How many children can a person afford on 1,200 a month?

Hell Kitty--returned from Hell!

When I had 1,200 a month and lived on my own (I mean rent,utilities, food etc) I even couldn't afford a cat.

violin.strings21

zero

BabeHart

Depends on where the person lives and what the person's financial obligations are outside of providing for a child/ren...

A person living where cost of living is high, with a car note, student loan, etc will have a tougher time than someone living where cost of living is lower and who is debt free...

Common sense isn't anymore..

Depends on many factors. Where you live being a huge one. For example in the area I live in, that wouldn't even cover the rent on a one bedroom apartment. In other areas you could rent a small house and pay all your bills.

Honestly though, 1200 isn't much when you factor cost of rent, food, diapers and so forth. I hope you will be asking for child support to help you pay for your child. Diapers alone can run a couple hundred a month. Child care for an infant is extremely costly. Formula, medical expenses (babies have a lot of doctor visits the first year for things like immunizations) and they outgrown clothes every couple months. Add to that the fact you still need to feed yourself, put gas in your car and so forth. Baby supplies (crib, car seat, stroller) are expensive, if you haven't started buying them you should now.

To put it in perspective, I made 1200 a month when I was 18. I can't fathom trying to support an adult and child on that. Everything I can find on it suggests between 6-12 thousand for the first year of baby's life.

My baby brother is having a baby this summer, in baby gifts alone I've spent probably 2K so far and I have only gotten him a stroller, car seat, play pen and some diapers/clothes and such. My mom has spent about the same and gotten a similar amount of stuff, a few bigger items (crib changing table type stuff) So they still need some stuff and about 4-6K worth of stuff has been bought thus far.

We spent close to 1000 a month on our son between child care and such his first 2 years. Child care alone so I could work was about 200 a week and that was a decade ago and someone who discounted it because she was friends with my mother. Usually infants day care is higher.

~Amarie~

None obviously! THis is ridiculous and irresponsible if you have no other income coming in (real income, not welfare or food stamps) to support you and the baby. Why is it that every other question you ask is about alcohol? Do you realize how harmful it is for a fetus to be subjected to alcohol? You need to put the baby up for adoption and go to an AA meeting asap!!!!

Suga Mama

None, That's not much money for a family. I hope you have some other financial help.

<3

none. give it up for adoption. you can only afford a cat or dog.

Jackie

If I was you, I wouldn't plan on having any more. Not with the cost of living now days.

stubby

what? do what all unmarried pregnate / with kids baby momas do,, get on welfare and let the govermaent tak ecare of you

talia

Probably not but if you have people who might want to help out that makes a big difference. Maybe find a second job, would help. The other people are not giving you much advice. It is done and it happen so that is past. Try asking help in places. Many people have raise their kids alone and with 2 or 3 jobs. Is really hard but not impossible. Try to find the alternatives you have and who would be able to help you financially (father) and find who can help you watching the baby while you are at work.

Bad Moon Rising

None. LOve the child and place it up for adoption with no strings attached. That is what love is...selflessness!

Shauna

it can be done!! it really depends on if you live alone if your with the father or if he will be paying child support or helping with the bills. it depends alot on the cost of living in your area!! rent can be a few hundreds of dollars difference depending what part of the city you live in. from how much you make im guessing that the cost of living isnt that high in your area. and you are probably able to get assistance to help you out with the cost of food and daycare and health insurance for you and your children. i have a few friends that receive food stamps from the state and insurance that helps them a bundle! and for your new baby you probably be able to get wic and you can get it right now for yourself! lots of people here on yahoo answers look down on getting assistance from the government but who cares. a couple of people i know wouldnt even be able to survive without it. not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

E&L

That would all depend where you live . . . sorry to say if I was in your situation I would not even be able to afford that child. My housing payment is more than that per month. If I was going to continue to work after having my child, half my income alone would be going towards covering daycare. Kids are expensive.

erika d

wow...only $1200 a month?? Wow my apartment rent is $2100/month. That does not even include electricity, gas, food and recreational activities.

I don't think you will be able to provide a comfortable lifestyle to the baby. A BABY. You have to buy lots of diapers, milk [so expensive], clothing, baby stuff, medical bill--just in case.. etc...and you have to live as well.

It's going to be hard but give it up for adoption. Someone else can give a decent lifestyle to the kid. Some loving couple will care for the child. I don't think you have the right to care for a baby if you cannot even provide the basic things for him/her.

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