Finances, a sticky situation.
Roughly (now I am just quickly adding it up in my head) we have about $44,000 in debt $30,000 of it being college loans which are very hard to keep up with, I could be driving a 2011 Mercedes with the monthly payments I make of school loans! $11,000 being my car (taking forever to pay off) and a few credit cards (small). Our monthly rent for our small 2 bedroom apartment is $1,000 a month and raises to $1,100 a month come august. And then our regular monthly utility bills. Business expenses for hubbys business are quite high, but we do make good money from the business. I used to work in a physician's office laboratory for 65 doctors, but then we moved a few hours away near big cities and cannot find a job #1 and daycare is another $800-$950 a month #2, so we decided I'd stay home.

Little by little we do what we can, right now finances are not a problem but because of our business they could be at any time. But money wasn't a friend of ours years ago when we were having dd. I got laid off work and so did he the same month I gave birth just after I bought a new vehicle. Grrrr!

But I don't care, life has its ups and downs. Need to just roll with it!!!

I love your PMA T4BB2!!!!

i know this is a few days old but i think everybody copes, you just have to cut back on luxury things and you will be fine! i know i was worried as i wanted to give up work after my maternity because i was at uni too so didnt want too much but we would not get any help with any sort of benefits. so will prob have to struggle along but i think babys are so worth the struggle

I was 16 when I had my first (5 and a half years ago now!) And then, we were not financially ready! Our parents and grandparents were fab, and we had loans from them for years! Luckily now they are paid off and - ttc #3 - we are doing well. Although we have to be careful, we have what we need!

I often feel like we are being a bit irresponsible by TTC when we struggle for money but I am turning 30 this year and don't want to be an "old" Mum (nothing against others but my Mum was 40 when I was born and we never saw eye-to-eye and I have psychologically blamed the age difference). We own a very small business in a busy tourist resort on Corfu but the season is only 6 months, so we have to make 6 months money last 12 months - NOT easy! You have probably all heard in the news about Greece's current financial crisis and it is apparant right here where we live. Luckily my in-laws and OH's grandparents still remember life here before the tourists came and pass down their money-saving lifestyle tips. We have a vege garden and fruit trees and heat with wood fires and cook on wood fires. We have chickens so fresh eggs and about twice a year fresh chicken LOL. We do sometimes struggle with bills like electricity and tax but we all live together (same building/separate apts) so help each other out. We own our apartment and our shop so no rent or mortgage. MIL doesn't work so she will take care of LO while the shop is open.

People have been having babies forever and cope at every poverty level. Some co-sleep, some make their own clothes, some breast feed and make their own baby food, some baby-wear with slings from simple fabric. You do the best with what you have. I personally think we are FILTHY RICH with all the love in our house

xx