Maybe an unpopular opinion, but kids don't need the newest stuff or need to be pampered. Hand me downs or thrift store stuff doesn't ruin your childhood. Maybe, just maybe it actually helps you learn to make due with what you have 🤯
we saved literally a few thousand from church members hand-me-downs and family member hand me downs. The clothes are stain free, the toys are like new.
@@Tyler-pr8vd I don’t know how school children can manage that without homeschooling, but sure. I tutor for math and the ACT and some of the things I hear are quite brutal. Kids can be awful to each other.
Haha never dated yet you hear all this dudes calling the Ramsey show with out of control spending from their wives. You would think debt free would be cool Haha.
the answer is yes, but having kids is the best decision I ever made. If I waited until I could "afford" them, I would never have had them. Hell, I doubt my parents would have had me.
Hahaha “She’s a great third wheel.” I love that. We have a 3yo daughter and she is the absolute best! Ever since she was 6 months old, life has been getting more and more fun. I’m genuinely happy for you and your wife, George! Such a special time - raising a kid!
I have a few more years before I cross that bridge, let alone I'm 21 and single, but this video warmed my heart ♥. Happy for you excellent parents out there!
My wife and I have 5 kids and we bought our first house literally RIGHT before the housing market went insane during covid. If we were in the market right now there is no way we'd be able to afford the home. I feel for the people who are first time homebuyers and can't get into a home right at the moment and are paying huge amounts of money for rent.
I bought my first house after the housing went insane. It feels bad knowing just 3 years before I would’ve paid 20% less. It’s more a mental thing than anything. I was forced to push the drama out of my brain and buy a much smaller house I can actually afford. I expected more while I was saving my down payment but the reality is that the US housing market isn’t going anywhere. Its about mitigating expectations.
I have been torn down for my large family size on RUclips before, glad to see another big family. My husband and I have 6 kids and we too got in right before the bidding wars went down, prices skyrocketed and interest rates went back up. Only way we are still surviving in this economy is the fact that our housing is 1/4th of my husband's take home pay. I am so thankful for listening to Dave! We could have bought a larger home but then we would have been house poor or in a big financial mess. We chose small (still larger than the average 3 bedroom apartment) with thankfully a large park and playground right out back! Lots of outdoor space for kids to run!
OGDINK here. I refuse to add "wad." We did not have children because we didn't feel maternal or paternal. It wasn't for our careers. It wasn't for fun. It's just who we are. We revisited it every few years. It didn't change. I would add: Stop competing with others in living your life. If you want children, dedicate your finances to that, not, the newest phone, techy toy, shiny car etc ... Of course you cannot afford children if you are already living beyond your means.
Yes!! Of course you can't afford ____ when you're living beyond your means!! So so so hitting the nail on the head with that one! We are a single income and homeschool our kids and I have people tell me all the time it must be nice to be able to financially afford staying home for that. We sacrifice a ton to make it work. Smaller house, older van, camping instead of hotels, driving instead of flying, and cheap phones. But people don't want to hear that they and their stuff are the reason they can't do something.
@EFN86 exactly, most people use the scapegoat that they "can't affors kids" because they don't want to admit that they are selfish and unwilling to sacrifice any part of their lifestyle.
We were not financially ready to have children, but our poor years are before they can even remember. Don’t stress yourself to give your baby the perfect life before conceiving. Having children was the greatest motivator for us to be financially secure and it worked!
My 5 kids tackling me when I get home from an 11 hour day at work is about as close to Heaven as I’ll get here on earth. We work hard, live modestly, and will be empty-nesters by 48, plenty of time for more extravagant vacations then. But, with the joy and fulfillment of our children and grandchildren present in our lives.
Depends on the type of poverty. My dad barely made ends meet but we lived on a farm, not inner-city slums. None of my six siblings or I would trade our childhood and, thanks to the work ethic dad gave us, we've all become successful adults.
@@k87upkidproblem is over 90 percent of family farms have been bought up by corporate agriculture. Most people have no choice but to live in inner city slums or impoverished trailer parks out in the sticks
Frankly, I don’t think having a kid just because you don’t have a reason not to is a very good idea. For me, the thought of being a parent doesn’t excite or entice me on any level, which means I probably shouldn’t do it.
I would suggest that you don't know. I didn't want kids for a long time and how I have 2 and I would not trade it for anything . They are the best part of my life. So the old me was an idiot! Maybe you are too😂
@@AbnerSolano You might be right. But surely you can appreciate my hesitancy towards doing something irreversible that I have no desire, passion, intention or excitement for, on the off chance I might change my mind *after* the fact lol
Agreed. I’d be willing to bet a lot of people saying it’s because they can’t afford them use that as their reason because it’s more socially acceptable. My wife and I are not kids people. She’s told me she feels like it’s something wrong with her to not have that instinct to want kids. People are judgy. Also find it hilarious that a Ramsey subsidiary (since they’re all fundy Christians) will of course recommend having kids at any time regardless of if you’re broke and in a ton of debt or not. We have friends who keep popping out babies who are STRUGGLING hardcore financially and begging everyone for money. Birth control is cheaper than children but it’s more socially acceptable to have a bunch of kids when you can’t afford them because someone will always feel sorry for you and the kid. Seems the concept of personal financial responsibility goes out the window once you start having kids.
@@BJ-ui2rc Yeah the furthest they'll go is to say to put the brakes on having any more until their mess is cleaned up, but they'll never tell someone that their piss poor family planning contributed to the mess they've found themselves in, and A LOT of people need have someone directly tell them that it was foolish to pop them out with no plan like that.
@@BJ-ui2rcThere's nothing wrong with not having kids. I do want kids but I don't want to sacrifice my own ambition in order to have kids. I only want kids if the mother is willing to do the actual parenting because I want to focus on becoming ridiculously financially successful. I'm not willing to sacrifice that for kids and I would be as loyal as a dog to their mother but I think I owe it to myself and my kids to realise my own financial goals in life. I think men sacrifice their financial potential when they have children because they end up working less because they have to spend time with my kids. If I did end up having kids then they have to work for me, otherwise they won't see me because I'll be too busy working.
Heh. We're ready and able. We just don't want to. We'd rather be the helpers to others who need the babysitter, kind auntie/uncle, or safe space to land.
Just gonna add a few words/ terms to the conversation. DINK: Dual Income, No Kids SINK/ OINK: Single/One Income, No Kids Childfree: A person who has decided they do not want kids, and actively takes measures to ensure it remains this way. Fencesitter: A person who is undecided about having kids, or is not using preventive measures to prevent pregnancy. Childless: A person who hopes to have children, but does not yet have them, or is struggling to conceive/ adopt.
Really surprised by the fact how many people think about finances when it comes to kids... For me, it's just way more obvious, we don't have kids because we don't feel the desire to have kids .. .
Have a 15 month old. We have student loans, car payment, mortgage on 1 bedroom condo…and it’s still doable. If it weren’t for family babysitting I’ll admit it’d be much tougher. Daycare is so expensive. Baby was unplanned , hence the car payment, got the car literally a month before we found out we were having a baby 😭 We still have funds to go to restaurants, went to Poland in the summer, etc all because we budget for it all. Like George said it’s all worth it looking into her eyes, watching her grow and learn everyday, and those baby giggles 🥰
At the very least, I now grasp the concept of leverage. Creating wealth and financial freedom isn't as tough as many people believe. Building wealth and remaining financially stable indefinitely is a lot easier with the appropriate information. Participating in financial programs and products is the only true approach to make a high income and remain affluent indefinitely.
Starting early is simply the best way of getting ahead to build wealth , investing remains a priority . I learnt from my last year's experience , I am able to build a suitable life because I invested early ahead this time .
It's often true that people underestimate the importance of financial advisors until they feel the negative effects of emotional decision-making. I remember a few summers ago, after a tough divorce, when I needed a boost for my struggling business. I researched and found a licensed advisor who diligently helped grow my reserves despite inflation. Consequently, my reserves increased from $275k to around $750k.
Finding financial advisors like Jessica Lee Horst who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.
Thank you for this tip. It was easy to find your coach. Did my due diligence on her before scheduling a phone call with her. She seems proficient considering her résumé.
The comment made about this always being a hard world; we just didn’t have social media and news telling us those facts every 2 minutes - that is the #1 thing people need to hear. And more frequently. As a parent, you are always worried about your kid’s safety, health, and happiness. So it is actually beneficial to limit the news you take in so as to give your brain a break and help you happily raise a kid. #2 is definitely financial. And debt is robbing their future selves! We worked hard to clear out both our student loans and car notes. Now we only have the house left to pay, and our day to day is pretty stress free! Thanks for the content!
Wouldn’t it be better to be better informed, but not be irrationally swayed by the information? Sticking one’s head in the sand for peace of mind seems shortsighted.
Kids are fun. I love my nephews and nieces; but, my sister in law and my brothers face are the best contraceptives method. Debt free, no kids and house paid at 38 is lovely.
I took my niece & nephew back to school shopping yesterday. I let them basically buy what ever they wanted with a rule "must love it, not just like it". They did pretty good not going overboard & I was only over by $2 on my target budget. I was more than happy to do that for them. I'm 42 no children (except my fur baby), no debt just mortgage, happy & content.
@@karlstrauss2330 Dave Ramsey had rich parents who loaned him millions of dollars to start his business. He isn't self-made but he talks like he is. Dave Ramsey is a fraud and a fake Christian
Finances is a valid reason. I got fired at 7 months pregnancy. Not only lost the income, the kid expenses and medical bills keep piling up while living in a cramped apartment but unable to afford anything else. Avg house prise 400k while avg income 24k
FYI.... if you want kids with far less financial woes... adopt through foster care. Youll never pay a dime for the attorney, the state does. Youll never pay for medical bills or prescriptions as state will provide 100% insurance until they are 18. The state will pay for child care and in most cases youll also get a monthly stipend to buy clothes, food, diapers, formula etc. Some states will also pay towards college. Want a kid but want to skip the infant / toddler, diaper years? Fine. You can specify exactly what you want....you choose the age, race, sex of the children you are willing to take and thats all they will call you on when they have a child who needs a home. by fostering you basically get to test drive the children before you commit to adopt them and are doing a great thing as there are plenty of children in need of good homes. I have 8 kids, 4 adopted. I love them all more than life and i cant imagine life without them.
You can still adopt. My wife and I are 31 and have been trying for 4 ish years and have bought a home and no debt and great careers. We are now hoping for the baby but if we are not blessed we will adopt at 35. We have a 4 bed 3 full bath home in California just waiting for kids but our two dogs will do for now and travel is fun too my wife and I are still getting to enjoy each other after 13 years of being together.
So back to the original question, if you do not have low debt, a healthy emergency fund, and a decent paying job then NEVER have kids (unless you love stress and terrible living conditions).
My kids are grown, but daycare wasn't so expensive 20 years ago. So, what happened? Is it because the government placed more regulations on daycare facilities? There's absolutely no reason for it to cost $17K/yr. That is outrageous. Perhaps we need to make changes to allow prices to go back down to something more like they were in 20 years ago.
Combination of things probably. There is definitely more government intervention now, but that's not necessarily bad. You used to never know the quality of the daycare, but now many have to meet minimum parameters. This is just a hunch, but I'm guessing Private Equity is in it too. Childcare is one of those industries that is a societal necessity like nursing homes and hospitals. So it wouldn't be surprising, but again, just a hunch.
But that would require taking a stand against corporations that seek profits above all else. Dave Ramsey and Company aren’t interested in taking a stand like that.
@@karlstrauss2330 The problems have nothing to do with corporations. At least where I live, the state has laws demanding a certain teacher / student ratio. They also require some percentage of daycare workers to hold licenses, certificates, or certain education levels. One doesn't need a masters in education to tend to an infant. Each of these requirements adds to the cost. I had a friend who owned a daycare business, and he explained a lot of the licensing requirements. It was truly a headache.
@@paulej you are underestimating the pernicious influence corporations have over the control government my friend. They directly and indirectly affect your economic well-being more than you realize.
@@karlstrauss2330 Sure, they influence. But that doesn't explain why the local daycare is so expensive. Those are locally owned and operated. Their cost structure comes about because parents complain about things. Every time there is an incident and people complain, lawmakers think the solution is more regulations. Every regulation drives up costs.
it is about time Ramsey addressed having kids. very quick to say you can't afford a car or home but I have yet to hear that you can't afford kids, The biggest expense of all.
Baby step 4,5, and 6 here. And most people can afford to have kids if theyre lifestyle actually matched their income, which most people "arent' willing to do... facts.....
I guess it's a personal choice, isn't it? There are many factors involved in this decision, but if a person wants to have children, they can do so, or if they don't want to do so, it's also especially important to have a partner who intends to be a parent. The world will always be a hot mess regardless economic, social and political situation.
George doesn’t understand the magnitude of pain poverty creates. Born to parents who aren’t equipt with the financial resources to provide for their children, the danger they expose them to. No money means you have to work, no money means you pick the cheapest childcare exposing them to child predators. No money means you can’t afford quality groceries, or in my case I’d you don’t go to school you don’t eat. No money means frequently getting evicted from your house. No money means you live in the worst neighborhoods, exposed to drugs , gangs and more child predators. No money means your parents are constantly living life on the edge, they can barely keep themselves alive and you expect them to pour love and nourishment into a child? What an incredibly privileged and shelter point of view to be able to causally say no money shouldn’t stop you from having children. How many broken adults do we have from selfish people having children who had no business having children? I’m really sick of hearing all these influencers with money looking down on people doing the responsible thing and not bringing in children into this world to suffer.
Exactly. They complain about welfare, but also complain about there not being enough children to sustain infinite growth. Conservatives also fight nearly every policy that might benefit the middle and lower classes because all they care about are tax breaks for billionaires and busting unions.
When you have children, you step up and work more to provide for your family. You sacrifice your time and comforts for your children, and you make it work. And if you're worried about crime, stop voting for Democrats and their soft on crime policies.
@@DisposableSupervillainHenchman It because your government programs and policies don't work and actually make poverty worse. They create generations of dependence and lack of initiative. It doesn't matter how much you tax billionaires, you aren't going to make a dent in poverty.
Exactly. I would say most of the population in the US these days should not be having kids/ are not qualified. I seriously think you should need a permit to have a child.
Well dang, I didn't realize my baby was costing me 1400 a month. 😅 I pay maybe $40 a month for diapers, but where is all this cost coming from? My grocery bill went up slightly but that is traceable to inflation, so my existence is also just more expensive. The older years must be killer to get that average I guess. Our insurance actually includes kids automatically because a spouse is all it takes to get considered a family. I feel like my parents' insurance did too, otherwise they never would have afforded it on just my dad's income like they did.
Kids can be a great thing for people when they are mentally and financially ready but sadly most people make poor choices and all I see is a bunch of people complain about the lack of money, time, sleep, etc. Sucks to suck I guess. Team mid 30's no wife, no kids, no debt (minus mortgage) making six figures and on track to pass millionaire status in 3 years time.
@@cisium1184 If that's what you believe more power to you. Some people plan accordingly and it works out well for them, others don't and face many years of headaches ahead.
Team mid-30s, married right out of college, four kids, no debt (minus mortgages), single income that hit six figures a couple years ago, passed millionaire status at 32.
We’re dinks with a dog. I’m 41 now and I knew in my early 20s I never wanted kids. I would rather regret not having them than having them. It’s a huge commitment that I never wanted. I’ll be able to save hundred and thousands of dollars! I get to fly business class when I go to Europe and buy what I want most of the time. My sister had my nephew that looks like me and basically is getting all my assets after I croak. I don’t feel like I’m missing much. Perfect scenario 😆
Maybe you don't like kids, but in my own experience, most people do! It's kind of weird if you don't like kids. Not weird to not WANT them (plenty of stressors to being a parent), but definitely weird to not LIKE them.
We just don't want kids. I check in with my wife every once in a while and she is perfectly content with animals only. If anything she wants a house with more land so she can add farm animals into the mix, our yard isn't big enough to have chickens.
My 3rd kid was born not to long ago and what I've learned is there is never a right time to have a kid. If you want kids you'll find a way to make work. Also! Having kids in my late 20s was exhausting, those of you waiting till your mid 30s best be in some good shape. One last tip, don't buy a TON of toys. My kids were entertained for hours with a big cardboard box and a flashlight.
Seriously having kids in your late 30s is brutal! I wish people had told my husband and i that. We didn't meet until we were in our 30s. We waited to be financially secure and here i am with a 2 year old nearing 40. Smh. Seriously wish we'd started sooner, but atleast we have our wonderful son. One kid at this age is just right for us!
I'm happy to borrow my neices and nephews, sugar them up, and give them back. My freedom and sanity are just as important. I'm baby number 5 out of 6. All I remember is growing up being hungry all the time. I'd wear underwear and socks that had holes with the elastic shot.
I don't think so. As long as the child is so young that the door stays open at night anyway, it makes no sense at all. I don't know anyone who has regretted living in a small apartment with a child. They only moved when the children were about 5-6 years old (usually to a better school area).
We lived in a 550 square foot one-bedroom apartment for the past 2-1/2 years while renovating our home. With four kids. It wasn't always easy but the men and women who founded America raised families of 6, 8, 10, 12 kids in smaller cabins without electricity or indoor plumbing.
I worked very briefly as an elementary school teacher and I can tell you way too many people have kids that have no business procreating. Sometimes it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with being emotionally and mentally prepared to be a parent. Unfortunately I saw many parents who tried to act as if they were single again. They still want to go out with friends and spend their money how they want. These days people are taking a much longer time to grow up. In previous generations people grew up much faster because they had to, and that meant starting families early. The smartest and more well-mannered kids in my class were born to older parents with advanced degrees. And typically, these older parents were also more financially stable. One mom had even gone to France for the majority of her pregnancy because she said France has low rates of autism. She could afford it and her son isn't autistic. So while I wouldn't say wait until you're in your 50s to start a family, I think it's better for most people to wait until they are emotionally, mentally, and financially ready to have kids.
The variable with the most influence on the number of children a society has per capita is the education level of the women. The more education, the lower the per capita birth rate. There are other factors that come into play, of course, but this one is the most influential.
Lower interest rates = higher home prices Lower home prices = higher interest rates Welcome to the world of financed real estate. They get you one way or another.
It’s been the same for Los Angeles, starter homes 1million and now 1.3 million. So many extended families and multigenerational rent a space together 😮
I get what you're saying but we are already at a historically low birth rate here in the U.S. which is going to cause major issues when you and I are in our elderly years. Btw, go buckeyes!
@Painfulwhale360 But we also shouldn’t be having kids just so they can become caretakers. We should focus on creating better quality of life for longer and developing new technologies to make life easier.
The shrinking size of each generation has nearly bankrupt social security. The government is so desperate for Americans to have more kids they're glad to fork out even more money now in hopes of preventing the looming economic and social collapse.
The answer is a resounding YES! I’m barely scraping by on what used to be considered a good salary. I can’t even afford to go out and meet people to go on a date, let alone get married and have children.
It's as simple as this. I don't have a 60 acre homestead in the middle of no where and need additional physical labor on the farm. In modern society where the grocery store is minutes away the act of having children is left to those who truly desire them. Beyond that they are just a financial liability without much ROI. There is no guarantee your kid will like you enough to change your diapers in your old age.
I didn’t think I could afford 1 and wound up raising 4 ( all girls ). Kids are great, If I could go back in time and start over, I wouldn’t change a thing
(25m) I feel like I need to be in Baby Step 7 before I even start dating. Why spend money going on dates when I could be maxing out retirement and saving for a house?
I don’t find my kids super expensive. Yes they’ve raised food prices but it’s all reasonable to me. I’ve just learned how to manage food waste and cook more from home. Rent is what sucks for us. Most of our baby/child items were gifts or hand-me-downs and the rest were bought second-hand very cheap. I haven’t found diapers to be unreasonable either and we only spend 20-30$ per month on diapers per kid (I have two in diapers). We are on WIC so they pay for the formula we’ve needed or I’ve breastfed. I find everything else expensive but kids are happy with very little so we haven’t fallen into the trap of needing tons of expensive stuff for them
Granted. We are fortunate enough that I get to be a stay-at-home mom so we don’t have to pay for child care. When I do work, it’s part time when my husband is home. We also paid off all our debt which thankfully was just car loans before having kids
I wish I were kidding with this comment, but I think this video should have included the pros/cons if having kids will require a family to go on government assistance.
@@richardfederico9461 oh I agree many do as you said. Totally possible. However, I think suggesting it is ok to have a child when already struggling to pay bills can be irresponsible and the kids pay the price. Especially considering if the parents are already struggling to survive, it unlikely they are saving for retirement. Then they end up relying on their child and perpetuating the financial struggle. Again, it's possible to be fine for responsible people. I just think it's a bad idea to encourage it.
I have 1 kid, and have tremendous pressure from parents/friends to have 2nd kid. My reasons for not having seconds are 1. Financial - (I want to reach FI soon, and if I have 2nd kids, it will be delayed another ~10 years or even more) 2. Sleep - definitely part of it... I don't want to go back to that time 3. Selfishness - I like my daughter, but I don't think the incremental joy of having 2nd kid will be less than the two hits I mentioned above
It would be extremely tough to have kids and save in a retirement plan today unless you have high paying jobs, or live in the slums and put your entire family’s lives at risk. My relatives with really high paying jobs are the only ones having kids.
our first abode had mold issues in the in ground heating vents among other issues with the house itself..... it was no place to have a child in. living with inlaws and ZERO privacy boundaries causing issues for me, I was having hormone issues making child bearing VERY difficult to maintain..... and my husband was having extreme work related anxiety episodes to the point I thought I was going to lose him to it.....we had to work though these things first before trying to throw a child into the equation. Physically, mentally, and monetarily a child was going to break us and we had to take a break from the housing market during covid for those same reasons. we didn't want to wait as long as we did, we wanted a child much sooner, but sometimes life doesn't work the way you want to plan it to. We got a house and 2 years latter we were blessed with a son recently. Sometimes timing is everything and don't let the pressure of other people ruin your marriage or life over things out of your control. Also children are worth it and only wait for the right reasons.
I think he definitely misses a big part. A lot of families who are DINKS could probably afford kids, they just don’t want them. Freedom and the ability to spend your money on you and sleep and vacation whenever you want. I think if you haven’t had a kid by 30 you probably have it so well financially and are able to do whatever you like that it would never he worth giving it up
Never really pictured being a parent when I was growing up - my wife never wanted kids either. I grew up middle class I'd say but parents complained about money constantly and many times I felt like a burden - I always wondered if there was a connection between that and not wanting kids... Hoping I can scale back work hours in the next few years, I make pretty good money but hours are miserable and feeling burned out. That might not be an option if I had kids.
It takes a lot of "outside the box" thinking to afford kids nowadays, but it is absolutely possible. We live very comfortably on basically one income (we both have businesses, but they are not full time), but we also don't pay for childcare, most things are bought second hand, we don't drive fancy cars, have no debt, and grow a lot of our own food.
Getting ready for my first child. Making about 20,000 USD a year. Wife and I are about to buy a house and it feels like a dream. There are ways to raise kids cheaply, too. Like we picked up a stroller for 5 bucks, and it's going to last a long time with a bit of repair and elbow grease.
We have no debt and became mortgage free at the age of 33.....with 3 sons. Had our first at age 21. Wouldn't have changed a thing. Kids just make life better
As someone who focused on my career and business, i got financially comfortable first, without ever looking into the cost of kids. I incorrectly assumed kids would be thousands of dollars per month because thats what the media made them out to be. Reality is kids are cheap. As a result were going from 1 to 3 kids. I couldnt be happier.
I hate the fact that the "official" cost of kids is based on such an extravagant lifestyle. Who knows how many other would-be parents didn't have kids thanks to the government and media lies about their cost.
Get your finances in order before you have children. Learning to live on less and learning how to sacrifice and put yourself last. We saved a fortune by me staying home..zero daycare, everything made from scratch and less taxes.
It’s getting harder and harder to afford children + own a property + pay off debt etc….inflation and cost of living ain’t no joke. But if you definitely want kids, you really have to sacrifice and prioritise this goal! Do what you want to do!
I'm supposed to have my debts paid off in 2 years and 2 months... I'll revisit the idea of kids then. If I can't be responsible for myself how can I expect to be responsible for a kid? Just my viewpoint.
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but kids don't need the newest stuff or need to be pampered. Hand me downs or thrift store stuff doesn't ruin your childhood. Maybe, just maybe it actually helps you learn to make due with what you have 🤯
we saved literally a few thousand from church members hand-me-downs and family member hand me downs. The clothes are stain free, the toys are like new.
And it’s better for the environment!
And they will be more mentally resilient when they are made fun of!
@@CountJeffula if people make fun of you for what you have they aren't worth having around
@@Tyler-pr8vd I don’t know how school children can manage that without homeschooling, but sure. I tutor for math and the ACT and some of the things I hear are quite brutal. Kids can be awful to each other.
I'm 42 and decided when I was 12 I was never having kids. Its not about being broke. Its about just not wanting them...
I can't think about this, I have to get a second date first.
HAHAHA sameeee
Y’all are getting first dates?
😂😂😂😂😂
Haha never dated yet you hear all this dudes calling the Ramsey show with out of control spending from their wives. You would think debt free would be cool Haha.
Lol you killed it 😂
the answer is yes, but having kids is the best decision I ever made. If I waited until I could "afford" them, I would never have had them. Hell, I doubt my parents would have had me.
Socialists have kids when they can't afford them. That's the problem and other people especially DINKS are supporting them through taxes.
One income with 4 kids here. It’s doable. Sometimes it’s not fun, but it’s most definitely worth it.
Same!
4 kids 🤮
Fifth one due in two months!
Do you live in a high cost of living area?
Our two are enough for us.
@@IrisP989 No, but I'm sure a person could do it in a HCOLA if they wanted to. Or they could move to a cheaper area. There's always options.
My dad never should have had kids.
I don't want someone to ever say that about me.
Nieces and nephews ftw.
Hahaha “She’s a great third wheel.” I love that. We have a 3yo daughter and she is the absolute best! Ever since she was 6 months old, life has been getting more and more fun. I’m genuinely happy for you and your wife, George! Such a special time - raising a kid!
I have a few more years before I cross that bridge, let alone I'm 21 and single, but this video warmed my heart ♥. Happy for you excellent parents out there!
3 is just the best age ~
My wife and I have 5 kids and we bought our first house literally RIGHT before the housing market went insane during covid. If we were in the market right now there is no way we'd be able to afford the home. I feel for the people who are first time homebuyers and can't get into a home right at the moment and are paying huge amounts of money for rent.
Me 2....
I bought my first house after the housing went insane. It feels bad knowing just 3 years before I would’ve paid 20% less.
It’s more a mental thing than anything. I was forced to push the drama out of my brain and buy a much smaller house I can actually afford. I expected more while I was saving my down payment but the reality is that the US housing market isn’t going anywhere. Its about mitigating expectations.
I have been torn down for my large family size on RUclips before, glad to see another big family. My husband and I have 6 kids and we too got in right before the bidding wars went down, prices skyrocketed and interest rates went back up. Only way we are still surviving in this economy is the fact that our housing is 1/4th of my husband's take home pay. I am so thankful for listening to Dave! We could have bought a larger home but then we would have been house poor or in a big financial mess. We chose small (still larger than the average 3 bedroom apartment) with thankfully a large park and playground right out back! Lots of outdoor space for kids to run!
@@EFN86 having a lot of kids is a good thing and was the norm 50-100 years ago
5 kids 🤮
I didn't have kids because I didn't want kids. 😆🤣😂
"Fuck them kids"- Michael Jordan
Most young people I know shouldnt have kids anyways. They can barely care for "fur babies"..LOL
@GoldCountryTrapping I'm not what you would call "young people" and my fur babies are extra spoiled. 😆😂😁🤣
OGDINK here. I refuse to add "wad." We did not have children because we didn't feel maternal or paternal. It wasn't for our careers. It wasn't for fun. It's just who we are. We revisited it every few years. It didn't change.
I would add: Stop competing with others in living your life. If you want children, dedicate your finances to that, not, the newest phone, techy toy, shiny car etc ... Of course you cannot afford children if you are already living beyond your means.
Yes!! Of course you can't afford ____ when you're living beyond your means!! So so so hitting the nail on the head with that one!
We are a single income and homeschool our kids and I have people tell me all the time it must be nice to be able to financially afford staying home for that. We sacrifice a ton to make it work. Smaller house, older van, camping instead of hotels, driving instead of flying, and cheap phones. But people don't want to hear that they and their stuff are the reason they can't do something.
@@EFN86 Congratulations on what you've accomplished! That's how it's done.
Lots of people who can’t afford kids are having kids, then looking to the government to take care of them! 🤦♂️
@EFN86 exactly, most people use the scapegoat that they "can't affors kids" because they don't want to admit that they are selfish and unwilling to sacrifice any part of their lifestyle.
Lifestyle choices are a reflection of personal core values. They differ, no need to compete.
…and economic circumstances.
We were not financially ready to have children, but our poor years are before they can even remember. Don’t stress yourself to give your baby the perfect life before conceiving. Having children was the greatest motivator for us to be financially secure and it worked!
My 5 kids tackling me when I get home from an 11 hour day at work is about as close to Heaven as I’ll get here on earth. We work hard, live modestly, and will be empty-nesters by 48, plenty of time for more extravagant vacations then. But, with the joy and fulfillment of our children and grandchildren present in our lives.
I agree! Biggest blessings ever!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
5 kids 🤮
👏🏼 that’s awesome
Love it!
It's absolutely horrible being born into poverty.
Depends on the type of poverty. My dad barely made ends meet but we lived on a farm, not inner-city slums. None of my six siblings or I would trade our childhood and, thanks to the work ethic dad gave us, we've all become successful adults.
@@k87upkidif he made ends meet and you weren't going hungry wouldn't call that poverty
@@k87upkidproblem is over 90 percent of family farms have been bought up by corporate agriculture. Most people have no choice but to live in inner city slums or impoverished trailer parks out in the sticks
Frankly, I don’t think having a kid just because you don’t have a reason not to is a very good idea. For me, the thought of being a parent doesn’t excite or entice me on any level, which means I probably shouldn’t do it.
I would suggest that you don't know. I didn't want kids for a long time and how I have 2 and I would not trade it for anything . They are the best part of my life. So the old me was an idiot! Maybe you are too😂
@@AbnerSolano You might be right. But surely you can appreciate my hesitancy towards doing something irreversible that I have no desire, passion, intention or excitement for, on the off chance I might change my mind *after* the fact lol
Be careful I spent years getting myself into a good financial position. I had a son and it ruined me. I wasn't ready i was suicidal at times.
I have no desire either and I'm getting tired of people not understanding that and saying "it'll come".
@@AbnerSolano how rude. I pity the replicants you bred.
We found out that we were pregnant 20 minutes before this was released 😂
Congratulations!
You americans "we are pregnant" is so strange, only one of you is.
Congratulations!!!
If you don’t live in a red state there is still time.
@@saulgoodman6419 Seriously?? That is messed up.
As hard as it for parents to imagine, DINKs don't have kids because they don't want them. Not because they cant afford them.
It's probably one or the other or both depending on the couple.
Agreed. I’d be willing to bet a lot of people saying it’s because they can’t afford them use that as their reason because it’s more socially acceptable. My wife and I are not kids people. She’s told me she feels like it’s something wrong with her to not have that instinct to want kids. People are judgy.
Also find it hilarious that a Ramsey subsidiary (since they’re all fundy Christians) will of course recommend having kids at any time regardless of if you’re broke and in a ton of debt or not. We have friends who keep popping out babies who are STRUGGLING hardcore financially and begging everyone for money. Birth control is cheaper than children but it’s more socially acceptable to have a bunch of kids when you can’t afford them because someone will always feel sorry for you and the kid. Seems the concept of personal financial responsibility goes out the window once you start having kids.
@@BJ-ui2rc Yeah the furthest they'll go is to say to put the brakes on having any more until their mess is cleaned up, but they'll never tell someone that their piss poor family planning contributed to the mess they've found themselves in, and A LOT of people need have someone directly tell them that it was foolish to pop them out with no plan like that.
At least you're admitting the truth.
@@BJ-ui2rcThere's nothing wrong with not having kids. I do want kids but I don't want to sacrifice my own ambition in order to have kids. I only want kids if the mother is willing to do the actual parenting because I want to focus on becoming ridiculously financially successful. I'm not willing to sacrifice that for kids and I would be as loyal as a dog to their mother but I think I owe it to myself and my kids to realise my own financial goals in life. I think men sacrifice their financial potential when they have children because they end up working less because they have to spend time with my kids. If I did end up having kids then they have to work for me, otherwise they won't see me because I'll be too busy working.
Heh. We're ready and able. We just don't want to. We'd rather be the helpers to others who need the babysitter, kind auntie/uncle, or safe space to land.
The worlds always been kind of a hot mess. We just don’t have social media then to remind us every 3 seconds. So true so true.
Yep! We don't murder each other with swords in giant arenas to amuse bystanders anymore! That really is progress.
37y/o married 13years.
Cant afford kids nor do I want kids with the current state of the county
The "current" state of the country is never ideal...
@@dillonvillon the 90s were way better but ok
Just gonna add a few words/ terms to the conversation.
DINK: Dual Income, No Kids
SINK/ OINK: Single/One Income, No Kids
Childfree: A person who has decided they do not want kids, and actively takes measures to ensure it remains this way.
Fencesitter: A person who is undecided about having kids, or is not using preventive measures to prevent pregnancy.
Childless: A person who hopes to have children, but does not yet have them, or is struggling to conceive/ adopt.
Really surprised by the fact how many people think about finances when it comes to kids... For me, it's just way more obvious, we don't have kids because we don't feel the desire to have kids .. .
Have a 15 month old. We have student loans, car payment, mortgage on 1 bedroom condo…and it’s still doable. If it weren’t for family babysitting I’ll admit it’d be much tougher. Daycare is so expensive. Baby was unplanned , hence the car payment, got the car literally a month before we found out we were having a baby 😭 We still have funds to go to restaurants, went to Poland in the summer, etc all because we budget for it all. Like George said it’s all worth it looking into her eyes, watching her grow and learn everyday, and those baby giggles 🥰
Obviously not much planning all the way around!
At the very least, I now grasp the concept of leverage. Creating wealth and financial freedom isn't as tough as many people believe. Building wealth and remaining financially stable indefinitely is a lot easier with the appropriate information. Participating in financial programs and products is the only true approach to make a high income and remain affluent indefinitely.
Starting early is simply the best way of getting ahead to build wealth , investing remains a priority . I learnt from my last year's experience , I am able to build a suitable life because I invested early ahead this time .
It's often true that people underestimate the importance of financial advisors until they feel the negative effects of emotional decision-making. I remember a few summers ago, after a tough divorce, when I needed a boost for my struggling business. I researched and found a licensed advisor who diligently helped grow my reserves despite inflation. Consequently, my reserves increased from $275k to around $750k.
That does make a lot of sense, unlike us, you seem to have the Market figured out. Who is this consultant?
Finding financial advisors like Jessica Lee Horst who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.
Thank you for this tip. It was easy to find your coach. Did my due diligence on her before scheduling a phone call with her. She seems proficient considering her résumé.
The comment made about this always being a hard world; we just didn’t have social media and news telling us those facts every 2 minutes - that is the #1 thing people need to hear. And more frequently.
As a parent, you are always worried about your kid’s safety, health, and happiness. So it is actually beneficial to limit the news you take in so as to give your brain a break and help you happily raise a kid.
#2 is definitely financial. And debt is robbing their future selves!
We worked hard to clear out both our student loans and car notes. Now we only have the house left to pay, and our day to day is pretty stress free!
Thanks for the content!
Wouldn’t it be better to be better informed, but not be irrationally swayed by the information? Sticking one’s head in the sand for peace of mind seems shortsighted.
Kids are fun. I love my nephews and nieces; but, my sister in law and my brothers face are the best contraceptives method. Debt free, no kids and house paid at 38 is lovely.
I took my niece & nephew back to school shopping yesterday. I let them basically buy what ever they wanted with a rule "must love it, not just like it". They did pretty good not going overboard & I was only over by $2 on my target budget. I was more than happy to do that for them. I'm 42 no children (except my fur baby), no debt just mortgage, happy & content.
I have no debt, house paid off, plus 2 kids
@mariorta5017 “Life starts getting pretty lonely after the age of 45 without children”
-Jordan Peterson
@@wbexteriors9808Did it ever occur to you that we want to be alone? That's the point.
@@wbexteriors9808 nah
Not having money is totally a reason not to have children.
This guy is bullshitting
@@TshepoKotelohe works for Dave Ramsey, he has to parrot his Boomer boss’s talking points or risk getting fired
@@karlstrauss2330 Dave Ramsey had rich parents who loaned him millions of dollars to start his business. He isn't self-made but he talks like he is. Dave Ramsey is a fraud and a fake Christian
This has been insightful and guess I am a SINK, single income no kids
Finances is a valid reason. I got fired at 7 months pregnancy. Not only lost the income, the kid expenses and medical bills keep piling up while living in a cramped apartment but unable to afford anything else. Avg house prise 400k while avg income 24k
FYI.... if you want kids with far less financial woes... adopt through foster care. Youll never pay a dime for the attorney, the state does. Youll never pay for medical bills or prescriptions as state will provide 100% insurance until they are 18. The state will pay for child care and in most cases youll also get a monthly stipend to buy clothes, food, diapers, formula etc. Some states will also pay towards college. Want a kid but want to skip the infant / toddler, diaper years? Fine. You can specify exactly what you want....you choose the age, race, sex of the children you are willing to take and thats all they will call you on when they have a child who needs a home. by fostering you basically get to test drive the children before you commit to adopt them and are doing a great thing as there are plenty of children in need of good homes. I have 8 kids, 4 adopted. I love them all more than life and i cant imagine life without them.
You are a hero. 😊
Sounds like eugenics
You also get a kid with trauma that you didn't cause. It's something to consider.
I understand the Costco comment. Ever been to Costco on a weekend afternoon? It's birth control.
If Costco is birth control, Disney World is a call to celibacy.
Or Walmart at any time of the week.
Another one: IKEA.
Looks like a kindergarden with furniture on weekends
I don’t think you should have kids if you can’t afford them
We waited to the right financial time and my bio window closed 😢
You can still adopt. My wife and I are 31 and have been trying for 4 ish years and have bought a home and no debt and great careers. We are now hoping for the baby but if we are not blessed we will adopt at 35. We have a 4 bed 3 full bath home in California just waiting for kids but our two dogs will do for now and travel is fun too my wife and I are still getting to enjoy each other after 13 years of being together.
So back to the original question, if you do not have low debt, a healthy emergency fund, and a decent paying job then NEVER have kids (unless you love stress and terrible living conditions).
My kids are grown, but daycare wasn't so expensive 20 years ago. So, what happened? Is it because the government placed more regulations on daycare facilities? There's absolutely no reason for it to cost $17K/yr. That is outrageous. Perhaps we need to make changes to allow prices to go back down to something more like they were in 20 years ago.
Combination of things probably. There is definitely more government intervention now, but that's not necessarily bad. You used to never know the quality of the daycare, but now many have to meet minimum parameters.
This is just a hunch, but I'm guessing Private Equity is in it too. Childcare is one of those industries that is a societal necessity like nursing homes and hospitals. So it wouldn't be surprising, but again, just a hunch.
But that would require taking a stand against corporations that seek profits above all else. Dave Ramsey and Company aren’t interested in taking a stand like that.
@@karlstrauss2330 The problems have nothing to do with corporations. At least where I live, the state has laws demanding a certain teacher / student ratio. They also require some percentage of daycare workers to hold licenses, certificates, or certain education levels. One doesn't need a masters in education to tend to an infant. Each of these requirements adds to the cost. I had a friend who owned a daycare business, and he explained a lot of the licensing requirements. It was truly a headache.
@@paulej you are underestimating the pernicious influence corporations have over the control government my friend. They directly and indirectly affect your economic well-being more than you realize.
@@karlstrauss2330 Sure, they influence. But that doesn't explain why the local daycare is so expensive. Those are locally owned and operated. Their cost structure comes about because parents complain about things. Every time there is an incident and people complain, lawmakers think the solution is more regulations. Every regulation drives up costs.
Broke people usually have the most kids. At least in my part of the country.
I'm plenty rich enough to have kids - ironically, because I save so much money being unable to get a date.
it is about time Ramsey addressed having kids. very quick to say you can't afford a car or home but I have yet to hear that you can't afford kids, The biggest expense of all.
Who says I want to be in this world? I was brought in without any consent and society should be afraid of people like me.
Baby step 4,5, and 6 here. And most people can afford to have kids if theyre lifestyle actually matched their income, which most people "arent' willing to do... facts.....
I guess it's a personal choice, isn't it? There are many factors involved in this decision, but if a person wants to have children, they can do so, or if they don't want to do so, it's also especially important to have a partner who intends to be a parent. The world will always be a hot mess regardless economic, social and political situation.
My wife and I just plain decided we dont want them. We value our time, energy, freedom and money more than having a child.
Same. All day. All. Day.
I tell everyone don't have kids, 1 was enough to ruin my life for decades. Now I'm trapped in a town I hate
Why would anyone want kids? It’s beyond me. They ruin your finances and your life. Life without kids is golden.
Why would anyone want women? they ruin your finances and your life, we can both play at this game.
George doesn’t understand the magnitude of pain poverty creates.
Born to parents who aren’t equipt with the financial resources to provide for their children, the danger they expose them to.
No money means you have to work, no money means you pick the cheapest childcare exposing them to child predators.
No money means you can’t afford quality groceries, or in my case I’d you don’t go to school you don’t eat.
No money means frequently getting evicted from your house. No money means you live in the worst neighborhoods, exposed to drugs , gangs and more child predators.
No money means your parents are constantly living life on the edge, they can barely keep themselves alive and you expect them to pour love and nourishment into a child?
What an incredibly privileged and shelter point of view to be able to causally say no money shouldn’t stop you from having children. How many broken adults do we have from selfish people having children who had no business having children?
I’m really sick of hearing all these influencers with money looking down on people doing the responsible thing and not bringing in children into this world to suffer.
Exactly. They complain about welfare, but also complain about there not being enough children to sustain infinite growth. Conservatives also fight nearly every policy that might benefit the middle and lower classes because all they care about are tax breaks for billionaires and busting unions.
When you have children, you step up and work more to provide for your family. You sacrifice your time and comforts for your children, and you make it work. And if you're worried about crime, stop voting for Democrats and their soft on crime policies.
@@DisposableSupervillainHenchman It because your government programs and policies don't work and actually make poverty worse. They create generations of dependence and lack of initiative. It doesn't matter how much you tax billionaires, you aren't going to make a dent in poverty.
Exactly. I would say most of the population in the US these days should not be having kids/ are not qualified. I seriously think you should need a permit to have a child.
Exactly why broke people shouldn’t be having children.
Having money helps you avoid all those problems.
Well dang, I didn't realize my baby was costing me 1400 a month. 😅 I pay maybe $40 a month for diapers, but where is all this cost coming from? My grocery bill went up slightly but that is traceable to inflation, so my existence is also just more expensive. The older years must be killer to get that average I guess.
Our insurance actually includes kids automatically because a spouse is all it takes to get considered a family. I feel like my parents' insurance did too, otherwise they never would have afforded it on just my dad's income like they did.
Kids can be a great thing for people when they are mentally and financially ready but sadly most people make poor choices and all I see is a bunch of people complain about the lack of money, time, sleep, etc. Sucks to suck I guess. Team mid 30's no wife, no kids, no debt (minus mortgage) making six figures and on track to pass millionaire status in 3 years time.
There's no such thing as being ready for kids. Never has been, never will be. If you're waiting for that, you'll wait forever.
@@cisium1184 If that's what you believe more power to you. Some people plan accordingly and it works out well for them, others don't and face many years of headaches ahead.
Team mid-30s, married right out of college, four kids, no debt (minus mortgages), single income that hit six figures a couple years ago, passed millionaire status at 32.
We’re dinks with a dog. I’m 41 now and I knew in my early 20s I never wanted kids. I would rather regret not having them than having them. It’s a huge commitment that I never wanted. I’ll be able to save hundred and thousands of dollars! I get to fly business class when I go to Europe and buy what I want most of the time. My sister had my nephew that looks like me and basically is getting all my assets after I croak. I don’t feel like I’m missing much. Perfect scenario 😆
The question is, why have kids?
So that humanity doesn’t go extinct. Not sure if this is facetious or not.
Eh, not the worst thing if humans die out
Spoken like a true non-parent!
Maybe you don't like kids, but in my own experience, most people do! It's kind of weird if you don't like kids. Not weird to not WANT them (plenty of stressors to being a parent), but definitely weird to not LIKE them.
@heildarsh so what if it does? Humanity doesn't need to exist.
We just don't want kids. I check in with my wife every once in a while and she is perfectly content with animals only. If anything she wants a house with more land so she can add farm animals into the mix, our yard isn't big enough to have chickens.
Ill take long odds that will backfire. Fur babies only fill the hole for so long.
None of us would be here if our parents waited until they could afford us😂
SIBD- single income bunny dad 👍
We are a DIBP double income bunny parents (2!)
Appreciate the video, George. The debut of "Old Dad George" was everything I didn't know I was eagerly awaiting.
My 3rd kid was born not to long ago and what I've learned is there is never a right time to have a kid. If you want kids you'll find a way to make work. Also! Having kids in my late 20s was exhausting, those of you waiting till your mid 30s best be in some good shape.
One last tip, don't buy a TON of toys. My kids were entertained for hours with a big cardboard box and a flashlight.
Seriously having kids in your late 30s is brutal! I wish people had told my husband and i that. We didn't meet until we were in our 30s. We waited to be financially secure and here i am with a 2 year old nearing 40. Smh. Seriously wish we'd started sooner, but atleast we have our wonderful son. One kid at this age is just right for us!
I'm happy to borrow my neices and nephews, sugar them up, and give them back. My freedom and sanity are just as important.
I'm baby number 5 out of 6. All I remember is growing up being hungry all the time. I'd wear underwear and socks that had holes with the elastic shot.
Having a child in a small one bedroom apartment is a bad idea
I don't think so. As long as the child is so young that the door stays open at night anyway, it makes no sense at all. I don't know anyone who has regretted living in a small apartment with a child. They only moved when the children were about 5-6 years old (usually to a better school area).
@Goldzweibel so before they move when the child turns around 5-6 the child just sleeps in the bed with the parents?
@@mhodge0890could do two beds in the bedroom or use a big closet as a place for a bed if possible. Definitely not ideal but we did this for awhile
Tell that to parents in NYC....
I had 2 kids in a 1 bedroom, then 3 kids in a 2 bedroom. Everyone survived.
We lived in a 550 square foot one-bedroom apartment for the past 2-1/2 years while renovating our home. With four kids. It wasn't always easy but the men and women who founded America raised families of 6, 8, 10, 12 kids in smaller cabins without electricity or indoor plumbing.
Budgeted for home assuming 1 income with one kid, and found out we are expecting the same day we put an offer on our now home
I worked very briefly as an elementary school teacher and I can tell you way too many people have kids that have no business procreating. Sometimes it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with being emotionally and mentally prepared to be a parent. Unfortunately I saw many parents who tried to act as if they were single again. They still want to go out with friends and spend their money how they want. These days people are taking a much longer time to grow up. In previous generations people grew up much faster because they had to, and that meant starting families early.
The smartest and more well-mannered kids in my class were born to older parents with advanced degrees. And typically, these older parents were also more financially stable. One mom had even gone to France for the majority of her pregnancy because she said France has low rates of autism. She could afford it and her son isn't autistic.
So while I wouldn't say wait until you're in your 50s to start a family, I think it's better for most people to wait until they are emotionally, mentally, and financially ready to have kids.
The variable with the most influence on the number of children a society has per capita is the education level of the women. The more education, the lower the per capita birth rate. There are other factors that come into play, of course, but this one is the most influential.
Australia's housing price is around 1.3 mill already :(
Lower interest rates = higher home prices
Lower home prices = higher interest rates
Welcome to the world of financed real estate. They get you one way or another.
It’s been the same for Los Angeles, starter homes 1million and now 1.3 million. So many extended families and multigenerational rent a space together 😮
Yes, unfortunately it’s the sad truth. Ppl need to stop having kids and thinking the government is gonna foot the bill.
I get what you're saying but we are already at a historically low birth rate here in the U.S. which is going to cause major issues when you and I are in our elderly years. Btw, go buckeyes!
We need to disincentivize having children out of wedlock. We also need to heavily incentivize having children inside of wedlock.
@Painfulwhale360 But we also shouldn’t be having kids just so they can become caretakers. We should focus on creating better quality of life for longer and developing new technologies to make life easier.
The shrinking size of each generation has nearly bankrupt social security. The government is so desperate for Americans to have more kids they're glad to fork out even more money now in hopes of preventing the looming economic and social collapse.
@@navyseal4000you can have them in wedlock and still end up divorced. 🤷♀️
I don't want kids but even if I did a huge reason is the fact that I live in the United States, and our health care system is a complete f****** joke
American health used to be the best (and most expensive) in the world. Now it’s just the most expensive.
When my kid got off baby food, it was a pay raise. When he was off diapers, another pay raise.
The answer is a resounding YES! I’m barely scraping by on what used to be considered a good salary.
I can’t even afford to go out and meet people to go on a date, let alone get married and have children.
It's as simple as this. I don't have a 60 acre homestead in the middle of no where and need additional physical labor on the farm. In modern society where the grocery store is minutes away the act of having children is left to those who truly desire them. Beyond that they are just a financial liability without much ROI. There is no guarantee your kid will like you enough to change your diapers in your old age.
Hell, I have acreage out in the country (not 60 though) and I still don't want kids.
@@krn2683 if you had a farm they required a lot of labor you may change your mind if you wanted 18 years of free labor
I didn’t think I could afford 1 and wound up raising 4 ( all girls ). Kids are great, If I could go back in time and start over, I wouldn’t change a thing
We had a one bedroom tiny condo with our first baby.
How that worked out? Like where do you put the crib? In the living room?
@@mhodge0890the bathroom
My parents had a 3 bedroom house on 3.5 acres. I'll choose my childhood for the win.
as a 35 man I just do want children because it a lot of responsibility..but that me ..
Look man , do what you want ..
(25m) I feel like I need to be in Baby Step 7 before I even start dating. Why spend money going on dates when I could be maxing out retirement and saving for a house?
I don’t find my kids super expensive. Yes they’ve raised food prices but it’s all reasonable to me. I’ve just learned how to manage food waste and cook more from home. Rent is what sucks for us. Most of our baby/child items were gifts or hand-me-downs and the rest were bought second-hand very cheap. I haven’t found diapers to be unreasonable either and we only spend 20-30$ per month on diapers per kid (I have two in diapers). We are on WIC so they pay for the formula we’ve needed or I’ve breastfed. I find everything else expensive but kids are happy with very little so we haven’t fallen into the trap of needing tons of expensive stuff for them
Granted. We are fortunate enough that I get to be a stay-at-home mom so we don’t have to pay for child care. When I do work, it’s part time when my husband is home. We also paid off all our debt which thankfully was just car loans before having kids
Kudos to you guys for raising kids using common sense instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses.
So basically other people's money us paying to feed your kids. Yeah, I'm sure you don't find it expensive . 🙄
Don't want kids, never wanted them and my wife and I love our lives without them. The DINKWAD lifestyle is awesome.
I wish I were kidding with this comment, but I think this video should have included the pros/cons if having kids will require a family to go on government assistance.
I just had my 3rd kid and it's nothing but a blessing from the Lord.
George, we just read, Family Driven Faith. I think you'd love it, be encouraged, and challenged.
Sorry George. That is terrible advice to tell people that money is not a reason to avoid having kids. Poverty is real.
Many of us had kids with low income
Our desire to work hard and improve made us better and wealthier
Well it only gets harder to have kids as you get older
@@richardfederico9461 oh I agree many do as you said. Totally possible. However, I think suggesting it is ok to have a child when already struggling to pay bills can be irresponsible and the kids pay the price. Especially considering if the parents are already struggling to survive, it unlikely they are saving for retirement. Then they end up relying on their child and perpetuating the financial struggle.
Again, it's possible to be fine for responsible people. I just think it's a bad idea to encourage it.
@@DrMuffins354not if you don't want them 😂
I have 1 kid, and have tremendous pressure from parents/friends to have 2nd kid. My reasons for not having seconds are
1. Financial - (I want to reach FI soon, and if I have 2nd kids, it will be delayed another ~10 years or even more)
2. Sleep - definitely part of it... I don't want to go back to that time
3. Selfishness - I like my daughter, but I don't think the incremental joy of having 2nd kid will be less than the two hits I mentioned above
I went from wanting 5 kids to just 1 sadly. Its rough out here.
It would be extremely tough to have kids and save in a retirement plan today unless you have high paying jobs, or live in the slums and put your entire family’s lives at risk. My relatives with really high paying jobs are the only ones having kids.
I first heard the term 15 years ago from my boss (same age as me) when I got married. Was only a Dink for a little over 2 years.
Outstanding video, George! Thank you :)
I’m almost 32 weeks pregnant and my husband and I are so scared.
We’ve paused the debt snowball to stash up as much cash as humanly possible.
I’m spending 20 years to build my emergency fund before kids is all.
our first abode had mold issues in the in ground heating vents among other issues with the house itself..... it was no place to have a child in.
living with inlaws and ZERO privacy boundaries causing issues for me, I was having hormone issues making child bearing VERY difficult to maintain..... and my husband was having extreme work related anxiety episodes to the point I thought I was going to lose him to it.....we had to work though these things first before trying to throw a child into the equation.
Physically, mentally, and monetarily a child was going to break us and we had to take a break from the housing market during covid for those same reasons. we didn't want to wait as long as we did, we wanted a child much sooner, but sometimes life doesn't work the way you want to plan it to.
We got a house and 2 years latter we were blessed with a son recently. Sometimes timing is everything and don't let the pressure of other people ruin your marriage or life over things out of your control. Also children are worth it and only wait for the right reasons.
I think he definitely misses a big part. A lot of families who are DINKS could probably afford kids, they just don’t want them. Freedom and the ability to spend your money on you and sleep and vacation whenever you want. I think if you haven’t had a kid by 30 you probably have it so well financially and are able to do whatever you like that it would never he worth giving it up
Valid concerns, he's probably just focusing on the money part because that's what you go to Ramsey for.
This is cute I bareky keep my bills paid and that without any luxuries
DINKS for life. Money isn’t the reason but it’s an incredible silver lining!!!!
Never really pictured being a parent when I was growing up - my wife never wanted kids either.
I grew up middle class I'd say but parents complained about money constantly and many times I felt like a burden - I always wondered if there was a connection between that and not wanting kids...
Hoping I can scale back work hours in the next few years, I make pretty good money but hours are miserable and feeling burned out. That might not be an option if I had kids.
It takes a lot of "outside the box" thinking to afford kids nowadays, but it is absolutely possible. We live very comfortably on basically one income (we both have businesses, but they are not full time), but we also don't pay for childcare, most things are bought second hand, we don't drive fancy cars, have no debt, and grow a lot of our own food.
I didn't want kids. Even when I got married, I didn't want kids. We now have a kid. I'd die for him ❤
We want more now.
Having kids should be like school don't do it if you can't afford it. The rest of the population shouldn't have to cover costs for your bad decisions.
Getting ready for my first child. Making about 20,000 USD a year. Wife and I are about to buy a house and it feels like a dream. There are ways to raise kids cheaply, too. Like we picked up a stroller for 5 bucks, and it's going to last a long time with a bit of repair and elbow grease.
We have no debt and became mortgage free at the age of 33.....with 3 sons. Had our first at age 21. Wouldn't have changed a thing. Kids just make life better
Absolutely the cost of childcare. My neighbor pays $1200/month in childcare. That's literally 1/3 of our income! 😩
Answer : yes
We can barley afford a home now, how would our kids even start in todays market?
It’s going to worse for them
As someone who focused on my career and business, i got financially comfortable first, without ever looking into the cost of kids. I incorrectly assumed kids would be thousands of dollars per month because thats what the media made them out to be. Reality is kids are cheap. As a result were going from 1 to 3 kids. I couldnt be happier.
I hate the fact that the "official" cost of kids is based on such an extravagant lifestyle. Who knows how many other would-be parents didn't have kids thanks to the government and media lies about their cost.
Get your finances in order before you have children. Learning to live on less and learning how to sacrifice and put yourself last. We saved a fortune by me staying home..zero daycare, everything made from scratch and less taxes.
It’s getting harder and harder to afford children + own a property + pay off debt etc….inflation and cost of living ain’t no joke. But if you definitely want kids, you really have to sacrifice and prioritise this goal! Do what you want to do!
Don’t wait for your 40’s to get pregnant. My boss said menopause jumped on her when she turned 40. No lead up, it just snuck up on her.
I'm supposed to have my debts paid off in 2 years and 2 months... I'll revisit the idea of kids then. If I can't be responsible for myself how can I expect to be responsible for a kid? Just my viewpoint.