Baby or House?

[bryceba]

My wife and have been talking about this alot latey. We have no kids right now. She has been married before and is older then me by 3 years. So I want us to secure our future so that I can give my kids the life that they deserve, she on the other hand wants a baby. I want a baby too but I just want to be excited when I see that positive test and in order for that to happen I feel like I need to provide us with a safe place to raise that child. My rent is about 200 cheaper then we could do a mortgage. I dunno, any advise guys?

[Firemanbill]

That's a tough call Bro... You gotta go with your heart and what you think is best for you and your family...

Or do like I do and just do what the Wife says... Life is so much easier that way.

[rankroddin250]

depends on how secure your finaces are right now. when I had a kid I freaked out about how much money it was gong to cost to raise a kid and its really not that much more expensive than when you didnt have kids. the birth cost some money but if your thinking about having a kid I would get some good insurance.

also we save money by me working nights and traci working days so we dont have to do day care... figure on if you can aford about 5k for the birth and 400 bucks a month for day care then thats about all the difrence your going to notice with a kiddie.

right now im paying 625 a month for rent and I can buy a 90k house for 600 a month so currently im in the market to buy a small starter home as well.

[bryceba]

I have been married for about 4 months and she want to start trying next january. Do you really think that its better doing what the wife says? Like I say I just got married and its a big change so I want to keep our marriage healthy and strong so If thats what it takes I will do it. So I know everyone says that being a Dad is worth it but I just wanna know, is it really? I love kids and have a big heart and thats why I wanna make sure that I have a good place for them and a good life. It would kill me too know I could have done them better but didnt ya know?

[TXbroker]

House first, a home will provide that child a stable foundation to grow. Think of the home as the center, everything starts from that.

Provided your marriage is solid, get the house.

[bigcountrysg]

You can buy house that is a repo that needs some minor updates or repairs. Have yourself a low 30 year fixed rate mortgage. That could be comparable to your rent. Then after your house is fixed up the way you want it. You can start your family and still be comfortable. With your finances.

[cmlrc]

My Wife and I waited two years before we had our first of two kids. This was great because we were able enjoy just being us, we could take weekend trip ect. without any tie downs. As far a house or kid first really depends on how secure your finances/job are. My wife and I had our first before we bought a house, it helped us decide how much $$$ we could afford on a mortage. Tuff call, good luck.

[pipelayerjdh]

Kids are worth more than any house. I would rather live in a smaller/ cheaper home and have my children than to have some big empty house. Nothing compares to having a rug rat or two running around.

BTW: If you wait until you think you can afford a child, you won't ever have one. I tried that and the day just doesn't come. You will probably never think you are fully ready for the responsibility. The good news is that it's not that hard, nor that expensive. If you have health insurance you are good to go. Think about Daycare also. It will drain you pockets fast. When they start school, things get a little better for a while. Then you have to start thinking about college.

I wish I could afford to have a few more.

[Firemanbill]

Are kids worth it?! YOU BET!

No amount of money, or size of a home, can replace the love and bonds between a kid and his or her parents.

We've been married 21 years now, we waited 4 years or so before we had our first, we were living in base housing with the Air Force. That isn't why we waited though we just did. We did buy our first house just as our first was coming along though. I don't think it would have made much of a difference though, especially in the first 2 or 3 years. Once they get older though a good stable home can mean an awful lot to their confidence and growth.

i will say this though. We have struggled money wise our whole marriage, we make it but we don't have lot of extra and we do fine. My brother is an Anesthesiologist and makes huge money, and I mean HUGE money. His kid and my oldest boy are the same age and are so much alike they could be twins.

money, homes, all that stuff don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.... it's all in how you raise them. The values you instill in them will mean more than anything.

[Banshee34]

I would go for the house first.