How expensive to have 3rd?

[saymum]

I really want to have another baby. To the point that my DH says I am obsessed. He is worried that we can't afford it. I have a boy and girl so I have all the clothes (ridiculous amounts), blankets, pram, cot etc. We have a small mortagage and handle all our bills. How expensive is a third child? Did it break your budget?

[bambi79]

Where theres a will, theres a way!

It doesnt break your budget as some say. You have everything for baby so its not like you will have to buy all over again.
I went for number 4 as well. Now, if you were asking about having a 4th with breaking the budget, then I might have to say 'a little' :laughing: :laughing:
That meant a bigger car, a 4th bedroom, just a couple that springs to mind.

All in all, its waaay worth it though! :yes:

[fra99le]

I am new to this site, and was just looking along the same lines as this thread!!! I am 24 weeks PG with my 3rd, but his one was a surprise, and hubby is so worried that we won't be able to afford it. I keep telling him that you make do with what you have. We also have boy and a girl, with stacks of clothes for both, cot pram etc. So similar situation I think!!! So glad you think it won't be too hard Bambi, thanks!

[M~T~J~M]

:wave:

It really depends on the financial situation you are in, and what sort of 'quality of life' you're happy with.

If you're finding it hard now, then yes, it will be harder. If you're just scraping in now, then yes, it'll be harder. If you're doing ok, but could have more, then yes, it'll be harder. If you're ok financially, then it won't be a problem....iykwim?

Having everything for baby is one thing, but what about growing up? What schools are you sending, or wanting to send, your children too?? What sort of house are you living in...eg. Will you need a bigger one.

I guess what I'm saying is, think about ALL the situations you may find yourselves in financially, for at least the next 18 years, then try and base your decision on that. Like, before we fell pregnant with DS3, we had booked DS1 into a private school/kinder, and had also planned to send DS2 there. When pregnant with number 3, we had to decide if we could afford paying a minimum of $3500 - $15000 a year for each of them until they graduated....Not really realistic for a one middle income family to do.

Saying all this, we were only on one income when I had DS3. We had enough money for the bills, kinder fees, rent, etc....but not ALOT for anything else, but we weren't struggling.

DH was very fortunate about 12 months ago to land himself a great job, paying over double what he was on, so now we're having number 4!! As someone else said, having four can really make a huge difference!! We have had to buy a new car, we'll need another cot, more car seats, etc, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes it does come down to $$$, but as others have said, where ther's a will, there's a way!! Good luck with making your decision!!

[bindiloo]

I think common sense answers that question.
Its about as expensive as the first and second in the way of food,nappies,hair and body shampoos,creams,medication if they are sick. The only bonus is u usually have heaps of clothes left over and baby furniture but if your financially stressed already then a third child is just going to cost the same as you've already been forking out so it wont be easier to have a third but more financially stressing.

But of course if you are determined u really want another then i guess u make way for them and u find the money from somewhere.

If u have foxtel get rid of it,try putting your internet thru your internet provider saves a fortune on phone bills this way.
These are some ways to give you some extra money to make some room for a third.
Goodluck hope u get that baby if you really really want it.;)

[Lila]

we have 3 kids- after 7 years we did have a number 3, afterall

in the end having kids IS EXPENSIVE, how expensive, depends on YOU, really.
if you look at if financially only- every single child is a *loss* financially- but a HUGE gain emotionally and in the end - for us- money in the bank is just numbers afterall, but having kids is just wonderful!!!! :flowerz::flowerz::flowerz:

[melbryan]

I have just had my 3rd boy and really as a baby it's only nappies and 1 tin of formula a week everything else I have. Chilcare costs are a killer but I am lucky in that respect, mine cost very minimal.
I they get more expensive as they get old when they are in activities and school I believe kids give back much more than they cost financially. I really want 4 kids and the only new things I need is a bigger car or Dh can stay at home the house is big enough.
In the end we will always find a way to make ends meet, just have to work a bit harder for the next few years, nothing in the whole scheme of things.