Why This Question Never Stopped Me — Even With No Bank Balance
“Do I make enough money for a baby?”
Has this question ever crossed your mind?
Or do you know people who are waiting, saving up, ticking boxes — a house, a car, a certain bank balance — before they feel “ready”?
Here’s an urgent truth I’ve learned through lived experience:
You don’t need to own a house, a car, or a full bank account to raise children.
A Sensitive Topic: Please Read First
Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge that fertility and child-bearing are deeply personal and sensitive topics.
I share this knowing what it’s like to walk through:
- Fertility struggles
- Hormonal imbalances (like PCOS)
- Disordered relationships with food
- The long-term effects of unhealthy coping patterns
- Loss, grief, and unanswered prayers
If you are dealing with infertility, miscarriage, or physical challenges around conceiving, please know: I see you, and I understand.
This is not advice. This is my testimony.
How Much Money Should You Save for a Baby?
I’ve read countless articles online that compare children to debt.
Honestly? I find that framing heartbreaking.
The way my life turned out:
- We have three happy children
- And we started with no bank balance
Money was never the deciding factor.
You Want a Baby… But You Have No Savings?
Here’s something we rarely talk about:
Beyond money, raising children requires things you can’t buy:
- Patience
- Perseverance
- Emotional strength
- Instinct
- Health
- A willing heart
- Self-control
Money pays bills — and bills exist whether you have children or not.
But the qualities that raise secure, loved children? Those are formed in us, not purchased.
Did I Make Enough Money for a Baby? (Some Background)
My husband and I both began our careers in Human Resources.
In India, HR is a field where:
- You often start with unpaid internships or very low pay
- Growth comes slowly, with time and experience
- Yet you’re expected to look polished and put together
We relied heavily on credit cards just to keep up appearances. To make sure we had the best clothes and shoes on.
After rent, most of our income went toward paying off debt — leaving little for essentials like groceries or utilities.
So we swiped the cards again. And again.
Until we were stuck in a cycle that felt impossible to break.
The Desire Came Before the Plan
After nearly seven years of not conceiving, I assumed I was infertile.
And yet — despite debt, despite uncertainty — the question “Do I make enough money for a baby?” never once stopped us.
Why? Because the desire to have a child was stronger than fear.
We didn’t plan it nor scheduled it. There was never a sit down conversation, nor analyzing spreadsheets.
Only after that positive pregnancy test did we realize: We both carried the same desire for children.
I believe that desire was placed there by God. Here’s my testimony of how Jesus saved my life.
Anyway – Do You Have the Desire to Have a Baby?
This is the question I gently ask you to reflect on.
Is the thought of having a child always in the back of your mind?
Do you notice babies everywhere?
Does the desire feel persistent — even inconvenient?
For me, that desire changed everything.
God worked deeply in my life during this season — reshaping me, renewing me, and forming a new version of who I was becoming.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
— Joshua 24:15
What Life Actually Looked Like
We paid for what we needed — sometimes barely.
We made sacrifices:
- We never went on a honeymoon or travelled abroad the first 6 years
- No fine dining, or late parties
- Anxiety-filled grocery trips
But somehow, we always had enough.
We joined a church, went to bible study meetings. The church helped us cope with this new life adjustment, at least just for me at the time. My only request for baby showers were diapers. We repurosed most of the toys and clothes for all our children. Saving up for high quality items really helps! You see? The wisdom comes when you ask for it. We prayed over everything and God gave us wisdom
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. -James 1:5 (NLT)
Having a Baby on One Income
Soon after, I stepped away from my 8-year corporate HR career. I didn’t contribute financially for a season, and it was hard, living one one income like that.
When I prayed for direction, I felt a single word placed on my heart:
“Write.”
Within months, I began working from home as a freelance content writer. What started small grew steadily. By the time we welcomed Baby #2, I was able to:
- Pay bills
- Support our household
- Begin clearing long-standing debt
I discovered not just a job, but a calling.
What I Believe Now
I’ve learned that money is secondary when it comes to having children. The desire in your heart matters more.
“What is impossible for man is possible for God.”
— Luke 18:27
When God blesses you with children, He does so knowing your capacity to raise them. Provision often comes after the child — not before.
How God Helps (In Practical Ways)
This is not a prosperity gospel. God doesn’t magically drop money into your lap.
Instead, He:
- Opens doors
- Creates opportunities
- Gives wisdom to recognize them
- Changes hearts (including your spouse’s, if needed)
- Gives hope when logic runs out
God’s timing has been precise in my life — often clearer in hindsight. Somehow, exactly with every baby, my husband got better opportunites. I got more clarity on how to use my talents- blogging, educating, sharing curly haircare online. This eventually became more than just an online blog. We moved outside to Doha Qatar. I;ve worked from home since 2014 and each year the trials and blessings come hand in hand . I thank YHWH God for what He has done with us.
I share all this not to say we are perfect parents? OH man! That is a story is for another time…
Meanwhile, if You’re Unsure About Timing
Ask God.
Pray honestly.
Bring your fears.
Bring your desire.
If you feel ready but your spouse isn’t — tell God.
You can’t change hearts on your own, but He can.
Why I’m Sharing This Now
God’s plan all along wasn’t just about my family — it was about sharing this story so it could encourage someone else today.
If this resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need hope or a new perspective about saving for a baby…
Thank You for Reading
If you made it this far — thank you for holding space for my story.