WWYD? re: $ for adoption

EmmieB

Before we moved, I was an interior designer in Dallas. My dream, however, is to be a published author. I was writing in Dallas, but I've never been paid for it. Since it was for Husband's career that we moved, and since we are in a financial position that I don't have to work, we agreed that now is the best time for me to pursue my dream. Which I recognize as a blessing and am so thankful for. (as trite as that sounds, it's true. There was a happy dance when he agreed to let me do this.)

 To bring in a bit of income while I work on editing and shopping the novel I finished up in Dallas, I'm writing some freelance travel articles and book reviews.

So here's my conundrum: I want to upgrade my camera. Right now I have a phd digital and a 35mm Nikon body (with two lenses.) The upgraded body that I want is close to $1k. Over that when you count in the lenses that I'd like to add to my collection and the external flash. (and the new bag I'd need to store it all)

I will not compromise and buy a less expensive camera. I'd rather shoot film than get an "entry level" body. 

Upgrading my camera will allow me to sell my photographs - which I've done a bit of here and there - without losing the resolution from scanning the film in. It works for some applications but not all. The benefits are there. Definitely.

However...it would take away that much money from our adoption fund. Husband is set AGAINST borrowing for it. He doesn't even like that we have a car payment and the bit of consumer debt we have. (I've been given strict instructions not to use any of our charge cards.)

So: do I save for the camera with the intention of using it to add income, or do I forgo it and keep my eye on the adoption prize? My own opinion on this changes every few minutes.

(also, our families know that we're trying to adopt, so for birthdays and christmas we're going to ask that in leiu of gifts they help prepare us for that. Neither are in a position to help in any larger way than that.)

 

TIA!

farmweddinggirl

My vote is to save the money for your adoption.  This is coming from a girl who is a photographer herself and knows how tempting new camera gear is. : )  

Keep your eye on the prize!  After baby comes, THEN get the camera, so you can take good pictures of the kid AND take some to sell as art.

 

EmmieB

Taken into advisement... :-) Thank you!

(I'm not blowing you off, I'm just trying to get as much feedback as I can.)

Mrs.Johnson

Well, my current opinion about spending money is if it still works I don't need a new one. KWIM?  We just had to "borrow" 3K from our adoption savings account for my dog's back surgery.  I am working a second job as a tutor to help save for adoption.  We were matched and the BM is due in June so we almost paid the adoption off, until it failed.  So the point I'm trying to make is, life might throw you a few curve balls.  Better to be prepared for baby than to regret accepting a match because of lack of funds.  I always plan for worst case scenerio and hope for the best.

silliestbunny

Tough one. 
I am of the opinion that you need to keep a balanced life.  We are saving like crazy but I also booked us for a week in DC over Easter break.  Yes, the trip will be a a couple thousand and we could definitely use the money towards adoption. However, I try and embrace our ability to be spontaneous w/o kids and splurge now and again.  I have struggled with cancer a few times in my life and what it's taught me is to allow myself some fun and pleasure.  I have the tendency to take all of life seriously so lightening up is GOOD! 

 Aside from the above justification, I justified by getting DH to agree to only eat out one time per week between our booking date and our travel date.  Seems fair...and it will recoup some of the money.

Lastly, I do think it's very personal.  Is saving for adoption taking you years?  Will this really set you back?    Only you'll know how quickly you'll be able to make up the difference in amount of money saved. 

BTW-  I think Suze Orman would hate me!

silliestbunny

One more comment- 

How quickly could you make money back by selling your photography?  If you worked at marketing it, could you make at least half of it back in a few months? 

Or does interior design have options for short term consulting so you could earn it ahead of time (or back quickly)?

Just a few thoughts..

crystalpopcorn

That is a tough one. ?Would you be able to sell your current camera and apply that money toward the upgrade? ?If you could get $500 for it, then half of the new camera would be covered. ?Then, if you could sell your photos, you might be able to recoup the cost of the new camera quicker than you think. ?Remember too that the camera could potentially be a tax deduction if you claim it as a business expense (but you would need to have a business). ?

I don't know your personal situation, so it is tough. ?As bunny said, you need to look at where you are in the adoption process. ?Are you planning to adopt this year, or in five years? ?That will factor into your decision as well. Personally, I agree that you can't put your entire life and all of your dreams on hold while waiting to adopt. ?It will make the wait that much harder. ?

I think I have just rambled, and not really answered you. ?Hopefully it at least gave you something to think about ?

EmmieB

All good points. We're still very early in the process so I'm not really sure how long the adoption will take. 2 years feels like it might be reasonable.

I do have a business, but it's registered in Texas and I'm still figuring out what I need to do to register it in California. So the camera would be a write-off.

I have no idea how quickly I'd make back the money. I'm going to set up a smugmug account so people can buy prints and go from there. I've got a nice backlog of photos that I'll float out.

I think what's going to happen is that any money made on my photos will go into buying myself a new camera and anything made on my writing will go towards adoption.

 In a perfect world I'd get a book deal and the advance would cover both ;-)

 

Thanks you guys!

Jas*sGirl

I agree that you have to keep living life even when going through adoption, or shoot even when you are a parent for that sake.  If you have a 2 year "plan/timeline for adoption then you have plenty of time to save.  My vote is buy the camera and then get to shooting like a crazy woman to sell your shots.  Maybe use that new camera to set up some family photos in a park with anything you make from those shoots going toward your adoption funds....turn your hobby/passion into a fundraiser!!!  Plus you will want that camera when the little one comes home to you.

EmmieB

I like that idea of setting up in the park and broadcasting it as a fundraiser. :-D