What should come first, have a baby or pay off bills? Why?

Question

My husband and I really want to start a family. We have some debt that will go away in two years. I really want to have kids now but don't know if accruing more debt is smart. Is no time ever the right time? I keep thinking the best time will never come and/or I won't recognize it if it does! Opinions?

Answer 1

Pay bills

Answer 2

The perfect time will never come however if you are committed to paying of debt I would do that first. You can likely pay off that debt in 1 year if you try.

1 year isn't a long time to wait. But you must make a FIRM commitment to pay off X amount a month, not to accrue more debt and to seriously prepare for a child financially -figuring out how to live on less, because even if you both keep working daycare is very expensive.

Otherwise a year isn't going to make a difference and it won't be worth waiting.

Answer 3

Bills. ALWAYS pay off the bills first.

1) Start a family debt free. Babies and kids are going to cost you a LOT of money. There's no way around it. The birth alone can cost over $1000, and that's assuming there are no complications.

2) Kids are great, but really focus on your relationship. It's going to be a great way to build a healthy family if YOUR relationship with your husband is strong. Trust me--the first three months of a child's life will be hell, and that's assuming there's no colic. If your relationship isn't stroing enough, it's going to crack.

3) Is there a right time? Yes and no. There's no way to prepare, but the more you HAVE prepared the better. You're married and you're wanting to get your finances in order. Great! Start there. Do you own a house? Start making the repairs you've been wanting to make for a while--replace the carpet, paint the walls. Do it all NOW before you have a baby to contend with.

Answer 4

There is never a "right" time to have a baby. However, depending on how much debt you are in, you may want to consider reducing your debt first.

If you are living paycheck to paycheck due to all your bills...then the baby should wait.
If you are finding you have a lot of money after all of the bills are paid, you can do both. Start a family, but make sure you put away money into a baby savings for all the initial expenses. AND take the rest of your surplus money and pay off some of your bills.

Answer 5

I don't think it's right to have a child that u financially can't afford to take care of the way u would want to.U could have a child but it would end up causing more stress on u n your husband.Unfortunately money has ended many marriages n then adding a child to that is just that much more difficult.I would make sure u r financially stable b4 u have a child.If u go to a dept consolidation agent they can get your interest taken away so u r only paying for what u used or owe.They also come up with a payment plan that will b affordable for u while u r having a child.They go through all bills etc....put it together so your paying only 1 bill n u pay everything off it just takes a bit longer n this way no interest n u can start building your credit again.U see u can have a child and pay your dept but seek some professional help first.Good luck n bye 4 now.

Answer 6

Being finacially stable before having a baby is a good thing I guess, but honestly you will NEVER be tuly ready for the first one. My wife and I had one and were financially somewhat strapped and we still are and it doesn't make us regret him or wish we'd waited. If you feel ready emotionally and in your relationship to your husband go for it, you won't regret it, it's either spend your money on stuff and bills or something fun like your kids. What we decided was to go ahead and have a baby now and then wait a while to have another until some of the debt is gone, that's the best of both worlds, we have a great little guy but not the added expense of two.

Answer 7

I don't think there's ever a right time. There's always going to be a reason not too. Kids are expensive whether you're in debt or not unfortunately. My boyfriend and I were together for 5 months when I found out I was pregnant. He's now trying to put off getting married!! Typical bloke!

Answer 8

it doesn't matter.. when you have baby i think.. If baby come it comes.. and you can not abortion baby to pay for your bills...
if baby comes they save money.. save money on going out too much or buying stuff you do not need and save buying expensive food look for the stuff on sale...
Everything is up to you and your husband..
ME and my husband have load to pay for our wedding and other stuff like car and rents and others stuff.. I use to work but i had miscarriage at that time and i was really stress ful and all... and now we still paying our stuff and rent and car payments and bills.. and and now i am pregnant again and now i am more safe with this one... and my husband told me to change to better doctor and i did that.. and my doctor is much better then my last one...
It really up to god to see when you have baby.. and it comes it comes.. It life.. YOu should not be worry about bills and not have baby... you can do two things.. Pay your bills and have baby.. And start saving money... And i been look for job and no luck... so you lucky that u and your husband is working and paying off the bills... together...
Just remember god gift you and god can take it away..and IT life you made..
Another thing is Life is never finish paying off bills.. Bills keep coming.... A baby would grow up and understand life of hard working parents and what life is all about...

Answer 9

hello, First.....don't listen to everyone who says that having baby's are expensive...I'm having my third. I still don't know what is so expensive about them, I'm sure when they get older they are going to start spending my money on every little thing. (IF I LET THEM) lol But the only things i find different about having a baby or even now 3. is diapers!! I dont see much different even with food in the house, maybe just the milk lol I am sorry if anyone dont agree with me but, that's what i think.
I am only 25, married and i don't have to work, my husband doesn't have a great job and don't get paid lots but we seem to get by quite nicely paying for our house and living happily with our children. If you are good with your money and you can pay off your bills. Do whatever you feel you can handle..If we can do it Im sure you can. One more very important thing.
Always listen to what your husband has for an opinion also don't just listen to us!! good luck.

Answer 10

If you get pregnant now (today) you will have 9 months before the baby is born, sometimes it takes a few months before you conceive so it may even be longer than that.

Its up to you. Does the debt require 2 salaries to pay it off? Can you afford the costs of a baby and repaying the debt?

If you are nearing 40 - have the baby because there are more risks the older you get.

Answer 11

Have a baby --- there is never a perfect time and the more you wait the more reasons there will be to wait.

By all means work on your debt but don't let that be the deciding factor on your family. God will provide.