[EngineerGalinIA]

I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter and I am considering a domestic adoption of an infant. I would like to add to my family for several reasons but I have one nagging concern....how can I afford it?

How do those of you that have 2 + kiddos afford the adoption costs, much less the raising expenses?

Do you have family members that help you with day care?

Domestic adoption I'm penciling out would cost roughly 30 K. I could have half of that saved in the next 6 months - I teach college classes part time in the evenings at home.

Your thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated. Feel free to PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting.

Thanks-
Ann

[SKL]

One thing that might help you is if you figure the adoption tax credit into your W-4 exemptions (if you are pretty sure the child will come home this year). Then you would be able to accumulate the cash well before you would have gotten it through a refund.

Aside from just living lean, I don't have a lot of other advice. I brought both of my girls home together, so I was childless when saving for their adoptions. I worked long hours and traveled for a really demanding job, but I wouldn't do the same with a 3-year-old at home.

I don't find it that much more expensive to raise two children than one, though they are the same age, so that probably makes a difference.

[GuatMommy2Be]

I would look into hiring an attorney and networking yourself.

When we looked into this, the cost (as we do not EVER want to use an agency again) one atty was $3000, and another was $5000. That handled just about everything - this was also the in-state cost. However.. it would be up to me to network/advertise and find the bmom myself.... The only reason we're most likely not going with this option is that in PA the Bmom has 30-days to change her mind.

[AngelQT]

Ann~

Not sure I can answer all the questions, but trust me when I say this...

It isn't easy, but well worth it~

I am single mom or 2, biological siblings. Angelena came home at 5 1/2 months, I was over the moon with her. I loved the her and me stage, and of course, grandma lives with us. Then I recieved that phone call, the Bio mother was expecting and if I was interested... My heart said yes, my pocket book said no. BUt how could I not do it? There was a reason Angelena was put in my hands, it was Gods Choice. (needless to say, I don't preach much)... But, I felt as thou, Angelena was my blessing, and that phone call was my 2nd chance. I said yes, not knowing where or who I was going to come up with the money. Looking at the whole picture, the $$ in one lump sum is a lot, but when it really comes down to it, I didn't have to have all the money at that moment. So I took the leap, pull money of a Credit Card, and started... Angelo came home at 10 months, and yes, I had Garage Sales, Fund Raisers, I took on extra work... Where there is a will there is a way.

Fast forward to today... $$ money is tight, Angelena will be starting pre school in September, Angelo stays home with family. Either my Mom, neice or sister watches them right now. I have limited my work, that I will not travel like I used to, I don't work Overtime unless I do it in the morning, and I spend every waking moment I can with my kids. Many people tell my I don't have a life anymore, I don't go on vacations, I don't go out with people anymore, and I don't do as much socializing as I used to. BUt you know what... I don't care... I love being with my kids, my kids are my life, and it is SO WELL WORTH every minute I have with them.

I can't imagine life without my Lil Man. I know if I had said no, I woul have regretted for the rest of my life, and what would I have told Angelena in a few years, that I turned her brother away... NO WAY~! Both my kids are completely different, yet, they are alot alike... Some people say spoiled... I say WELL LOVED!

And something else... I would do it again in a heart beat! Now if only Guatemala would open back up again!

Good luck with what you decide!

[kerriv]

I went into my 1st adoption knowing, without a doubt, that I would adopt a second time. I adopted an older child the 2nd time for several reasons, one of them so I wouldn't have to pay for 2 in daycare. However, public schools aren't working for us so next year I'll be paying for daycare for one and private school for the other. Go figure.

I didn't take out any extra debt for my 2nd adoption (paid for it with the tax refund from the 1st one) so that helped. I do most of our clothes shopping at a big consignment sale or Target.

We don't have a ton to spare but we do okay, probably better than many. I know I could still cut back a lot more if I had to. It is so worth it. My daughters definitely have sibbling squabbles but seeing the love they share is beyond anything I ever imagined.

[Mary Mulcahy]

When I adopted my second I took out a loan which I am still paying off even with the tax credit. Next year both my children will be in school so my day care will decrease almost $500.00 a month. I would not change it but it is not easy. I have to watch every single penny and I do without a lot. We have a nice home and we are not starving but the extras are gone. The boys can particpate in one extra event a season. Right now its soccer, in the summer it is swimming. We only eat out on specials and I never buy anything unless it is on sale.

The day care cost are killing me but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. I think we all want (rather than really need) too much and I think it is good for our kids to understand getting things is not automatic.

THe hard work is outweighed by the joy.
Mary, mom to Danny (soon to be 7) and Ricco (soon to be 5)

[EngineerGalinIA]

Thank you for sharing your information.
Ann