[Childlessmother]

My husband recently decided on international adoption. Due to medical problems I had when I was in my early 20's we are unable to have our own and we both love children. I grew up in a huge family of 13 Aunts and Uncles with over 100 cousins, so I would love to have a child or two even if I am not their birth parent. For the last week I have been looking into financing and it is the hardest thing to find. Considering international adoption cost anywhere between 12,000 and 30,000 it is hard to just pay it out of pocket. Supposedly there are grants to help but...... I even went so far as to order a book about the free gov grants, but they are so hard to understand and find exactly what you are looking for. I would appreciate any help and or suggestions as to how to go about raising the funds for adoption.


Judi

[tobeafamily]

Judi,

We adopted through domestic parental placement. Here are some of the things we did to gather funds:

1. We asked our friends and family to give us contributions to our 'baby fund' in lieu of gifts at Christmas and birthdays.

2. Had two garage sales and told everyone that we were doing this to raise funds to pay adoption fees. We had many people tell us to keep the change and a few who outright gave us money.

3. Sold stuff on eBay and put on our 'about me' page that we were raising funds for adoption fees.

4. Cut a few things out of our expenses (ate at less expensive restaurants, began using grocery coupons, no SCUBA trips, etc.) and 'banked' the savings right away.

5. We didn't, but have heard of others who raised funds through home shows like Homemade Gourmet, Party Lite, Mary Kay, etc.

It took us a year to save $15,000. Total expenses came to $14K, $12K of which we got back through IRS Tax credits and reimbursement from DH's employer.

HTH

Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas

[Pblair]

We took out a home equity line of credit and plan to take advantage of my employers (5000) adoption assistance program and the 10,000 tax credit when the adoption is final to pay that off. Also one plus with that avenue is the double tax credit. The line of credit is tax deductable since it is on our home.
Good luck!
Pat

[JuliannaTeresa]

I Adopted all 3 Daughters with Adoption Grants. Do a Google Search. Corporations list address, e-mail and phone numbers.

Be specific in the amount you want!

With the money that is left over. I started College Funds!

[Childlessmother]

I want to thank you all for all you replies to my messege. Sometimes it feels like you are all alone, and you are frustrated and no one understands. Then it gets depressing because this is what you want as a couple but you have no idea as to how to go about getting any help.

If we ever get to the point that our adoption has gone through and we are back from getting our children, I would like to start a non profit organization to help families looking to adopt to find the necessary information from financing to messege boards like this for support while going through the long process of hurry up and wait.

When I do I hope you all will give me all the suggestions you can so we can help others with cooping with the stress and searchs, and support.

Thank you Again,
Judi