Baby Step 4 - how fast?

**scottnsusan** · 11-08-2009, 08:18 PM

Hello,

We are about to sell our home in Minnesota (we moved to Missouri), and after the sale, we will be at Baby Step 4.

We will have about $25,000 in excess cash after reserving money for a fully funded emergency fund, car and home repair accounts, and cash for a new (used) car.

We are considering adopting 1 to 2 more children (we have 3 adopted children now).

We feel somewhat torn in balancing aggressively paying off our mortgage and using the excess cash towards adoption expenses. It feels somewhat selfish to us to focus on paying off our mortgage when we have the resources (space and money) to bring another child into our life that needs a loving home.

I'd like to hear perspectives in regards to this phase of the baby steps.

Thanks for your insight,

Scott

**forHISglory** · 11-08-2009, 08:33 PM

We just moved FROM MO to another state, and I'm not a bit surprised that you have extra money now by moving TO MO. It's fairly cheap living there. But you do have to weigh your circumstances carefully. Are your jobs secure? Whether the money goes toward mortgage or children, it still boils down to security to maintain the commitment.

If I were making these decisions, I would begin to pray about what God wants me to do. Don't know if you are religious or not, so that might not be your path. Until the answer becomes clear, I would pay extra on the mortgage, as this is a way to prepare for the new child, should that be the case.

I commend your loving hearts to open your home. Just make sure the home is secure. Keep us informed.

**kita** · 11-08-2009, 08:55 PM

How are you planning on adopting? Domestic, foster or international? That, as you know, makes a HUGE difference in how easily you can afford the adoption. HOw old are your children? Are they old enough to be supportive of foster children with a few more issues?
Of course the stability of your job and your saving rate will have to be entered into the picture as well.
And pray. God answers in very odd ways at times.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 11-17-2009, 04:41 PM

Can you split it? I would lean more towards pulling money form each paycheck to pay down the mortgage but using the lump sum to adopt another child if that is where your heart is leading. In my mind, kids are worth more than a paid for house.