Here's another view from a non-mother perspective... I am a 22 year old female and right now would never dream of having a child. I also never get the urge to have one. I don't make a whole lot of money, like you I make enough to pay the bills and have a little for savings and hobbies. If I had a child not only would I have to sell off most of my snakes, but my child would turn into my hobby and I'm pretty sure that would be all I could afford. Your child will be your life and you should be very sure you are ready for that sacrifice. A child is like anything else... the more you put in, the more you get out in the end, and those early years are very important to your child's development and the relationship you build with him/her. One other thing I am curious about, and I hope I am not crossing the line by asking this, but if you are in a same sex relationship, how are you going to go about having a baby? Adoption, a clinic, a friend?