The fact that some parents seriously regret having children for financial reasons disturbs me greatly. If they were too young or too greatly in debt at the time I understand, but if they felt having children deprived them of the high life they could have enjoyed had they not had children - that pains me to hear.

I think children have the potential to bring so much more joy into our lives than any financial reward ever could.

-Raymond

I think since our CEO's of our Manufacturing Base do not hesitate and are able  to leave the U.S. and go to China for cheaper labor costs, we too, as Americans should be able to get and go out of the U.S. for better Loans and Interest rates for Morgages  from China Banks or such the likes of it.  (What ya think of them Apples?)

children are a blessing that you can't put a price tag on. Sure there are times when it seems pretty tough from a time and money perspective, but when those little darlings look up at you and say or do the cutest things, it's all worth it. When our kids were little, I used to say that we had built-in entertainment, as when I got home from work and supper was done, it's time to play with the kids. We didn't need to go anywhere or spend any money since we had all the fun we could handle with them.

Actually, you can put a *price* on children, because at some point, the cost of child rearing is so much that you choose to stop having children or not have any children.  The reason people choose to have two kids instead of three is largely financial.  And the fact that some people's dollar amounts are lower than others really doesn't give you a right to judge them, lest you be judged for not having *enough* children.

don't wait on your significant other to reach their goals. get out there and do it for yourself. i wish i had gotten a "real job" after college instead of getting lil temp jobs and internships here and there while i waited on him to propose. if i had gotten a real job, i'd have at least 2yrs of good, solid work experience on my resume and some captial in the bank for when we did get married and moved cross country to his first duty station. i also would not be in ANY debt EXCEPT FOR my FEDERAL student loans. which wouldn't be as bad as it is now. i'm in alaska (the cost of living here is the highest in the country next to hawaii. so ny and california can piss off!) with no job and no capital and debt out the whazoo. sure it's mine and it's my fault for not getting it paid off sooner, but the way he treats me now b/c of it is pathetic. we're in therapy tho. also, don't marry anyone who isn't of the same financial mind as you. i'm a spender, with enough common sense to save when i can. but being here, savings isn't going to happen. we're just getting started and the cost of living is high. he wants to do things (like visit family when we pcs to nc for a years worth of training) that we have no money or time for, but insists on saving for it, instead of for bills and life here. he's also more concerend about HIS retirement and HIS bills then he is anything else. his love of money and paranoia of never haiving any/enough is disgusting b/c that just won't happen. if worst comes to worst, our families can and are willing and ready and able to help. and he has assets (his dad made sure he had a portfolio before he was 16). but pride cometh before the fall............ makes me feel as if i'm some burdened on his life. sure it makes me regret not getting a "real job" after graduation b/c if i had, we'd have more money, but i didn't so get over it! yeah, therapy isn't helping much. so go to thearapy if you want to, but just remember that in the end, you'll only have yourself, so you might as well take care of you first before you get involved with someone else. b/c once you do, it's not about YOU. i've been there for him more then ANYONE else he's ever really known but i just don't feel like his recipriocated enough.........yeah, don't get involved with anyone who isn't of the same financial mind as you. religious and political differences we can agree to disagree on. money we cannot.

My house is too big, my boat is never used, my wedding cost less than $5,000, so I'm probably not guilty on that front.  

My son is totally worth it.  Sure,his  adoption cost about $25k and he has some health issues that have us spending probably $300-$3500/month on copays, not to mention diapers, formula, clothing, toys, carseat/stroller/etc.  Plus, the 12 weeks leave from my job wasn't enough, so I resigned.  But, what he is adding to our life is so worth it.  Although, I must say that financially, we are probably better off this way, than if we had had kids (for free) 10 years ago like we wanted.  We are a lot more financially well off than we were then, even with the extra expenses of failed fertility treatments, adoption, travel to his birthstate, and now having to buy formula.

And so we see how polarizing the question of whether or not to have children can be.  I thought this article was supposed to be a discussion of expensive financial foibles, not how rewarding (but expensive) kids can be.  

Just to put in my two cents, some people aren't suited for children.  If they are working long hours in a high-stress demanding careerto make that money, then I don't see how they have the time to devote to children, hence nannies.

But the ones grumbling about someone's audacity to say "no, thanks" to kids aren't talking about those kind of people.  You're talking about Mr. & Mrs. Doe down the street barely making ends meet on two paychecks already.  They regret having children because they can't provide all the things kids need these days.  

My mom raised two kids alone on a low income by skipping meals to make sure my sister and I ate.  I'm sure she regrets having kids when she did and I don't harbor any ill feeling towards her for that.  I'm 23, childless, and plan on staying that way because I saw how hard it was on her.  I know how hard it was on me.  I missed out on a lot of opportunities because I knew better than to ask.  Not asking hurt less than seeing the pain in her face for not being able to give it to me.  

Bottom line is, it's a deeply personal decision and no one should make you feel guilty for being true to yourself.

We're the richest country in the world and we take it for granted that we can have anything we want.

I love my children and would have them again if I could, and maybe one more, but one thing I would not do, financially speaking, is let them go to a college that we can't pay 100% for.  My oldest went to one of the best schools in the US, top 40 or 30, and we spent a lot there, but she still needed student loans.  She graduated with a degree in economics - and then decided to do a couple of years with AmeriCorps and then to become an artist!!!  I don't think she realizes just yet what her career choices will mean, especially considering her student loan payments.  My youngest has been told that she can only go to schools that we can pay 100% for.  

I have no children, and choose not too, however, thanks to Uncle Sam, at 47 and because I make six figures and live modestly, I am raising a family of four, courtesy of good ole USA. I pay sufficient taxes, property, state, federal, and pay for the needy American, Mexican, fill in the blank. I live on 68% of what I make, I have no ipod, hdtv, or flat screen tv. My old stereo, old tv of ten years(yes that is a 42in sony) and drive an older car. Since I am a white female, and my Father made $367 dollars to much as a school teacher, I put myself through school even though I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. Thanks to reagonomics and reverse discrimination. Now, if your saying kids are priceless..... who are you kidding. I assist my siblings and brother-n-laws with their kids too..... babysitting, and contributing extra dollars. I am tired of people having 4, 5, 6 plus kids and not being responsible enough to pay for their own dang kids..... please.... kids are not priceless.... they are pricey.... and those of us that have none know who pricey...... geezzzzzzzzzzzz