BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Article about saving money......for parenthood!?!

I read Mary Hunt's advice about Newlywed's guide to money myths.
After reading the part below, it, to me, was a reminder that most people's goals are to have kids and that's it.

"Start out living on one income, and save the rest. This will require going against everything society insists you deserve, but it will allow you to move seamlessly into parenthood. When that day comes, you�ll have an impressive savings account and options."

If we can figure out a way to live on 1 income and save the rest why would our first thought be to have kids and spend the money that we are trying to save? What about vacations, education, medical emergencies, home repairs, job issues etc.? I have a job that does not offer a 401K or benefits but my main concern should be saving for kids? Sorry for the rant. It just was an unpleasant reminder that,as a woman, society tells me that my main focus should be kids and not myself or my fiance.

I thought the concept of living on one income (which I do agree with) is to use the other income for other things that may come up like emergencies and having extra money which can also be used for the needs of the family including kids.

I didn't read the article but from what you posted I didn't take it to mean that the main focus should be about having kids. Of course one should save money for parenthood if that is their goal because kids aren't cheap. It would be stupid not to.

If you are planning for them it's good to think about those things in the beginning and start to plan by getting used to living on one income and lets face it if it's preaching to the majority more people than not will be parents at some point in their lives.



True most people's goals are to have kids. Nothing wrong with that if that's what most people want. We are not most people so what most people choose to do with their lives don't concern me personally.

My husband and I work it like that. My families financial advisor is in favor of this technique. I don't believe in needing two incomes to put a roof over your head. If that means renting, so be it. Hubby's money pays for housing (plus I'm old fashioned and think a man should make his woman feel secure.) My money has paid for my car, our groceries, and vacations, and the all important savings. Kids, no thanks! I'd rather that money be for us. That being said, I realize if only hubby worked that we'd have one car and not much spending money, therefore not much fun! However, it means alot to me to know that we could still live ok and eat well.

I don't know much about saving, since I'm a one person team. I set aide so much of my check and then do with the rest to pay bills and sometime treat myself!

Though I understand how an article like that can remind us how different we are compared to others. While for the most part most of us stick to yourselves and are really just concerned for our own lives. Once in a while we read something or hear something and thing, "is it really only for parents?". I've caught myself thinking this from time to time, a commercial with some happy family will catch my attention. Then it turns out their advertising cold medicine, but parents and kids aren't the only ones that get sick! We all do!

It just seems to me that sometimes people get so wrapped up in parenthood that they forget there are people who aren't parents. By choice or by circumstance, and that despite their attempt to be PC their actually being quite inconsiderate to non-parents.

It's as if their saying only parents get sick, need insurance, surgery, or financial security. These are things EVERYONE needs, sure parents my need it MORE, but what about non-parents with a low income? They seem ruled out as a whole from...everything! It just seems unfair in all.

While what people do with their money, time and lives is hardly any of my concern. I don't think, "thisiseasycash" that the point was that parents DON'T need to save money. Just that it isn't just parents and future parents that need to save money. We all should have a nest egg somewhere, be us child-free or child-bearing. My question is, why did they have to throw in the "seamlessly into parenthood" part? Why couldn't they just add a "general" statement like "seamlessly into what ever your future goals are". The wording was very specific, and with it, excluded anyone who's goal isn't children, which was kinda rude.

My husband and I also live off of one income, although we both work. But we handle expenses a bit differently than those mentioned above. I am actually responsible for paying the bills, but my husband submits his half of the bill load to me so I can write the checks. That works well for us, since I am fiscally conservative and responsible (i.e. don't spend his money on things other than bills), and it allows each of us to realize that we each have our "fair shake" on our household responsibilities. But I understand that a lot of folks like to make one person in the household handle it all.

On the "expectation" of having kids: I hate it too that people expect that kids will be in your future (Arrrrgh!!!). But we are a minority - I keep having to tell myself...

Now sure where I said any of that in my post. I said if one plans to become parents it would be stupid not to save money for it, but whatever.