Adoption is TOO expensive!!

It's already day 5 in our "8 Days of Adoption!"

I've heard a lot of people mention they would love to adopt, if only it wasn't so outrageously expensive.  I don't have a Top 10 list like I did with my Ways to Make Your Child's Teacher Love You or my Must Have Baby Items, but here are some that could help!!

7.  Check with your employer.  Some offer cash for adoption as part of your benefits package!

6.  Do your own fundraiser.  If your neighbors are willing to buy wrapping paper and cheese logs from the local elementary school, there's a good chance they will support you too!


5.  Run in this New Braunfels Adoption Marathon!  You can form a team and make some cash!

4.  There are adoption grants available.  Show Hope was started by Steven Curtis Chapman (an adoptive dad!) and offers grants.  They also have a listing of other places to apply.

3.  Go crazy with your budget.  If you have another child your expenses will go up anyways, so start living on less now and soon you'll have enough!   

2.  There are adoption loans.  Yup, you can finance your minivan and your next child!  This could be your answer if you only had part and could pay it back when you get the tax credit (see #1 below!)  This place offers interest free loans to Christian families!

1. This one is BY FAR the best.  Due to the recent new health care bill, the Adoption Tax Credit has changed!  Yes, the government loves adoption too!  The tax credit was increased $13,170 and it's REFUNDABLE!  The good news is that even if you owe less than $13,170 in taxes, you will get it back as a refund.  It used to be that if you owed less than the credit, you had to space it out over several years, so the people who made less could have to wait 5 years to get the full credit.  The hard thing about this is that you can only take the credit for the year when your adoption is finalized, not when your baby is born.  So, Landrie will be about 18 months old when we finally get it.  Just in time for baby #2!  Check out all the details here.

There are a ton of other ways to make adoption a reality for your family.  I know it may seem out of reach, but what better thing to spend your money on?  This "purchase" will never collect dust, need to be upgraded or end up in your Goodwill pile. If you feel God leading you to adopt, go for it!  It will have an amazing impact on your life!  We have been amazed over and OVER at how God has been so faithful to provide for our family!

If you want to see the rest of the "8 Days of Adoption" posts, just click here!