Do you think having children and how many should be based on how much money you earn?

[Bathsheba]

I know what you mean by 'unthinkable' Sherie... most of our friends think we are crazy having more children and not even owning our home. Pfft! I say. Paying off a mortage is just as much a "gamble" as our choices.... interest rates are bound to rise and what's going to happen to all the people who can't afford to make them? They will have to sell/downsize etc...

Please, don't get me wrong, I think it's very financially savvy to budget wisely and plan for your future etc. But at the end of the day (I think) living the "mainstream dream" of homeownership etc means that many families are sacrificing the intangibles of life (being at home when your kids get home from school etc) for something, that, at the end of the day doesn't ensure any more quality of life for a family.

DH and I always say to friends and ourselves (when things get tough money-wise) that "oh well, we can always afford to go bush and live a simple life and that would be ok...". Sure we have financial goals... but the main goal is that we, as a family unit, do not place undue pressure and stress on each other to achieve material wealth. There is more to life

ETA: missed you last post Amym.... reading it now!