Quote:
Originally Posted by lewdog
So why did you have only 1 child if you don’t mind me asking?
Finances is not the only reason. Autism and some other disorders run on my wife’s side. Getting a normal child and not wanting to play the genetic lottery again was a bigger factor.
I’m an only child and have no regrets not having siblings.
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Look, I don't have a super strong opinion on the kid thing, and frankly, your reasoning is more sounds than most decisions regarding children. Nonetheless, here is my unsolicited, unprofessional and almost certainly wrong opinion on the matter.
Virtually all of my assumptions regarding the decision points about having kids were anywhere from off base to straight wrong.
How much money it would actually take? Nope.
What we actually needed? Nope.
What the first few years would be like? Not really.
What changes I'd need to make at work? Nope.
How age would impact us? Nope.
How the second one would go? Nope.
We waited because I wanted to have all my shit together before we brought a life into it. Most likely it wouldn't have materially mattered after about grad school. It didn't take nearly as much money as I thought it would. We have a boy and a girl and we called it good. I don't know how it would have started earlier, maybe we'd have more, maybe we'd have quit at one. For all the planning and shit I wanted to do because it's an epic decision that involves another life that I couldn't live with myself if I ****ed up, didn't really make any difference in the end. What that means to you, who knows?
I sit at home with my 2 kids being the 3rd (and youngest) kid myself. My brother was an accident and the reason my parents got married. He's the kind that does the bare minimum. He's satisfactory. From a pure horsepower perspective, his brain is better than mine (and I'm proud of mine). I don't know what truly winds his clock, but it isn't work, or success in any traditional form. He's not a mooch - he's self sufficient, but I don't know if he anything to retire on, or even if he has any capacity to deal with the unexpected. Whatever, not my problem. My **** sister is the worst. The absolute worst. And here I am, the youngest, running the family business, and handling the trust after my parents pass.
I know that has dickall to do with my kids, but it has occurred to me that numbers might increase the probability of a more favorable outcome.
All that means nothing, particularly for your case, but that's life from my perspective. [/unsolicited, unprofessional and almost certainly wrong opinion on the matter]
Now, go forth and enjoy your child.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pointer19
I threw a spreadsheet together for my monthly budget, and it looks like my NW increases by about $2500 monthly between paying down loans and investing/saving. Not too shabby for a guy my age I guess?
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Excellent work. Sock that shit away. Cash always spends.