When am i too old for more kids?

[Anonymous]

Some people value financial stability more than the physical advantages youth often brings. Problems arise when they insist that there is no tradeoff. Then the vicious attacks begin.

[Anonymous]

... or when people won't admit that "financial stability" cannot only (or even most often) be achieved until one's late 30s!

92% of the first year class at Harvard Law has been out of college less than five years. That means most of them are in their early to mid 20s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... or when people won't admit that "financial stability" cannot only (or even most often) be achieved until one's late 30s!

92% of the first year class at Harvard Law has been out of college less than five years. That means most of them are in their early to mid 20s.

Yeah and probably 99% of them are now paying off 6 figure school loans. Not sure if I'd consider that financially stable quite yet?

[Anonymous]

Ha! Seriously? You only consider someone financially stable when they have paid off all of their student loans? Ha. Well, then, yes, that's a high bar indeed. If that's the case, many of the lawyers in D.C. who are making $200k+/year are still not financially stable.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP - do you have your answer now?

[Anonymous]

I had full-ride scholarships and had earned my grad degree by age 25 and then got a government job. Waiting until 40 to have kids would have brought me more money but not more stability.

[Anonymous]

Hey Jeff-

Can you delete this post so we can just move on from this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Seriously? You only consider someone financially stable when they have paid off all of their student loans? Ha. Well, then, yes, that's a high bar indeed. If that's the case, many of the lawyers in D.C. who are making $200k+/year are still not financially stable.

This can't be true. Someone who would willingly pay interest even though they don't need to is someone who isn't financially wise and is likely not making the $200,000 income to begin with. By the time someone is earning $200,000 they've become financially saavy and they know the first thing to do is to get rid of large loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey Jeff-

Can you delete this post so we can just move on from this?

If you don't like this post, don't open it. There are thousands of other posts that you can get involved in other than this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Seriously? You only consider someone financially stable when they have paid off all of their student loans? Ha. Well, then, yes, that's a high bar indeed. If that's the case, many of the lawyers in D.C. who are making $200k+/year are still not financially stable.

This can't be true. Someone who would willingly pay interest even though they don't need to is someone who isn't financially wise and is likely not making the $200,000 income to begin with. By the time someone is earning $200,000 they've become financially saavy and they know the first thing to do is to get rid of large loans.

I realize that this is now taking us away from the other discussion (good thing too, LOL), but to respond to this, you'd be surprised how many people earning 200K really don't know much about finances and in fact have no idea that they should pay off their high-interest loans first! I know many people in the latter category and it always amazes me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What we older women are saying is that DESPITE THESE OBVIOUS SIGNS OF AGING, there are STILL many tremedous advantages for a child to have a parent that is well established financially, emotionally stable, in a long-standing relationship, and possibly better educated also and for most women these advantages come in late 30's or in the 40s as opposed to the twenties or early thirties.

Actually, I'd say that's true for "some" women but not "most." Most women who are going to get those things already have those things before their late 30s.

But do you think most people in their 20's or early 30's have made a serious dent in their mortgage loans? Do you think they have paid off all their educational loans? Do you think they've paid off their car loans? Can the 20's or early 30's mom afford to be a SAHM without her husband struggling financially? For how long? If God forbid she and her husband die, how much is left for their child to live on - is there enough for him to live on and eventually go to college or even beyond? If a 20's or 30's something husband or wife loses their job, how many months can they get by with no salary before they start to worry?

I think many people in their 40's can be a little bit more relaxed about these questions than younger women. And being relaxed about finances and relaxed about your relationship really can help to make a parent more patient and attentive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Seriously? You only consider someone financially stable when they have paid off all of their student loans? Ha. Well, then, yes, that's a high bar indeed. If that's the case, many of the lawyers in D.C. who are making $200k+/year are still not financially stable.

This can't be true. Someone who would willingly pay interest even though they don't need to is someone who isn't financially wise and is likely not making the $200,000 income to begin with. By the time someone is earning $200,000 they've become financially saavy and they know the first thing to do is to get rid of large loans.

I realize that this is now taking us away from the other discussion (good thing too, LOL), but to respond to this, you'd be surprised how many people earning 200K really don't know much about finances and in fact have no idea that they should pay off their high-interest loans first! I know many people in the latter category and it always amazes me.

I'd be shocked if this were true. The people I know who earn this income know better. If they are very young professionals (I know a few young surgeons), they often have very involved parents who guide and advise them on financial matters and urge them to pay off the high interest loans. Or they take courses on how to manage their money. If you don't mind me asking, what are the occupations and educational level of the people you are speaking of? Are they highly educated? I don't mean to sound arrogant in asking this question, I'm just wondering if education plays a role in how people manage money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Seriously? You only consider someone financially stable when they have paid off all of their student loans? Ha. Well, then, yes, that's a high bar indeed. If that's the case, many of the lawyers in D.C. who are making $200k+/year are still not financially stable.

This can't be true. Someone who would willingly pay interest even though they don't need to is someone who isn't financially wise and is likely not making the $200,000 income to begin with. By the time someone is earning $200,000 they've become financially saavy and they know the first thing to do is to get rid of large loans.

I realize that this is now taking us away from the other discussion (good thing too, LOL), but to respond to this, you'd be surprised how many people earning 200K really don't know much about finances and in fact have no idea that they should pay off their high-interest loans first! I know many people in the latter category and it always amazes me.

I'd be shocked if this were true. The people I know who earn this income know better. If they are very young professionals (I know a few young surgeons), they often have very involved parents who guide and advise them on financial matters and urge them to pay off the high interest loans. Or they take courses on how to manage their money. If you don't mind me asking, what are the occupations and educational level of the people you are speaking of? Are they highly educated? I don't mean to sound arrogant in asking this question, I'm just wondering if education plays a role in how people manage money.

Yes, all are highly educated int their fields, just not in money management. The people I'm referring to (all relativesd and good friends) include two doctors, one scientist, and one lawyer. Like you, I was initially shocked when I found out (came out in a casual conversation), but I now realize that it is far more common than we think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey Jeff-

Can you delete this post so we can just move on from this?

If you don't like this post, don't open it. There are thousands of other posts that you can get involved in other than this one.

Im just saying...some of you women are a little unstable and I feel like your shrink wouldn't appreciate the fact that this post is really putting you a few steps back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What we older women are saying is that DESPITE THESE OBVIOUS SIGNS OF AGING, there are STILL many tremedous advantages for a child to have a parent that is well established financially, emotionally stable, in a long-standing relationship, and possibly better educated also and for most women these advantages come in late 30's or in the 40s as opposed to the twenties or early thirties.

Actually, I'd say that's true for "some" women but not "most." Most women who are going to get those things already have those things before their late 30s.

But do you think most people in their 20's or early 30's have made a serious dent in their mortgage loans? Do you think they have paid off all their educational loans? Do you think they've paid off their car loans? Can the 20's or early 30's mom afford to be a SAHM without her husband struggling financially? For how long? If God forbid she and her husband die, how much is left for their child to live on - is there enough for him to live on and eventually go to college or even beyond? If a 20's or 30's something husband or wife loses their job, how many months can they get by with no salary before they start to worry?

I think many people in their 40's can be a little bit more relaxed about these questions than younger women. And being relaxed about finances and relaxed about your relationship really can help to make a parent more patient and attentive.

I'm 33 and my husband is 37. We own two cars that are fully paid off, have no educational loans outstanding, and have enough money saved to pay our mortgage tomorrow if we want. I can afford to be a SAHM with our savings that will last us for two years.