Can we afford a third DC

[Thebestdaysofourlife]

DH and I are thinking of trying for a third baby. We have two DCs currently aged 2 and 3, almost 4. Both in our late thirties so don’t want to leave it too much longer before trying.

With 2 DCs we are comfortable, I work 4 days per week, we shop a lot of second hand and try to save money where we can eg free activities, packed lunches when we go out. We have about £5k spare after bills mortgage nursery etc and we have a decent amount of savings.

I know the baby years are cheap and everyone says teens cost a fortune. Would you think we can afford a third in this scenario?

Do your other 2 kids cost 10k a month?

Yes they do and then spend their entire life criticising how expensive uni is. Having two children will allow them to support/spend on future study choices, with less dependence on the government.

The fact that there is a loan system available doesn’t change the fundamental principle that education should be free I.e., you can do both, use a loan and complain about it. I’m not saying people don’t ever pay for uni fees, just that it’s not a normal consideration for most people

I know that 🙄
parents are still expected to contribute and that is how the loans are calculated in the UK (whether the parents do supplement or not)
kids are expensive and even if they don’t go to uni and live at home for longer that’s an expense etc or supporting them through an apprenticeship

Just because you and H are one of three doesn’t mean you have to have 3? Why not enjoy the two you have - you’ll be able to give them so much more time and attention that isn’t diluted further with a third.

Yes but with 2 kids, OP will obviously have more disposable income for overall university costs. Obviously dependent on what field those children go into, education can be expensive.

Sorry, is that a typo: "we have to spare after bills, nursery, etc"?

If not, then I don't understand the question...
You know how much kids cost. Yours are similar age to mine, so I assume you've had to pay the 1.5k nursery bill per kid at some point. A teen won't be more expensive than that.

£60,000 a year spare you can clearly afford it.
I wouldn’t have a 3rd just because you are both one of 3. If you are looking for reasons to say it’s not affordable I suspect your heart isn’t in it.
How would you cope are you if dc3 has a disability eg could you keep working at high level.
Lots find they can’t work at same level once children at primary school there’s a lot of juggling and holidays. Activities either 3 can be challenging - football match and dancing clash with swimming etc.
Uni years - at your income level lots of parents would try and fund lot not take loans. Top up from min to max loan will be needed, potentially 2 will overlap.