The 'cant afford a baby' generation?

always29

This is such an emotive subject isn't it and I've only read half the thread!

I found out yesterday I am pregnant :j - not exactly planned, just a bit earlier than we intended. But finances do worry me, we are in a 1 bedroom flat but stuck with a very hefty redemption penalty until May 2010 and would love to be to be able to afford a small 2 bed house in the same area but this would mean a £200+k mortgage (very little equity / deposit) which would be 5x one of our salary's and I find that a daunting repayment when I will only be on SMP so the potential compromise is, London property market depending, a bigger flat but next year, we are just going to have to save like mad while we can now. As for childcare / commuting, am not even going to worry about that for another 18 months!!! In short (ha!) I think the real killer on affordability is the housing cost, I can so empathise with that now.

Georgie4

Pee wrote: »

I think if you are used to living on two good salaries, which is more likely as you get closer to or past 30, the financial considerations of having children are an issue.

I agree with this totally - not quite so simple when you are used to a good lifestyle, don't think either of you understand the other ones perspective. I am in same position as your friend and would have to pay £500 + a month for childcare which would have a big impact on our finances but with a well paid job I would have to go back to work so it is catch 22. It can be frustrating seeing people who have several children and stay at home but then you have done the sacrificing bit when you were a lot younger so you see nothing wrong with doing that.

Easy to see both perspectives but I think you should tell her she is upsetting you with comments