Can I Afford a Baby?

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you might never have one. While, it is true, that a baby can be expensive, there are lots that you don't "need" to have. It's nice to be able to buy everything you see, but who wants technology raising your baby? You just need to become a savy shopper, and learn what you really need, and concentrate on those items. When I was expecting my first baby, I bought everything I seen. I found over half of the stuff, just stored in every closet in the house, still in boxes and too late to return anything and it just took up space, and took away money I could have used as she got older and need things that were really needed. My second baby, 5 years later....I am waiting until she gets here, to buy anything I need before she is two months old.

Siena of MA 8:54PM May 29, 2011

They are right, no one can afford to have children, if you do the math. But we all figure out a way, starting with our assumptions, like David of IL. Now, some of that might be relying on Government, most is not. (aside here, if that's a concern, then invest money on free contraceptives, of the $1000 price range, much less than the $1M it takes to raise a child to 18yrs in the US, supposedly). First child was all about reading up and buying responsibly. Twins 18 months later was a serious wake up call to financial responsibility. But they're all great, even though they ask for toys constantly. They earn their money now all are over 5yrs old, and that's what they can spend for fun. Cut's down on costs, good lesson for later in life, see related story at http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20110525/ts_usnews/parentsgivekidsshockingamountsofmoney;_ylt=ArRMhpfF1N_5EemUnG4y1P.7e8UF;_ylu=X3oDMTNxdjNjZmE2BGFzc2V0A3VzbmV3cy8yMDExMDUyNS9wYXJlbnRzZ2l2ZWtpZHNzaG9ja2luZ2Ftb3VudHNvZm1vbmV5BGNjb2RlA29mZmdtcGUEY3BvcwM5BHBvcwM5BHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDcGFyZW50c2dpdmVr

Alt_SRM of TX 7:20AM May 26, 2011

Our government rewards some people with free health care,food,day care,diapers, formula, furniture,car seats and clothing.
If you try to do the right thing like get married and work (any job you can get) you struggle. Many people can not afford to have children.
Some people just don't care! Our sorry government just hands out more!
What happened to Welfare Reform? Accountability?

Laura of MA 5:12PM April 04, 2011

BUY A VOWEL YOU *SSH*L*!!

Citizen of WI 2:26AM March 26, 2011

Thank goodness I raised chickens instead of childern. or monkeys like those Womenfrom Milwaukee

Citizen of WI 2:23AM March 26, 2011

Women in Milwaukee keephaving babies and can't afford them. High percentage are on every governmental dole there is. They don't get married because they can get more forms of taxpayer assistance by being unwed mothers. They could get free birth control, but they would rather keep having babies that they can not afford.

Citizen of WI 9:50AM March 24, 2011

I was scared and hell when we found out we were having twin boys. I saved 20K and was prepared for a ton of expenses. However, we had a baby shower and were given two expensive car seats and a high-end dual stroller as gifts. We bought cribs on craigslist and didn't end up using them so we re-sold them. My wife nursed both boys (she is a champion) and we bought a king-size mattress for their bedroom floor and my wife slept in the middle of them for almost 3 years. I thought our diapers were going to be the big expense but we fit it in our weekly budget easily. There were NO big expenses. Clothes were hand-me-downs from family and friends and garage sales.
Now not only do I still have the 20K, but I have saved another 20K over their first 6 years of life. Single moms can do it, so why would the government think it costs 12K a year for a kid. Our budget has not changed with 4 bodies in the house. It can be done USA. They love to lie to get you to buy crap you don't need.

David of IL 12:45PM March 23, 2011