend 4 yr private college): $846,352
If you look at this, it includes housing which you are paying for anyway and food which you are buying anyway (granted it will be a little more, but still). Also, it is allowing over $1000 a year for healthcare which would be taken care of if you have insurance. I think if you look at raising a child in cost over a lifetime you will never be ready. And there is always the possibility of having a special needs child that will probably cost more then double that. I agree you should be financially stable, but I don't think you need to have 600K in the bank before you start trying!!!
Kara and Todd
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Posted by mcb916
If you look at this, it includes housing which you are paying for anyway and food which you are buying anyway (granted it will be a little more, but still). Also, it is allowing over $1000 a year for healthcare which would be taken care of if you have insurance. I think if you look at raising a child in cost over a lifetime you will never be ready. And there is always the possibility of having a special needs child that will probably cost more then double that. I agree you should be financially stable, but I don't think you need to have 600K in the bank before you start trying!!!
This was exactly my point! (Only stated much better)
Trishthedish
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
I love kids and do want them one day and when I get married, I will be 33. I wish I could just buy myself some more time before I have children. I wish I was back in my 20's again b/c I feel pressured to have kids right away b/c of my age. We are going to wait 6 months after we are married to try to conceive.
I don't think you can ever be financially stable to have children. Unless you are Bill Gates or somewhere along those lines!!
MichLiz213
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
I try not to let that thought stop me. I want kids so badly. I work with children, so I'm in a really pro-kid environment all the time. But everything costs a lot of money over time. Our weddings cost a whole lot that a lot of us can't afford!
Our Best Woman (instead of Best Man) doesn't want kids. She doesn't want to give up her lifestyle. And that's perfectly fine. FH and I want to raise a family. I want to be a mom. It's not for everyone.
snydl40
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
The benefits of having a child outweigh the $$$ aspect. I would give all the $ in the world to have children with FH.
rojerono
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Heh... So it looks like I am in the whole for close to 2 million already. May as well go for the third!
MichLiz213
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Posted by snydl40
The benefits of having a child outweigh the $$$ aspect. I would give all the $ in the world to have children with FH.
Well put!
drpepper318
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Yeah I'm totally stressing on this issue right now... for some reason it's been on the forefront of my mind despite the fact that I wouldn't have any anyway for at least another 4-5 years... kids are really expensive and honestly I think right now I'm way too selfish with not just my $, but also my time and energy to actually do what it takes to be a good parent... but maybe I'll feel differently or more ready a few years down the road...
AlliNMatt06
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Posted by LaurenluvsTJ
you just can't look it at that way. if we all did that, no one would have kids.
I totally agree! If you are thinking about how much they will cost you, you are not ready for kids yet. I am more worried about my child being healthy. That terrifies me!! I am so worried something will go wrong. How much they will cost me over there life time does not even phase me. You do what you have to do. Kids are going to take over your life, and yes you will not be able to put 110% in to your work. Yes you will need help, and yes there is alot of stress that comes along with being a parent. In my heart, it is all worth it. In our case we are wating two years. We are working on buying a house first.
bride2beofmike
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
no , kids are a gift from God, i love babies, excited to have them whenever...
LandsEnd06
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
Children are not just about the money. They are definite blessings. People should really think about whether they will be able to be good, effective parents before they think about how much it will cost. So many people out there would love to have kids and can't and also many people have kids and aren't the best parents. There is a whole lot more to kids than the money.
jenn122397
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Re: Anyone Scared Of Having Kids? $$$ POLL
ok heres the thing - i love kids. FH wants like 25 i think i could handle maybe like 3 - 4.
Im scared to no end of the actual process of having a child - i think it is all because of the 'miracle of life' video we had to watch in my hs - YIKES!!!!!
I told FH im gonna need to be drugged like that whole month before
