Money Matters
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Spinoff: Car Talk
All the talk about cars the past few days has gotten me pondering something. For many of us, our plans for future LOs are having a big impact on our car choices (with good reason!) I currently drive a Honda Fit, and I love it to death. H has a 2004 Subaru Forester, which is a much smaller model than the late-model Foresters. We are going to start TTC in about two years, and if all goes well would like 1 or 2 children (I try not to get my heart too set on any particular plan, however, when it comes to kids). 3 is not in the conversation, although of course surprises happen. My car is a total workhorse. It probably has at least 7-8 more years in it, and when I imagine what kind of car I'd want in the future I can't imagine anything but another Fit. H will have to replace his car sooner, but likewise just wants another Forester. I like having a Subaru in the family in case one of us needs to drive in snowy weather.
My question for the moms on the board is whether getting SUVs and Crossovers once you had kids was a matter of preference because you prefer extra space, or are there some cars that literally cannot fit two car seats? I've had two kids in boosters in my car while babysitting, but I know five-point car seats and those little backwards ones for infants take up more space. The Fit was rated the #1 subcompact for families, has great safety ratings, and has so much more room inside than anything else in its class, but am I going to need to start mentally preparing myself for getting rid of it early? I prefer small cars-I'm not sure why-and just can't see myself in an SUV.
Feel free to laugh if this is a very silly question:-P
Re: Spinoff: Car Talk
One thing though, I bought my car seat without doing much research- it was actually pretty much of an impulse buy because I found it clearance at target for 50% off, not thinking about size/space issues because my kia always seemed so big. So had I done some research, maybe I could have found a smaller one that worked better- but honestly it doesn't seem like that big of a car seat. It's an Eddie bauer one that came with the travel set (stroller). If you are thinking about a smaller vehicle, I would just do some measuring about how a car seat will fit and whether or not you will still be comfortable in the car with that.
H has a 2 door Altima coupe, and we can't fit a rear facing carseat behind either seat unfortunately. However we can fit a front facing seat behind the passenger side.
We will likely trade his car in for a 4 door by the time we have kids, but ONLY if we're paying cash for it. No more car payments! If we get pregnant before we can pay cash, then we will make it work. Even if it means using my car all the time and his solely being one he drives too and from work.
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Not all car seats are the same dimensions, so it is important to make sure you get one that can fit in your car. There used to be a website that helped you determine whether the car seat you were interested in would fit in your car, but it is no longer up and running (because it got too outdated?). I did find this guide from Britax, though. http://fitfinder.britax.co.uk/ Britax car seats are usually some of the largest ones, so if you can fit one of these in your car you are probably okay. I wasn't able to select the Honda Fit from their list, and I'm not sure what to make of that.
DH came up with the prime example. We travel once a year to his hometown for a hockey tournament in memory of his grand father. If we have two kids in the back seat and a hockey bag that takes up the WHOLE trunk where is a pack n' play going to fit? Not to mention diaper bags and anything else we might need. We don't drive much but when we do we take trips to visit family for a few days at a time.
We are hoping to be pregnant before we buy from my mother if we aren't we wouldn't buy. That would mean a year of trying and I would be sad if we got a bigger vehicle for nothing.
Love: March 2010 Marriage: July 2013 Debt Free: October 2014 TTC: May 2015
Love: March 2010 Marriage: July 2013 Debt Free: October 2014 TTC: May 2015
FYI- All car seats should be fine for the Honda Fit. The first 9 months or so, chances are you're going to use an infant carrier, which has the bases and detachable carrier. When I just had DD#1, I was able to put it in the middle of my civic (check your car manual of course), but for DD#2, I had it behind the passenger seat. DH wasn't terribly comfortable in the passenger seat (he's 5'11") when we were all in the civic, but it's only for 9 months and we usually take the outback when all four of us are in the car anyway. She's now rear-facing behind the passenger seat (new guidelines say to keep them rear facing until 2 years) in a Britax Boulevard and we have a little extra space in the front passenger seat of both cars.
As long as you have 4 doors, it really should be fine. Car seats expire/change so even if you test one out from a friend or something, it may not be the same when you're ready. Don't overthink it.. it's amazing how flexible you and your kids become if getting a new or bigger car isn't an option.
Car payments, increased cost of insurance, increased cost of registration/license plates and in some states personal property taxes. Now - how about gas mileage.
What does it do to your budget?
For overall financial advice I recommend buying a slightly used vehicle that meets your needs at the best price possible - paying cash or financing no longer thana3 years. (ex: If your needs can be met by a Toyota Corolla, don't buy anything larger. If you need more space only a few times a year - then rent a vehicle for those few times. Much cheaper overall. Stick with reliable brands with proven records.
@Sisugal no worries, I plan to keep this car as long as it goes. Less space doesn't bother me; we're not planning a big family and I really love my Fit. Gas mileage is a huge factor for me-I loathe paying for gas. I was just curious if most new moms get a bigger car out of desire or necessity.
It sounds like lots of PPs do upgrade out of necessity, but I don't think it will be necessary for us. We'll usually take H's car for trips so I'm not too worried about the passenger seat/leg room situation.