Should a person or a couple that earns a total of $30,000/yr household income have children?

Question

Do you think there is a certain amount of money a person or couple should earn before they even consider having a child?
If so, what amount should that be?

I'm not stating the government should say, "sorry, don't make enough to have a child". I'm asking if people should consider what their income is before having a child? Obviously someone making minimum wage should not have children (until they earn more).

Answer 1

it is not how much you make but how you manage what you make. if you wait until you can afford children, you will never have any.

Answer 2

I think this is a personal issue, based on how you choose to raise your children and what you feel you should provide for them. I do NOT believe that income factors into how well someone will do at parenting. And I think everyone has a right ot decide if they personally feel they have enough money to support a child.

Personally, I was a bit spoiled. I wouldn't be likely to have a child at that income range in my current are (the very expensive Boston, MA) because it would be impossible to provide them with many of the things I took for granted growing up.

That said, I would imagine the birth of a child would be an incentive to become better employed. Babies are actually cheap...and if a family has help in the form of the child's grandparents, other family members, etc. it might not be that difficult. As the baby grows up, so will the family, presumably getting raises and better jobs to at least partially keep up with the growing expenses of school aged children. Certainly, if the parents are educated this is the case. Young couples (and singles) often don't make as much when they get started as their potential indicates.

So, I think the minimum amount you need to make in order to have kids depends on whether you plan to provide them with ballet and karate lessons and musical instruments, as well as where you're planning on being ten years from now .

Answer 3

I think its possible to do in a low cost state such as Iowa. You must both be making minimum wage, and may not have health benefits. Health is a huge issue, as this will cost the most money. Second, what kind of housing? Is there anything left after your expenses? Daycare can cost a lot a week. You may qualify for assistance, but the question is, do you want to? Can you make more money? At any rate, I would recommend saving and then having just one.

Answer 4

Nobody needs to have children. It makes no difference how much money. The Earth does not need humans.

But seriously; I make over 66K a year. My girlfriend makes over 40k a year. I doubt that is enough. Why, well because we have to pay for everything. I have never looked, but I am pretty sure we would never qualify for any breaks.

Answer 5

Good that you're at least thinking about it before you have kids. Most don't even consider being able to afford it...

30 G's aint bad, as long as there's room for growth and raises in your jobs then ya ya you're fine, kids'll be relatively cheap then slowly get more and more expensive, hopefully your income can expand before that....and if not so be it, make it work.

Answer 6

you should get about $3,485 decrease back in funds back plus the quantity of withholdings for federal.. you declare married filing at the same time, entire income $30k with 2 little ones, you're eligible for the EIC because your household income is below the optimal $35k. You did not comprise your withholding information on your question.. yet i assume you had taxes taken out, hence, you receives all of that decrease back. best desires!

Answer 7

I'd say a combined total of $50,000 is the absolute minimum. If you absolutely have to reproduce, have one child, move to an apartment in a nice neighborhood, and wait until you both have better jobs to have another. My $0.02.

Answer 8

Id say rather than limit your self to x amount of dollars, try to find out how much it costs your friends and family in a similar economic situation how much it really cost per month to rear a child, and see if you have that ammount.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I would say at least a combined income of $50,000 a year. That would be enough to just barely make it.