Can You Afford a Baby?

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

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

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

The Agriculture Department is basing their figures on raising one child.

What about College Expenses?

I believe their figures are inaccurate.

Genevieve Wilson of NY 1:15PM April 04, 2010