To think I'm not sure if I can afford to have kids?

[battenberg123]

Me and OH both early 30's, I earn 25k and him 15k.

Live in the South East in a one bedroom rented flat 700 per month.

Is it doable? How do people manage? I'm not one for expensive clothes and what not and pretty sure my future child would be fine with second hand stuff.

Do people worry so much about money or do you just go for it and hope you can get by?

I have a friend who lives in a tiny one bed flat, small living room with small off set kitchenette. Her neighbours, in an identical flat, raised two boys. Boys shared bedroom, and parents had fold down bed in living room.

We were in the camp of 'we will manage' but started putting extra away before TTC. I was just about to undergo fertility treatment when I fell pg after a HSG procedure.

So we had a decent buffer which helped with nursery furniture, pram etc & I get a decent maternity package.

We already owned a 3 bed house with garden but are currently renovating an old bungalow to move into next year to give us so bigger garden, a utility room & a second lounge. / toy room.

We unexpectantly got a 3 figure sum which is allowing us to do so leaving us with a small enough mortgage that I can work part time, if they give me it.
We won't be flush & will still need to crunch numbers to survive but time with DS is very important to me after Ill health just before I fell pg.

You can manage. The question is: the the drop in quality of life worth it to you, if that means having children? If the answer is yes, then it's the right choice for you. Do it.

I'm a planner. I'm making sure that the mortgage is paid off before I TTC. This means risking never having kids at all. I'm very ok with that. I don't want kids unless I feel I can provide a great life for them and have the option of being a SAHM if I want to be (and yes, this is peculiar to me but I know I won't be happy unless I can provide the bells and whistles even if they don't want them).

If you really want kids and can't imagine life without any: do it now. There will never be a perfect time.

It is a tough one, but if you wait until you feel like you can easily afford kids you'll never have them!
Of course, if you are currently struggling to pay your bills and have bailiffs visiting then no, you probably shouldn't be having children but if you work it out you will be amazed at how much fat you can trim . I suppose it comes down to how badly you want the children.

DW and I are planners too, we have been together 14 years and our two children are still under 2. We waited and waited despite the fact we are both high earners. there was always something else to do first. Eventually it happened by sort of accident - we decided that what will be will be and we just stopped being so careful with our contraception and conceived pretty much straight away. Best thing that ever happened!

£15k isn't great for a full time wage - any way DH could boost that? Extra hours? Additional training? Qualifications?

Would you partner be prepared to be a stay at home dad for a few years or do bulk or childcare? Would make better sense financially, especially if his job isn't as specialised of career orientated.

Yes he would Sleepy. My job has more earning potential in future his is just a means to an end.

Thanks for all the replies, so helpful to hear a variety of opinions