Current Events > How old are you, and do you have any children? Do you feel behind the curve?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I would say one of the reasons I'm somewhat wistful about not having children is that I feel like the life I lead lacks any sense of priority or forward thinking, particularly when it comes to my finances. I've very nonchalant about spending money and, while I do think I have good values when it comes to saving money, I feel troubled by how unburdened I am by not having something that relies on me to be thoughtful. Like I can risk a LOT because I'm not connected to a family that needs my support but deep down I feel like that's a BAD thing. Nothing's stopping me and forcing me to reconsider what I do next because if I spend money on something big then who does that harm? I kind of want that "anchor" that makes me stop, pause, and consider consequences to the lifestyle I invest in.

For me being more successful simply means increasing the amount of recklessness my life can tolerate, which really pains me when I sit back and reflect on it.

I guess what I'm saying is I want the financial discipline of a family man, even if I don't have one to think about. Having that growth I think will change me in other ways too that would probably make me more comfortable with who I am as a whole.

33, no kids. Sometimes I do kinda feel behind honestly. I have the slight desire to have them sometimes but I realize its either within the next 10ish years or never. Maybe a little less than that.

in other aspects of life I feel like Im a little ahead (own my own house, decent job, etc) so I guess it balances out slightly.

Solid_Sonic posted...

I would say one of the reasons I'm somewhat wistful about not having children is that I feel like the life I lead lacks any sense of priority or forward thinking, particularly when it comes to my finances. I've very nonchalant about spending money and, while I do think I have good values when it comes to saving money, I feel troubled by how unburdened I am by not having something that relies on me to be thoughtful. Like I can risk a LOT because I'm not connected to a family that needs my support but deep down I feel like that's a BAD thing. Nothing's stopping me and forcing me to reconsider what I do next because if I spend money on something big then who does that harm? I kind of want that "anchor" that makes me stop, pause, and consider consequences to the lifestyle I invest in.

I can relate to this. I very much live in the moment.

Reading through this thread makes me remember why there's A LOT of people on this board that don't think the same way I do about many of the financial discussions that happen on the board.

I'm 45, 2 kids (17 and 15), wife, house, 7 years left on my mortgage, fairly decent savings/retirement funds.

Sometimes I just don't "get" when people with no kids and no housing responsibilities (bc they live with parents/relatives) still can't get their finances in order. Granted, I've worked in accounting pretty much my whole life, so by force of habit I tend to keep track or every dollar that comes into and out of my household.

The weird thing is I think people on the outside looking in do envy someone whose spending isn't beholden to the needs of others before themselves. Like I'm sure they want to spend money on whatever project or business idea enters their head but have to pump the brakes because aimless spending and risk-taking means the people who rely on their income are going to take that journey with them, good or bad.

50. Two children, 19 & 15. And no. But I dont think I was the target demographic of this thread.

36. No kids. Had a miscarriage a few years ago and haven't tried again since.

I dont plan on having any kids

34, 4 kids. Nope.

Vegy posted...

When do people stop being attracted to hella hot women?

63 and saying hella.

Geez.

Doesn't Vegy's age change with the tides?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Are you suggesting that a 63 year old man using baby talk to lech over women would be a bit weird and creepy?

48 no children nor wife. Sometimes I feel left behind, but I just remind myself that a family has a whole other set of problems. I'd probably be divorced right now.

46 and 4 daughters, so definitely don't feel behind a curve

31 with two daughters. One was stillborn on my 29th birthday, and one was born two weeks ago.

Dont feel behind although all our friends with kids had them in their early-mid 20s

Some people are just not attracted to having the normal thing. Some people just think the normal thing is the true goal of life.

Don't have kids that I'm aware of, may adopt in the future if I get wealthy enough.

So people just willingly give a known unhinged user all their personal data, huh?

tremain07 posted...

Sometimes I do wonder if I'm doing something wrong living the way I do

A question all of CE should ponder