How does everyone do it....

I go over the number and go over them - time and time again - and I just dont know if we can afford to have a baby right now... I know we will both work - but currently we work two jobs and obviously I would have to give up one.... but the money - its crazy to lose - how does everyone afford it and what about day care - I heard its SOOO Expensive....

Re: How does everyone do it....

I have 3 kids and it is tons of money, we pay $400 per moneth of mu daughter's private school, we will be paying naothe rmortgage when all 3 of them are in school, but it is totally worth it, we have cut corners on lots of things, no more fancy nights out, more affordabe vacations, less take-in, I shop more at TJ Maxx and Marshalls for my clothes, it costs lots but is SOOOOO worth it!!!!

I work part time and have a private practice on thursday evenings so at least I make a f/t salary, my hubby owns his own business, thank god for my angel of a Mother, she watches the kids when I work! It saves a ton of money!

Message edited 3/14/2006 5:20:56 PM.

Re: How does everyone do it....

It is very hard but well worth it. I work 3 (yes 3) jobs and hubby is self employed. We get the benefit of my Mom who babysits for us - if it wasn't for her, I don't know what we would do.

We cut massive corners. No trips, coupons, coupons, coupons. I can't tell you when I splurged on myself and bought new anything. We do alot of craigslist/freecyle for gently used outdoor toys and such. I still thank the lord for all of the great websites that provided me with samples and coupons while she was an infant. She practically lived off freebie formula. I make full use out of the Dollar/Variety stores for bargains. But we still manage to keep it together and have a house and a baby.

I'm having more of a problem finding time to balance everything and not feeling depressed about spending more time with her than I am missing out on the "things" that I used to spend my money on. All I can hope for is that things will get better

Re: How does everyone do it....

It is a big sacrifice but it is worth it

Re: How does everyone do it....

You just make due with what you have. If you think about it, there are a lot of ways to cut down. Do you both really need cell phones? all of the cable channels? Start shopping at warehouses, breastfeed over bottles, etc.

As for daycares, yes they are expensive. There are other options. I choose a daycare center because I wanted multiple people watching my children. There are plenty of in-home daycares that are a lot less expensive.

Also it's not like they hand you a baby & give you a tab for $20K in expenses. Since they happen gradually, it's easier to cut down.

Re: How does everyone do it....

I think you are never really ready for kids. I don't think people ever really feel that they are 100% ready for children but you make good of what you have and somewhow you pull through. When DH & I had Marissa we were only 20 and it was hard. But now we are better off and we did struggle but I think that may come along with the territory. She was a blessing from above!

Re: How does everyone do it....

NO kids yet but this is our plan. DH of course will continue to work, as for me, my mom offered to watch the baby for 2 days so I can still work. I will need to get out too. when the baby gets older like 6months then my dad said he feels comfortable to watch the baby so again I can work some more days. I work 1/2 days now mostly anyway so they will be with the baby around 5 hours a day. Up the block is DH's aunt and uncle who offered too so we pretty much have it covered so that I can still work p/t and go to my fav classes ( jazzercise/pilates/yoga) that I do now and Im sure will need them bigtime then. It will work out Im sure, no one is ever really ready and if they are great but most arent.

Re: How does everyone do it....

I think you cut down naturally when the baby comes as well. Just going to the mall is a production, so it doesn't happen as often and I have to say, I would rather buy my son something than myself, I really do find joy in watching him play. (I would have found that statement very corny before I had him, but now it's just the truth)

I don't know how, but it seems like DH and I have more in savings now than when we had a smaller rent (over mortgage) and were both working two high paying jobs. Your lifestyle does change.


one thing you might want to start doing is paying off any car loans. I know that was a big relief for us not having any.

Re: How does everyone do it....

We are "PLANNING" on using our tax return money for day care each year, or at least use that towards day care. We are adopting, and knowing we have the next 9/10/11 months to plan, save, or pay off debt, etc...helps. I don't know how this is going to work out---and I have to return to work and that is a killer! I am hoping to use my 2 neices for the summers for babysitting.

Re: How does everyone do it....

i dont think anyone is ever financially ready to have a baby. if we were to wait til we're 'comfortable' we'd be like 70! you just do it, somehow. my mom has offered to watch the baby so we both can work so that helps. the other stuff, i dont think we'll even miss it, now that we're a family.

Re: How does everyone do it....

It's one of those selfless sacrifices. I actually don't consider it a sacrifice, it's a new way of life. We planned for over a year and saved, saved and saved and then invested a ton. We are well off enough where I can stay home with our daughter, however I plan on going back to work when our kids are in school.

I think you can plan and save all you want, but there are going to be rough spots at times, you get through it and move on... It doesn't phase us much since we have an amazing child to brighten our lives every second of our being.

Re: How does everyone do it....

I agree with everyone else here, if you wait until you are 'financially' ready to have a baby, you will never have kids! There is always going to be some bill that has to be paid, some new toy or clothes or shoes or something you just must have!
I have 3 kids and just recently I bought new clothes for myself - the first time in over 2 years!! My fiance and I worked out a schedule where I would work nights and he works days. That cut out all the child care costs, which helps alot! Now that we have the new baby, and he has a business on the side, I may not return to work.
I guess the bottom line is really how important it is to you to have children, and also how many you want. It's always going to be more time consuming and expensive with three than it is with one. But in the end, when that little boy or girl looks up at you and smiles and says "I love you Mommy!" any sacrifice is worth it!!

Re: How does everyone do it....

We live off one paycheck that way we're saving now and when we do have kids if I don't want to work (which I don't see happening) it is an option. It means I have an old car and I don't get a lot of clothes when I could havbe either but it'll be worth it when we have more stability in the future. We're not ones to buy into the 'you're never ready' mantra. You can be financially ready, you don't have to be but you can be. Just wanted to add that being ready doesn't mean I'll be driving new cars and have top-of-the-line stuff, just means I have options about working or not.

Message edited 3/30/2006 10:08:41 AM.

Re: How does everyone do it....

It's really hard to do it. I don't have kids but I really admire those who are able to make it work.

Message edited 3/30/2006 5:44:56 PM.

Re: How does everyone do it....

I dont know - but I give you guys alot of credit. I don't know how we are going to do it when we have kids.

I think the only way is to move off LI.

Re: How does everyone do it....