31 years old and broke, can I still have children?

[IvyG]

I am 31 years old and have an MS degree in Biology, my husband is 45 years old and has an MBA. We live in a major city where are combined income of $50,000 leaves us broke and in debt. Our credit is now extremely poor. My husband is looking for a better job but his age and poor credit may be the reason he cannot find one after 2 years. I want to have children, but I'm not certain how I can support them. By spending so much time in school have I forfeited my right to have children? What can I do in this situation. I'm afraid to wait much longer to have children. I am overweight and my menstruation has already become irregular. I haven't gone to see a doctor about it since I do not have health insurance, neither mine nor my husband's jobs provide it. I owe $15,000 on credit cards and $40,000 in student loans. Hubbie owes another $15,000 on credit cards. How do people raise children under these circumstances?The credit card debt is due to a time when hubbie had no job and I was out of school and looking for employment. I am now employed, hubbie and I are both making about $25,000 a year currently. I am currently working as a nanny and can bring the child with me to work if I can find an employment opportunity that will let me do so. I believe we can get medical insurance, just not through work. I don't have any at the present time since all money is going to paying down my credit card debt. I can likely get another job that will pay a bit more, but not enough to cover child care expenses in addition to what I am making currently.I don't spend lots of money, I've just been a student for a long time, and was unemployed for 6 months. I'd be for moving to a lower cost area but hubbie worries about crime rates... they are very very bad here in low cost areas. Living in the suburbs would likely drive up our gas cost unfortunetely. Not sure we could find jobs elsewhere, hubbie can't here.

[zendall5106]

The health insurance issue is huge. Even a menial job that provides it would be a good idea. Consider moving to a more affordable city with better job prospects. You two are fortunate to be well educated and there is no reason you cannot have children. Some planning will be needed. Look into a home daycare business, because paying for care or having one of you be a full time parent doesn't seem feasible.

[JohnnysMommy0220]

Good question. I'm raising my son alone on my income only and I make less than you, I live in a high priced area (near DC) and if my family wasn't helping out a little here and there I have no idea how I would make it.All I can say is this - if you want children that badly, go ahead. It's hard, but when you have someone depending on you, you eventually figure out how to make it financially.

[iluvu_247]

well, maybe now isnt the best time to have kids. you are still young, maybe you just need to improve your health. kids cost a lot of money and by looks of it, you dont have any. adopting is always an option for the future.

[Stargirl0715]

I have two babies, one is fifteen months and one is seven weeks. Okay, I am well off financially. I am a small business owner as well as my husband and I am an RN from 3-11 five nights a week. With everything getting more and more expensive, it's still hard for us and that's why I have to work the extra job. With doctor bills, baby formula, foods, diapers, clothes, insurance, EVERYTHING...And that doesn't even include that we needed a bigger house, bigger vehicles...Everything with babies means more money. You have to be pretty well off and prepared to have a child because it is financially stressful. Hope this helped.

[REED-prouddad]

I don't think it's fair for you to bring a child into the world under your circumstances. If you're really determined to have a baby, lose some weight and get a job of your own. Start saving as much money as you can, a child takes up a lot of finance. Also, if you had a baby under your current circumstances it is likely to put pressure and stress on your relationship with your husband. Just work hard to get yourself in a good situation, if you put your mind to it then it won't take long and ask for help from family and friends.

[DavidV1157]

You can have children, but you probably shouldn't. You two need to revisit your career positions and consider moving to a place where you can earn more money and have lower bills.

[pookeybear2823]

My personal opinion...if you can't even take care of yourself (financially and health wise..meaning no health insurance) how on earth are you going to take care of your children? What kind of life is that for them? Yes, love conquers, but it's not always enough. Babies are very expensive. I would wait until you are in a better financial situation.

[erinjl1234564276]

The man who has been like my father since I was 9 years old put his work before family. Now hes almost 50 and has no children of his own. He tells me all the time he wishes he went ahead and had kids while he was younger. Hes somewhat stable.. and just married the woman hes been with for 13 years. They are considering having children.They say a lot of woman are waiting until 35 to have children.Chances are you are plenty able to have children.You could look into a clinic that does fee scale charges. You could consider moving to another area where things would be cheaper but work would be available.If I waited until I was rich to have my children... they would not exist.I would check into my health before trying to become pregnant...

[ElizabethB9285]

I am sorry to hear about your circumstances. First off, having children is great but also a great responsibility. Without health insurance your pregnancy will cost quite a bit of money (mine with insurance cost a few thousand). Also, think about the cost of the child once it is here. Formula (if you decide not to breastfeed or have trouble with it), daycare (if you choose to continue to work), clothing, diapers, etc. Babies are extremely expensive. I would suggest trying to find jobs that provided more disposable income and possibly some benefits prior to bringing a child into the situation. Try to see it from the child's point of view. Good luck and I hope things work out for you.