Ready to have a Baby--but what about finances?

United States
September 1, 2009 10:36pm CST
My husband and I have been married for 8 1/2 years and we have finally decided that we are ready to start our family. This was a very big decision for us--especially my husband. We are very concerned about our income/expenses when it does happen. Right now we are both working full-time, but I insist on staying home to raise my children. My husband is an accountant, so he is very concious of our budget. We are doing pretty well right now, but loosing my income will be pretty difficult. Are there any legitimate jobs out there that I could do from home once I have a baby--just to bring in a little extra money?
2 people like this
11 responses
@raynejasper (2322)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
..there are other legit sites that you could surf to get extra income.. although of course you will not expect to earn big but it will just be enough to pay for current and water bills.. having a baby is the most rewarding moment of my life.. and caring for the baby is the second so it would be much better that you personally take care of your baby..
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
4 Sep 09
I think that you might be able to begin your own business like selling things through E Bay. Like you might be able to make things for dolls houses for collectors like miniature furniture. It wouldn't take up much space. You could become a child minder then your baby would know other children from a young age. You might be able to do on line work on your computer. When you get pregnant you could work as long as possible before your baby is born. You could buy the cheapest baby equipment. If you get all of it in neutral colors you could even have a second child.
@livewyre (2450)
2 Sep 09
In all honesty, if you are looking to replace an income, you will have to work just as hard as if you had a full-time job, and you will need to be disciplined. If it's any help, my wife and I were in almost exactly the same boat - we have been married 14 years and have a 5 year-old. I don't earn as much as an accountant but we make ends meet with just one income and it is great for the little one to have Mommy at home... the sacrifice is certainly worth it. I wrote a squidoo lens about saving money being the fastest way to make money - you can read it here: http://www.squidoo.com/makingmoneyquickly I have kept to these principles and we have far less debt now than when we were both earning - amazing what you can do when you are careful about your cash.
@wahmivy (776)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
First, kudos to you and your husband for really thinking having a baby through. There are so many people who just start a family without having any idea what it requires. I don't think people are ever really ready to have a baby, but finances are something you can at least prepare for. However, you can save and save and you'll still realize that children are more expensive than you first thought, lol. I had a great job, which I gave up (happily) about two months before giving birth. We've had to simplify our lifestyle of course and there are months that we can't put anything away for savings, but our needs are all provided for. I do freelance work as a writer and a translator, as well as earn off of my blog and other online opps. You can try craigslist for listings of work-at-home jobs. I know there are always listings for customer service reps, article writers, bloggers, data encoders, web designers, etc.
• Philippines
3 Sep 09
There are a lot of opportunities to earn not only extra cash online but can earn you a living, if not a fortune. Well, I believe those computer geeks are the only ones earning fortunes online. But seriously, you can earn a living online. So you should start figuring that out now so by the time you have a baby you should be established and consistently earning a good income. I have another online work that earns me at least a thousand bucks. Been doing it for almost 3 years now. Remember, you just need to be open minded when you are looking to earn good income online.
• Argentina
3 Sep 09
Money comes and goes, but babies don't. If you feel like having one, well you should. Go ahead, giving birth is a wonderful gift, do not dismiss it!
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
2 Sep 09
There are two sites I work for that help out. You probably have seen the Kgb commercials on tv. They are one that I work for and I also work for ChaCha which is a similar site. you can go to www.chacha.com and www.kgbkgb.com and apply. both sites train you and test you before you can work for them. Kgb is easier test wise plus if you do bad on the test you can keep taking it till you pass. With chacha if you aren't good enough the first time then you are out. (unless they have changed that since i started last year) With chacha on a good day I can earn $20. Kgb is a little lower but I know there are some on there that make $1,000 a month. It all depends how much you can work and how fast you can search for the answers to people's questions.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
2 Sep 09
Try cutting back on expenses like watching movies, and outings. A little saving each month could go a long way by year's end. Don't worry; just have that baby and make your life with your husband happy. Stick to your instincts and you'll never know with the existence of your baby, your finances might improve. The world works strangely that way at times. Good luck and stay happy..
@neededhope (1085)
• United States
2 Sep 09
My goodness I feel what you feel. My husband and I have been married for 5 years and I though we would be ready to have kids. But honestly I don't feel we will ever be ready. I'm currently unemployed he's working but we have no insurance. But if you two are both prepared to live your life without going out to eat and to stop spending. Go for it. One word of advice that my friend gave me and has made me think real hard about having children. "I want to make sure I can afford educated Children. Meaning I will pay for there college. There is enough of proverty stricten children in the world. My child will not have to undergo that." It just made me think.. Bring children in this world with very little and in proverty. Or make sure my children will have the education they deserve. Basically I would be selfish to have them knowing I cannot afford them. IT would be more beneficial to the world to not conceive than to conceive and not raise an educated child. Maybe that makes since to you.. It surely does to me.. I still have that desire and maybe someday we will.. But only time will get us there. And maybe it won't. Just some words to think apon. And either way I hope you and your husband are both happy in whatever decision you come too.
2 Sep 09
There are a few sites that would give you some pocket money but i wouldnt solely rely on that as a form of income. Why dont you perhaps look into a little part time work insteadonce your maternity leave would finish if you were to get pregnant. In my opinion no one is ever financially ready to have a baby, there could always be more more for this and that but as long as you know you could survive on one income then you would be ok.
@mdrgsm (61)
• Ukraine
2 Sep 09
Hi Ranrobin, Okay so you will never be fully prepared or financially ready for kids. You just have to make the decision to have one and get ready to make sacrafices. But the joy of having children is totally worth the sacrafices. I have not found any online work that pays well, however I do know that if you go to online or at home schooling for medical transcription and/or billing, there are LOTS of employers looking to hire online. But most do require the schooling and/or experience. Good luck with the parenting. Have a Blessed Day!