Hi,

Clearly, this is a highly variable question depending upon lifestyle, but I wonder how much money would be a good goal to have saved before having a baby here in Zurich? Especially if one spouse would probably take at least two years off with the baby eliminating one income.

Some people have told me that you will never "have enough" money to have a baby you just have to do it, and then make your finances adjust around having a baby. Does that ring true?

Does anyone have any advice about what might be a reasonable financial goal(s) here in Switzerland to reach before having a baby. I realize this is a very broad question, just wondering about your experiences or advice.

Thanks!

Well, although I'm sure I'll draw the wrath of some and the derision of others; if you seriously think you need x or y amount of money before having children you risk never daring to have them.

When mine were conceived we had zilch in the bank, and although there are times over the past thirty+ years it's been a real struggle, I simply wouldn't be without them.

0.

Tom

I agree with the others - it's not a one-off payment but a 20 year commitment, you just need to be financially sound to begin with and then adjust.

Depends also on your lifestyle now - if you go out a lot in Zurich, chances are you won't so much with a baby! That will save you a fortune, at least until they get to 5 or 6 and you start paying for park entrance, hotel rooms etc.

If you decide to buy designer buggy, nursery furniture, etc etc then it could be different, but personally I'd go for Ricardo - new baby seems to be a time people go crazy on this stuff, but the real truth is found by looking at second kids - experienced parents don't bother, they know a buggy with sick stains and crumbs on it looks no different if you paid 500 or 2000 francs.

Yes.

You'll be amazed at the way your lives adjust themselves to fit around one tiny sub-human's requirements.

As we all know 120k is the bare miniumum for one to be able to scape by in Zürich. One parent wishes to have 2 years off so that's 240k right there. You'll also need a little extra for additional costs such as Hippotherapy and the live in nanny, so let's round it up to an even 300k. I wouldn't even have sex with your partner until you have this amount.

Don't make the mistake of many couples and think that you can have a baby whenever you want. Most can but there are lots of exceptions.

So many say they're going to have one in five years, or two years or when they've got this amount in the bank etc etc and then discover that it takes five years to conceive or they need IVF.

There's never a good time to have a baby both time wise and financially or to be more correct, there's probably always a better time!

Our 2nd was due shortly after I started my PhD, so not only did we have another mouth to feed, but my salary had more than halved and was to remain so for the following 4 years. We survived. I don't think the location has much bearing on it; you learn to budget and cope.

Its even harder in London, you should see the budgeting that the Windsors are having to make at the moment!

Thanks for you responses. It seems like the theme in the responses was a long-term commitment related to baby-friendly finances rather than waiting for a baby pending on saving up.

Hehe - the comment that a "scraping by" income is 120K per spouse in Zurich made me laugh - 240 jointly for a couple is "scraping by?" :-) Reckon this was a bit tongue in cheek.

Also, does anyone have any information about the earnings of a "tagesmutter"? This might be a nice supplemental income. I found all the requirements online for a tagesmutter, but I did not see the earnings range other than a mentioning that it was not much. Thanks!

Tagesmutter: it's somewhere around 8-9 CHF per hour. Add to that the costs for meals.
Don't forget that kids do have also tax implications (deductions etc...).
Frankly there is no rational reason to have kids and even less financial criteria....it's something more emotional than rational. I would't be able to imagine my life without the kids.

You've got a life... and kids?

The financially sensible thing to do is to acquire second hand. A large chunk of the financial investment is done by 16. Not to mention the crying and nappy changing phase.

Since they can be acquired for almost free through official adoption procedures, it is a wonder that people do this the hard way!

Ditto. Plus you* avoid carrying around the weight for 9 months, and the painful popping them out!

*Generic "you", obviously not you specifically Phil!

Yes. If you sit down and figure out if you can afford to have children, the answer is no.

Babies are quite cheap. Teenagers are expensive. According to my parents, when the kids are finally financially independent, you'll have more money than you'll know what to do with. My eldest will probably reach that stage by July next year.

Careful, sometimes even for adoption is too late if one is waiting to be financially "stable" first !

In my circle of friends is quite the opposite : most had/have some problems. (it definitely wasn't that easy as expected) And they're all (almost) in their (early) thirties!
That makes one think...

It`s very hard to answer your question !

I would look at your current liabilities and compare how much of that can be covered with one income.

Also, do you already have the extra space in your flat-house! or would you have to move?

We have friends with children that the child changed not much of their expenses since mom was always home, apartment was big enough, they used mainly public transportation, and had basic insurance only..

We on the other hand: had to move houses for a bigger place, change car from sport to a family car, and my wife insurance and the cild health insurance were high as we did private options, my wife wanted to do Swim classes with our child, musics classes and went out with many other moms for play dates which also was a cost! We travel a lot, so we had to book bigger rooms, and now that our child is over 2 we pay full flight tickets !

So really it depends on what your life style is like !

Whereas I just bought a second motorcycle!

(and put a sidecar on it)

Tom