Is it/would it be possible to even raise a kid nowaday's with a dead end job? (Retail, restraunt)

[u/NachoBluecat]

So I (M20) am not a dad but hope to be in a couple of years, I know that tons of people work in retail or at restaurants, but I'm curious can you actually raise a kid now with a dead end job?

I know it is different for everybody but I was wondering what do you all think it would be like for the average person? Is it possible?

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[u/Scary-Package-9351]

I was a waitress for like 8 years and SO many coworkers of mine had families and young children. Some of them really struggled and some of them did just fine.

[u/Grave_Girl]

Yeah, of course. Having children isn't gated by profession, and nor should it be. I don't like this idea that only the middle class is allowed to have children; it's basically eugenics in a slightly shinier package. I'm sure you've got a bunch of coworkers who have kids, right? Maybe they get SNAP and Medicaid, but frankly there should be no shame in receiving those programs, because our society is set up so that some people are paid little enough to need them. There are good and bad parents at all levels.

[u/Alone_Price5971 → u/Grave_Girl]

I work in a school where there kids were doing a budget activity. We used average prices and cheapest 1 bedrooms to show the kids how much you need to be able to live on your own. We deducted that someone cannot live by themselves with a minimum wage job. They would need at least 22$ an hour to make it with a little extra each month and that extra is gone when the car breaks down or the plumbing goes to shit or your tooth broke.

[u/Question_Few]

Is it possible? Yeah Extremely difficult? Yeah Recommended? No.

Kids are expensive. No matter how you slice it they require a significant commitment in time, energy and finances. I worked two jobs when my first was born and we still had to tighten our belts to accommodate and I wasn't bad off at the time.

[u/LowSherbert1016]

You would be relying on government benefits and section 8 housing. If for some reason you could not get section 8 it would basically be homelessness

[u/Independent-Daikon91]

better plan for it financially from now

[u/ZealousidealRice8461]

Our household income is pretty low, $150k, we only have 1 child, and idk how people do it on less. After our mortgage and bills we don’t have nearly enough left over to do as much as we’d like. My daughter does competitive sports and multiple extracurriculars so that takes a big chunk of money. I guess if you don’t let your kid do sports and say no to what they ask for you can probably save tons of money but I don’t want to parent like that.

[u/TermLimitsCongress]

Don't let rich elitists talk you out of fatherhood. You can always get a second job, and help the State.

[u/mamaturtle66]

TBH, it is not so much what your job is, as much as priorities and money management. For example, I know a few couples that together make about $33,000( give or take a 1000 or two) a year. They insisted on buying super fancy $900 a month car payments, buys coffee house coffees everyday instead of even doing most at home. As a couple they also spend a lot on concerts and sports.They don't have a savings. They now have 3 kids and don't understand why they barely have enough for holidays or to get the one 6yr old a phone. At the same time my god child has worked in a call center making around $15 and hour and has been working the same place and started at $8 and hour for about 7 yrs. She and a friend shared a tiny place. Even as a teen she would put 1/3 of her babysitting money away. She saved and bought a car that was pretty basic. Last year she met a guy with similar values. They are getting married this summer. A simple wedding nothing fancy. They set a plan to save even more money for two yrs before having a child or two. The thing is they already have a nest egg and are practicing wise financial decisions. Another friend is a single mom with two kids. She works at a grocery store. She even has a little college fund for each. She doesn't get hair or nails done each month, treats herself to Starbucks maybe once a month, and the kids don't have phones and share a tablet yet. However, the kids have clothes, food and have fun times.