How can you fford to have a family (house, rent)

[ladyscorpian14]

I got atleast 8 more years before this but I'm a planner in everything I do how can someone who makes $35,000 a year afford to have a kid.

When I leave school I will have at least $120,000 in debt when I become a teacher. My plans is to take have of my income about $15,000 a year to wipe out my debt by the time I'm 29 I will share an apartment for 8 years and ride the city bus to school and home. I don't want to get married atleast I don't think so now. I want to either adopt a baby or have one I don't want to be like some people 40 and can't have kids. Any suggestions anyone and please don't laugh at me

[BudinAk]

Get married. Then there is (theoritically) his income, as well as yours...
Going it alone is tough.

Bud

[arguy1973]

Well I found out something, if you want kids, just have them, dont worry about money. you will find a way!

[insearchof]

Hon, this state is INFAMOUS for its divorce rate! along with rape, molestation and alchoholism, drugs... it has the nations highest rate of fetal alchohol syndrome and more & more kids, babies fighting for a place in foster care because their "parents" are too wigged out on substance abuse, marriage has nothing to do with being a good parent, that is unless, you have been married a long time...
they also have a saying here about the men, 'the odds are good but the goods are odd'. can't say enough about that one
you do not need $$$ to have a baby and more importantly, you do not need a man, what you do need is to have a heart full of love, patience and an attitude that you can do it!

[Out of Alaska]

Stop freaking out - go out and buy - immediately - "The Money Book for the Young Fabulous and Broke" by Suze Orman. It will be incredibly helpful to you on planning the beginning of your financial life, which of course dictates other *more fun* life stuff. The earlier you start the better and it's awesome that you're thinking about it! Yes, of course you can have a house and a child and a life on a teacher's salary. People do it every day. Ex: why the rush on student loans? Usually the interest rate is low... might be best to do something else w/ that 15k... anyway.... do some research and you will feel better

[mom23sweetgirlies]

I am a stay at home mom to three girls including a set of twins, my husband is an industrial painter making $19 an hour. Money can get pretty tight but we always get the bills paid on time and don't have much debt other then the vehicles. You can do it!

[Rainy]

Worry about your education first. And think real hard before you go having a child without having a life partner. Children need fathers too and anyone who tries to tell you differently is dreaming.

[sunnymom]

Please don't worry too much, just finish your education and everything will fall into place. I have been a single parent and now married. Having a life partner, and the children to have a father is-PRICELESS!!! Best wishes.

[foma]

I wouldn't worry about student loans after you graduate. I can't comment on anything else b'c I don't live in Alaska but as far as loans go, don't be in too much of a rush to pay it off. Plus, the interest you pay is tax deductible, up to a certain amount you make but as a teacher, I doubt you will reach the cap.

[rotorhead]

Thats some good advice on the student loans, they're about the only deductable interest you'll ever pay outside a home mortgage and typically by far the lowest interest rate. Pay off everything else first, especially credit cards, and you'll be way ahead.

As far as kids go, yes....its gotta be easier when you're young and full of energy. Keeping up with kids doesn't get any easier when you're old and fat. However, sharing the load with a good partner more than makes up for advancing age and creaky knees. It'll happen when it happens, no sense worrying about it beforehand. Rushing into parenthood has wrecked far more marriages than its ever saved, to the detriment of everyone involved.

We were married thirteen years before our son came along, and I know for a fact that we weren't ready for it back then. Some days the average cranky toddler can try the patience of even the Mother Teresa types, let alone a 20-something single mom who's already tired from a day at work and in over her head at home. Having a partner who can spell you while you collect the ragged shards of your last nerve can be literally a lifesaver. I don't know how the single parents out there do it without heavy medication.