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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Delay instant gratification. This includes kids. I really can't stress this enough.

We didn't start having kids until our late 30s because we wanted to purchase a house, whittle away my students loans (still not paid off but the end is in sight), get our retirement investments on the right track, and get a few big promotions.

We are now in a great place to start a small family. The first child will be born this fall. We'll take 6-12 months with the first kid and re-assess.

Again, delay that instant gratification. This economy is unforgiving if you don't have a tech job with crazy salary+benefits or family money. [/quote]

Having kids earlier for us has helped us. Was done by late 20s. [b]I'm the mom, no interruption is work (been maxing out 401k since age 23).[/b]

Oldest kid is 12, youngest 10. Now I'm 38, full career swing,  no need for daycare anymore. Last kid off to college when were 46 and career is at its highest.

Frankly I'd not want to have the expense of daycare when I'm in my 40s. Without that, were saving (excluding retirement) 10k/mo.

Combined 401k , approx 750k, savings/investments 480k and we've been homeowners 12 years, on our 3rd and final house for the next 10 years with 50% equity.

It also was helpful we didn't go to grad school and didn't have student loans (state school)[/quote]

This is a major reason to delay having kids - not even being able to take a break in work.  In your 20s you’re having to climb and prove yourself.  It’s so much easier to wait until you’re older and at a point in a career where you have a lot of saved leave and can take a decent amount of time off for each kid.  I can’t even imagine being use in my 20s.

PP sounds lower class.  State schools, no grad school, kids in their 20s, thinks 750k in a 401k is something to brag about.

You’re doing a huge disservice trying to convince women that they should have kids early.  Having children absolutely affects a woman’s future earnings.  It helps a man’s career but not a woman’s career.  Sounds like you are an exception, but this is hardly the norm.

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[b]LOL it’s not a “disservice” to anyone to point out that for some people having children younger may be the better option.  [/b]It was for me, and I did go to a top tier undergrad and grad program, on scholarship no less.  So that solved the student loan problem.  And it’s not “lower class” to go to state schools and avoid graduate school.  My husband did so and makes more than I do (and has been an equal partner as far as shouldering the burden of having kids).  You sound like a snob.[/quote]

For most women it is NOT the better option.  Most college grads have student loans to pay off and having a child interrupts a woman’s career.  Most professional careers require dedication in your 20s instead of needing to leave work at 5 pm, take sick days, maternity leave etc.  Surely you realize this.  It’s like someone trying to say that having kids in high school is a good idea.  It’s just not.  [/quote]

Having children in your 20s when you are married and have most of your education behind you is NOTHING like having children as a high schooler.  I am not even sure how you think that is analogous.  Like everything in life there will be benefits and trade offs.  Maybe you will not rise as fast early in your career.  Maybe you will need family help if you can get it.  Maybe you won’t have as much disposable income.  But there are benefits too, like not having to worry about infertility, having older children during your prime earning years, etc.  I know people with demanding careers such as lawyers, physicians, etc., who managed it.[/quote]

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