childless couples and house/money/life

Callie22

wymondham wrote: »

This is fine, but I hope they are also saving for their old age as they have chosen not to have a generation below them to help......

That old saying 'be kind to your kids as they choose your nursing home' comes into play .... who chooses now? ;-)

There's no guarantee that 'the generation below' will help you even if you do have kids - it's probably not a good reason to have kids if you think that somehow guarantees you some kind of care in your old age. We all know that doesn't necessarily happen.

michaels

Kids are expensive even if you spend the minimum (I should know) - you need a bigger house, it needs to be near an OK school, the school costs lots more than you would expect. You need to pay for them to take part in activities, they grow bigger and wear out their clothes

chewmylegoff

I am in a couple in our 30s and my entire social circle consists of couples in their 30s. Only one of the couples has children and they are the only ones who have bought a house.

PasturesNew

I am single .... not being competent at even getting first dates, the concept of stages beyond that are outside of my understanding.

silvercar

moneyinmypocket wrote: »

I know quite a few couples in there 30s who dont want kids or a fancy wedding - they have all bought houses, all go on holidays abroad and all go out for meals, days out, social events.

I think in coming years/decades this section may become more wide spread.

I've had kids, now the youngest is 18 I am free to buy a house, holiday abroad, have social events, days out etc.

So I'm now 48, have the house and the freedom.

Hold on, I've already been doing that. The kids went to decent schools and lived in decent houses - even went on some decent holidays.

Waits to be accused of having my cake and eating it.

RenovationMan

moneyinmypocket wrote: »

I know quite a few couples in there 30s who dont want kids or a fancy wedding - they have all bought houses, all go on holidays abroad and all go out for meals, days out, social events.

I think in coming years/decades this section may become more wide spread.

I love this forum.

You can't have people choosing not to have kids because they enjoy their careers, or because they believe that the world is over populated already or indeed because they are simply just not interested in kids.

No, on here, the reason people choose not to have kids is because they want to buy a house, have days out and go out for meals!

LOL, 'days out'!! Priceless! :rotfl::rotfl:

I mean, can you imagine the conversation...

Boyfriend: "Oh darling, I love you so much! I know, let's have a fancy wedding and then have a couple of kids".
Girlfriend: "Oh! You have made me the happiest girlfriend alive! I would just love to have a fancy wedding and kids!"
Boyfriend: "Well, fancy weddings and kids don't come cheap, we'll have to stop having days out."
Girlfriend: "Stop having days out? Are you serious! I didn't realise that having a fancy wedding and kids would curtail our days out!"
Boyfriend: "I'm afraid that's the trouble these days, you have to choose between fancy weddings and kids or having days out. You can't do both anymore, not in this economic climate".
Girlffriend: "Well, there is no way I'm not going to miss out on the day out to the Leather Museum in Walsal!"
Boyfriend: "I know dear, you've been looking forward to that all year!"
Girlfriend: "And don't forget your day out to the Cumberland Pencil Museum!" You've been going on about it for months!
Boyfriend: "I know, and we never did get to see the Mustard Museum in Norwich and we've always wanted to!"
Girlfriend: "But it's incredibly sad. No money, no possessions, no freedom can bring to you the joy of watching your offspring growing, learning and doing you damn proud. Well, except for those ones who commit murder, sell sex for drugs or mug old ladies I suppose".
Girlfriend: "Yes, there is that, and we do so want to save our pennies and go to the Cornish Pasty Museum in Mexico!"
Girlfriend: "Oh darling, let's forget the fancy wedding and kids in favour of having days out!"
Boyfriend: "Yes, let's do that! Even if it means some sad curmudgeon's on an obscure discussion forum hate us for doing it!"

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

I'm of the opinion that you should start out with a houseplant, and if you can keep that alive then try a goldfish.

If that works then move up to a cat or dog.

And if you can get through a few years without accidentally killing any of the above, it's probably safe to try growing a child.

I never got past the houseplant stage....:o

PasturesNew

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

I'm of the opinion that you should start out with a houseplant, and if you can keep that alive then try a goldfish.

If that works then move up to a cat or dog.

And if you can get through a few years without accidentally killing any of the above, it's probably safe to try growing a child.

I never got past the houseplant stage....:o

I'd fail at the houseplant level .... I've never had pets as they are a long-term commitment and I can't feel confident I'll always be around to feed them etc when they need to be fed.

churchrat

I liked the mustard museum. Think I will give the others on your list a visit.
Has anybody seen Idiocracy?

FATBALLZ

Childcare bill for 2 kids under 5 = £18k/pa.

Not so much 'curtailing days out', more 'living like a tramp'. In holistic terms it's probably a good thing that more people are choosing not to have kids as the world isn't short of people, unfortunately the way the welfare system is set up it encourages the most useless people to have kids, whilst the most productive people can't afford them. A sort of reverse evolution.