Can you raise a baby on???????

Question

Hi am 23 and just graduated college and just started a job but it only pay 30,00 dollars a year. I am 5 1/2 months pregnant and single i have not told the father yet he is an English citizen we met while i was on vacation and he in college at Oxford.If i budget myself will i be okay? I mean i have a small savings of 10,000 dollars but i live in a small apartment only 1 bedroom . I also have to commute to New York everyday.And day care looks really expensive?any suggestions other than moving back in with my parents?

sorry for the spelling my key board at home is a little messed up.

Answer 1

You can totally raise a child on that amount. I did it for two children (school age and one still in daycare) on child support alone for almost two years while going to school....750 a month!

Answer 2

U'll be just fine, especially if you stay on a budget make sure the most important thing is to have medical insurance, the better the insurance the less you will have to pay when it comes to medical bills and believe me those are more then what you will spend in a year on the child. My husband and I started off with a little more then that, also in a one bedroom. The baby won't take up any space. Let the father know he could help with day care or you can ask for child support which will cover that. Congratulations and yes it will be difficult but theirs a lot of people who don't get the opportunity of being parents and it's a wonderful experience.

Answer 3

You will make it! It sounds like you have a strong head on your shoulders and are very smart. I am not saying it will be easy, but it is do able! You will recieve some child support and honestly, people have made it on MUCH less than you have. Plus, babies showers will help with costs. As for child care, try a private in home place (I trust most of them more anyways) and they are usually cheaper. Plus, keep adding more to savings until you have the baby. Also, if you have a best friend or a super close family member (ie cousin, sister) that you could get an apartment with it might help. You can share a room with baby, it's nice anyways when they are under a year old. You will be fine!! Good Luck and GOD BLESS!

Answer 4

First of all, you can do it. Your income, your savings, your education - they are all higher than MANY - or maybe even MOST - single mothers. Sure, things may be tight; after all, you will be supporting and caring for another little person - but it is very do-able.

Don't worry about having to rush out and find a larger apartment/house. You will be fine in a one bedroom for awhile.

There are all kinds of agencies out there that will help you until you get on your feet and stablized - if you meet fall under the financial guidelines, which you may not. But don't sweat it. You will do fine.

And there are agencies that will help you find good daycare, if you need help in that area. With an infant, I would recommend finding someone who does not have alot of other children; an older person (grandma type) would be ideal.
When the baby is older, you can think about having it around other children, but when they are small, individual attention is best provided in an atmosphere where there are not alot of other children around, not to mention that babies will catch germs and colds and other illnesses when they are placed in a large daycare.

Plan to BREASTFEED YOUR BABY. Don't even consider giving it formula; it is 2nd best, not to mention the cost and the inconvenience. Your baby will be MUCH healthier and happier on breast milk!

I recommend that you tell the father - he has a right to know - and also, you have a right to child support. And he could very well be a positive influence and help in this childs life - EVERY CHILD NEEDS THEIR FATHER!!

Answer 5

We raise our boy on that amount and there's not much he goes with out. But in NYC it's a different story because everything is so expensive.

Look into Early Head Start. If you qualify for their income level you can get free or low cost child care. Only during the day though. Call your community service center. They will have ideas that you may have not thought up. My son was in Early Head Start and then Head Start. Now he's in grade three and does very, very well. I know he would have never done as well if he didn't have the extra boot. He's in the gifted class and every child in there went to some sort of preschool. Even as an infant the benefits are wonderful!

Answer 6

I don't know what the cost of living is where you are, but it sounds like you can squeak by if you focus on getting a raise or a better job as soon as possible. It may be that your parents will help some without your having to move back in with them.

But I think it is clearly time to tell the father of your condition, because he really should give you a hand financially, at the very least. And he has a right to know he is going to be a father, even if there is little he can do about it. You never know; he may have resources or ideas you have not imagined, and be of real help to his child and yourself.

Answer 7

That's possible to live off of. You can also look at the federal programs out there (WIC, food stamps, etc). Also research the daycare issue/price. Daycare fluctuates depending on area. I also know that a lot of daycares have LONG waiting lists so now would be a good time to start the process. Also look at thrift stores and garage sales for baby items; most babies don't wear clothes much and it's much more cost effective. My husband and I live off of $24,000 (He's an E-5 in the USAF and we have 2 kids). Oh another thing is tax returns (govt refunds up to $1500 a child with daycare dont quote me though). Also I buy generic diapers and Walmart brand formula-parent's choice.

Congrats on the baby!!! Tell the father ASAP...who knows he maybe he'll help!!!

Answer 8

Hi There,

First of all..congratulations. Babies are really, really hard..but they are blessings all the same!

Secondly..no doubt about it. This will be hard. I am married and we both have incomes and it's still HARD. It's hard physically, emotionally, and financially.

BUT you can do it!

I really think you need to tell the father though and make sure he contributes. College or not, he has a responsibility now. Even if had to quit for a while to get a job. It wouldn't be fair for you to have the complete burden all to yourself.

Anyway, I'm not sure where you live but it sounds like the East Coast which I hear is more expensive then the West.

I am on the West Coast and Daycare is extremely expensive. In fact, I have three of them in Daycare and it's my whole paycheck. However, my working is for benefits and retirement.

Things will be really difficult and tight but yes..I do believe you can raise a baby on that salary.

I know you'll feel cramped in the 1 bedroom apt. and long term, you definitely will need to think about upgrading. But for now, you will be okay in that apt. If the bedroom is too small to put a crib in--then think about a bassinet. They take up less room. Or perhaps think about investing in a Pack-N-Play. That one piece of equipment can be used for multiple purposes (bed, changing table, place for the baby to be safe while you're in the shower, etc.) and when you have space issues you have to consider these things. Plus, if you end up nursing..it'll be easier on you if that baby is closer to you because in the first month--you will be feeding every 2-3 hours. If you are dead set against having the baby in the same room as you then you and yo don't want a crib that is just out in the living room--then the Pack N Play is an even better idea because it can collapse..although as often as you have to use it..that will be a pain.

I have a couple of suggestions. One is..take all the help you get offered! Seriously. I'm 36 and just had my 3rd baby..and this baby came TWELVE months after I had my other Baby girl. And people were STILL incredibly generous to us. People offered us hand me down clothes. Take them! Babies don't wear sizes for very long and you won't even know they are used! People may also have baby furniture for you too.

Nursing can be difficult for some Moms (it's REALLY hard for me) but the longer that yo Can do it..the more money you will save. Formula is incredibly expensive. so that might be an incentive to nurse for as long as you can and then pump your milk.

If you have a warehouse savings club like Costco or Sam's Club..JOIN. Trust me. With the money you save in the cost of diapers and formula..you won't notice that small joining fee!

If your parents offer to help. Take it! The infant stage is so incredibly hard. And alone will be double so. So take that help. Besides your baby needs all the people he/she can have to love him/her.

And if you can't ge the Daddy fiscally involved then you will need to sign up for some assistance..and that's okay! Sign up for WIC as soon as you can. That will at least help with formula.

I wish we were closer. I have TONS of stuff I could give you. But trust me..there are others who are generous too. You can sign up for Freecycle in your area--Freecycle.org - and find baby stuff there too.

I wish you luck. You'll do fine.

Take care of you and that baby!

Answer 9

Congrats on the bundle of joy growing inside of you!!!!!

You should tell the father. You might not be able to get the child support but he might want to help you out because it is part his.

Ask your parents to help you watch over the child after you start back to work. They might be able to be your daycare.

Shop target, k-mart, walmart, sam's or even costco for cheap name brand diapers or even their own diapers. Their formula might not be that bad of a choice either. If you do not want to breast feed but that would help you to save some money. Plus breast milk has better stuff in it for your baby.

While you work at this job continue to look for a better paying job and work hard for a pay raise.

Talk to someone in your state about the government programs that can give you a hand up (inside of a hand out) to be able to get the formula, diapers and other little baby needs.

Again congrats on the baby and hope that everything works out for the best. Good luck and take care.

Answer 10

I am 23 too and I am a single mom of 3. I know it will be hard. I barely make that and I get by. Trust me I have had to move in with parents for a few months to make a savings. Looks like you are already ahead of the game. I would try to get help from your church and social services. They will be able to help find you affordable housing and also single parent support groups. Also look up Mops.com. They have support groups all over the US. As for daycare, find one that you trust. Don't just go with the cheapest. You might want to try babysitters too.

Answer 11

Girl You Can Do It.....
That's way better than when i had my children. I had my 1st at 15 in the 11th grade. I was on my own, and i survived it. That child has now grown up , went to college and will be a mother herself soon. I'm hate to toot my own horn , but toot toot!! You may have to make some big sacrifices but it can and will work out. Remember your baby is worth it! Family will fulfill you more than any material thing in your life ever could. One day when you look at your child, happy healthy, although you were single.. it will make you more proud than any other accomplishment you can imagine.