Can You Afford a Baby?

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what should I expect for typical info one child.

sam of IL 4:14AM September 23, 2012

When my oldest, who turns 13 this month, was born, all I bought was diapers and food. The furniture, car seat, clothes, etc, were all either gifts or hand-me-downs. I kept all that stuff for her little sister. Now that they are both preteens, I say "no," a lot. Actually, I dont have to tell them no, because they know the value of a dollar better than I do and dont ask for much. (They still have more electronic devices and brand name clothes than their friends, so dont think they are suffering.) I spend about $200/month on food, $10/month on entertainment and field trips, $50 twice a year on clothes, $200/year on school tuition and supplies. I spend around $10/month in hygene products that I wouldnt have if I didnt have kids. My four-bedroom two-bath house costs $325/month, $75 less than the cheapest one-bedroom apartment without government assistance. I spend about $300 more per month to heat a house that size, but only 4 months a year. At that rate, my kids together will only cost me $124,800 from 1998 through 2017.

Stephanie of IN 3:24PM March 04, 2011

11K in the first year... does that include the hospital bills? Because there is no way we spent that because we didn't have it to spend!
Kids need shelter, food, carseat and diapers, maybe a few toys. You should have health insurance in place and know how much another dependent will cost you. You should always have an emergency fund regardless of having kids or not.
Childcare can be expensive that is very true, so see if staying home is an option (there are calculators out there that will tell you if you working instead of staying home is actually worth it dollar-wise).
As for expanding your home or car? One kid won't make much of a difference unless you own a two seater or live in a studio. Yes a two bedroom would be best and yes you will need a car with a backseat, but other than that, the kid doesn't need a backyard or a ridiculously decorated room.
People need to come to terms with what are needs versus wants.
I know you want your child to have everything wonderful and great, but you don't want your child to be saddled with a parent that is worried beyond belief about money and debt because they indulged wants and not needs.
So in short (haha) it's possible to have kids without making 100K a year, but at the same time be prepared. You can always find an excuse of why this year isn't the year to have a kid. But if you go for it and all goes well, you still have 9 months to get things in order!

MEL of AZ 4:19PM February 02, 2011

Having a lot of money doesn't mean that you will be able to bring a happy family or you will be able to do things for your child. Talking of five dollars or ten dollars , sometimes its not possible for some, but with little you have and the heart of loving and enjoying your family no matter how low your income is may bring a difference .It may sound little for some but for others survive even with less than a dollar and they bring up a happy family.It is not also right to look how people are doing things but to them in your right way and you will achieve.

elijah 2:42AM November 27, 2010

That's all I hear from a p.kid's whose family runs a church who is mad at me despite the Bible saying younger wives listen to the counsel of the older married ones in the church. There are as MANY out of wedlock babies IN the church than out of a church. These young ladies become hormonally ready to go out, be like the world, and want to see what they missed at 12 or 13. Most don't get married. If they do at such an early age of 18 or 19, in college with college debt of $40,000 a year for both as a couple ($80,000) for Bible ministry, stop working to let family help them out, she pushes their wedding date up because one or more friends got married or will end up getting married before them, talk the guy into serious dating and engagement and buying the wedding dress and rings a year before the bridal shower, no savings from jobs they had, and when pushed and I ask, "Isn't Jakey (she won't use his adult name but his little kid's name when growing up) enough for you that you have to have a baby now or else?" Then they honeymoon in Disney leaving with her Mickey mouse hat on driving away from the wedding reception! Is this ready for a baby? It's now 7 1/2 months later. BTW she never learned how to clean or cook as she didn't want to. He use to. Now she is out of embarrassment.

Anonymous of GA 10:55AM October 30, 2010

If people actually considered all the possible costs and outcomes of buying a house or taking a cruise or having surgery, we would never do any of those things regardless of the probable benefits. If you have a job, are in a stable relationship, enjoy being around children and value the things that children bring to our lives - by all means, go ahead and have a child. Ignore this article, it removes the humanity from life and replaces it with an arrogance that suggests that we can predict the future. Disgusting.

Wygent of WY 12:55PM September 19, 2010

Unfortuntately, the ones asking this question are the most intelligent of the population, while those expecting a free hand-out from the government continue to breed like rabbits - it's no wonder the nations IQ has gone to such a low norm and the crime rates are so high!! With the increasing hand-outs, it becomes even worse...

David of FL 12:35PM May 08, 2010