Some people never do.

And buying a home before having kids goes against the millions and millions of parents who rented when they were young, saved for a house, and had kids while doing that. Well, that was before banks threw mortgages at anyone who breathed, but the whole idea that you need a mortgage to have kids is...well, it's dumb.

Have a job. Pay your bills. Don't buy a bunch of shit on credit.

Easy. You can afford a kid just fine. But if you're in your early twenties and insist on having a half- million dollar house, two new cars, 60" TVs and $250 a month cable bills, $1100 smart phones, and all of the expensive food and clothing and toys, well...you're doing it wrong.