What would you do?

[Precious26]

Hi Frugal Village,

I have a dilemma, we just bought a brand new house last week our possession date is on Halloween, and then I just received an a acceptance letter to University for the Legal Assistant Diploma program(Full-time for 2years) for the fall of 2010, therefore I wouldn't be able to work anymore if I chose this route. We also would like to start a family in a year and a half. I was thinking I could go to school part-time, while I work full-time? Then have a family while I still take evening classes one day per week. My husband makes enough to cover our bills and have some for savings. However we wouldn't be able to live our lives as we are now, with being able to travel and so forth. I guess what I am saying is I don't want to be house poor for a decision that I need to make. Any advice would be helpful to me. My husband has left this up to me either way he told me he would support me with whatever decision I chose to make.

Cheers,

Jeanette

[Debbie-cat]

Wow! What alot of exciting things happening for you! I guess the answer comes down to how much you wish to give up. I went to school part-time, worked full- time, was a single parent and owned my own home with all the troubles that came with it. I sacrificed alot but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. It wasn't easy and don't think it will be but if you have a goal and a dream, sacrifices have to be made.

Good luck!

[savininfl]

You seem young enough where waiting to have kids won't make that much of a difference age wise however everyones different and some want there kids young and some older for different reasons. Write a list out and put all the pros and cons in black and white and see for yourself, you may just have the answer in front of you! Either way, good luck in your decision.

[frugalwarrior2]

Well that does seem like too much at once to me.
You said you can cover the bills w/ DH's salary so you wouldn't have to work if you didn't want to right. Then you could concentrate on school. Finish faster so you can start a family.

It's not really practical to have a new house to be fixing,working a job and going to school while pregnant. Also it seems you don't really understand how much each thing can take out of you.
Not to offend you but are you really ready to do this. Lamenting about the travel and giving up things makes me wonder.

[beks37]

Here's what I would do...focus on saving money now until you start school, go to school full time, work part-time but only if you want to. Sounds like if you don't work, your hubby could earn enough for bills and living expenses. As for the starting a family thing...it may be hard to go to school and have a baby at the same time. Is waiting 2 years out of the question or do you think you could handle it now? That's up to you!

Congrats on the house and the school...both very exciting adventures!

[Precious26]

I know how much working full-time and going to school Part-time can take out on oneself considering I have done it for years now. In regards to the traveling there are a few more places that we want to go to before having children. I know having children we will have to make sacrifices that becomes evident. I have been living on my own for ten years now I know how to keep up with a house as well. My DH helps out around the house as well it's great. I know when we have children I will be a stay at home mom. I won't take offence on anything because I am the one whom is try to seek answers.

Believe me when I received the news on the May long weekend. I was jumping for joy, but at the same time reality hit me hard not knowing what to do. My DH thinks I should get into Real Estate instead because I have the personality for it(so many things to look at such little time).

[Precious26]

I guess I should also mention that I was diagnosed with a mild Depression in September of 2010 and I am now on a mild Anti-deppressant(Part of it is genetic and a chemical inbalance). I often wonder if going to school Full-time would be too much for me. I know I need to worry about my health as well.

[frugalfoster]

I wouldn't go into real estate...the market is still not stable enough...Congrats on the acceptance to college.....I'd go with that one...education is one thing that can't be taken away from you. Go to school...work part time...and wait a couple more years to have kids...once you have them..you have them for a long time....invest in yourself right now!

[mauimagic]

So much exciting news at once!! Congrats on all the blessings in your life. What wonderful advice you've already received - makes sense to me to pencil all the pros and cons. In listing them, please note that all of the energies that are needed for schooling, new home, etc - nothing compared to the energies of raising a family. Personally I'd vote for education and home settling first - then start a family.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but since your medication seems to be handling it, you should be fine in school.

Please let us know what you decide - would love to follow you on your journey!!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I'd get settled in the house first and do school. Finish school before you have kids. You may not be able to once the child comes, so it's better to finish school first.

Kids need a lot of attention. School needs a lot of attention. A new house needs lots of attention. Stretching yourself thinner than that is breeding discontent in the future.

If I had the choice, I'd have finished school first and got a house and then had kids. You never know what life may throw your way and putting too much on your plate will stress you out more than is necessary.

[Lady_V]

I'd get settled in the house first and do school. Finish school before you have kids.

I agree with MTTB. Finish school first.

I left school to become a SAHM (my choice to do that, no baby surprises, we adopted). Now that Diva is 10, I sometimes wish I had finished. Do I need a law degree being a SAHM... no, but it's a feeling of completion I don't have.

If you finish school, even if you never work a day in the field, you have a back-up plan in the event that life happens (as it sometimes does) and you have to return to the workforce.

Getting pregnant isn't always as easy as people think it will be. "Starting a family in a year and a half" is your plan...

Once again life happens, and if you need medical intervention for conception, you don't want the stress of mid-terms. I went through IF treatments, I had ICSI done twice... I had to take time off from work for all that, would you take time off from school?

As far as the house goes... is it ever done? I've been here 12 years this Sept and I'm still finding things to be done.

Best of luck with your decision.