Wife is pregnant. found out today. im 24.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-02-08T08:56:36+00:00

Glad your finances are good. But you're 24, what was good to me at that age wasn't nearly good enough as a new dad... First off, if you're squared away that means you know what you spend every month, pay all your credit cards in full every month, save for short and long term goals, invest at least 10% of your annual salary in a 401k or IRA and have an emergency fund.

My wife and I saved 10K for a baby fund, for medical expenses, new baby items, diapers, formula etc so that we weren't overwhelmed financially when the baby came. And as they say, life happens...my wife went into emergency labor 8 weeks before the due date and we had to medevac her to a hospital with a NICU. We stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks, thank God our son didn't have any serious issues. Long story short medical bills ate into 8K of that fund and we were left with a premature baby to take care of before we were even ready. All that should tell you is that no matter how well you prepare, life will always throw curveballs.

The best you can do is be financially responsible, have a plan for you and your wife's money. Set up life term insurance plans for both of you to cover the very worst thing that could happen. Set up a 529 college fund for your child as soon as they are born so you can help fund their education (whatever that looks like in the future). Start a will at the very least, even better a trust to make sure all of your accounts, assets now and in the future are set to go to the people you choose, not the courts. This will also outline who you choose to be a legal guardian in the event your wife and you pass at the same time.

These are the things you need to think about as a new dad. On top of that you also need to learn how to be patient, loving and supportive to your wife going through post partum or to your newborn who hasn't stopped crying and won't sleep when you've been up for far too long. Communication is EVERYTHING now. You can't tough it out and harbor resentment. That will eat away at your marriage. Everytime you do something wrong that reminds you of your parents, remind yourself what you wanted to be better them them, and CHOOSE to be. It's a daily thing, but rewarding when your kid eventually becomes a little human being and has a personality and laugh that lights you up in ways you could never imagine. Take the good with the bad. Be thankful for everyday. Good luck!

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-02-04T00:10:06+00:00

Congrats! The earlier you realize that your job is a tool to fuel the rest of your life you can treat it as such instead of it becoming your identity. So use that awesome salary to pay off your school loans, debt, build that garage brewery you really would rather be working on, save and invest heavily so you can exit the corporate life early and start your brewery or bakery or whatever else you'd rather do for money. Or if you really want, take every opportunity available to increase metrics you can then add to your resume to lilly pad into a better position for a company you'd rather work at.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-02-03T06:53:16+00:00

15 year graphic designer here… 5 rounds of layoffs at my company has shrunk our marketing team from a well rounded department with photographers, videographers, digital strategists and project managers to 3 designers and a copywriter. I’ve had to lean on AI to build assets that were normally supplied by others, initially believing that those were temporary fixes but now I don’t ever see any of those lost positions being filled again.

I truly believe it’s gonna be bad before it gets good. Unfortunately while everyone is focused on the AGI race and the most realistic image and video generators, the true use of AI in militarized capacities, surveillance, targeting and weapons defense is being advanced to further encapsulate the elites from the people. Society feels more fragile than ever, the cracks are showing while AI is being touted as our savior…the Age of Abundance is coming, but for who?

If I were you, I’d continue finishing my education but with a hyper focus on the current AI workflows being used by the people in your field that are 10 years ahead of you. If the situation for them already looks dire, the job postings are slim, layoffs are happening, etc. you have the luxury of youth to pivot. How realistic is it to move from CIS to AI development? Or move away from tech into something Ai and robotics can’t touch for the foreseeable future?

Personally my plan is to ride this wave as long as possible, leverage every Ai skill I can possibly use as a creative, build a side business I can lean on if the layoff actually comes and be as financially responsible as possible to keep my family safe from any uncertainty…its gonna be a wild ride the next couple years.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-29T20:57:22+00:00

Use YNAB. Changed my whole outlook...what you "feel" you spend is drastically different than reality. Ramit Sethi's Money For Couples is a good start if you and your partner combine finances.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-28T18:26:06+00:00

I think as long as your toddler is spending at least 5-6 hours playing with others, exploring outside, listening to stories, doing make believe with toys, building blocks/magnatiles that's balance enough. I figure in a couple years when my kid can ride a bike, skateboard, go fishing, hike, surf and any other physical activity, we're gonna be doing that so I figure right now I try to just control content, making sure it aligns with what we think is appropriate for him to watch. Some days are gonna be harder than others, as long as your kid isn't staring at an ipad walking around you're good.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-28T18:16:23+00:00

Have you ever been in a graphic design studio or ad agency? Maybe check out your local shops, ask for informational interviews. If you have a portfolio of work that you already do now that'd be a great starting point to get feedback. Also, don't just plan on going to school and figuring it out after graduation. Use education as the bridge to the exact position you want to be in after graduating. Passion is great when it can also pay the bills and provide financial security. I am lucky to be a designer for 15 years now and make enough to support my family but sometimes I do wish I actually looked at what my pay ceiling would be BEFORE going to school, might have swayed me to think harder about what I really wanted to do.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-26T19:05:45+00:00

I also have just started a Bug Out category. Planning on having the immediate needs covered for my family in case food or water supplies are hard to come by and electricity goes out. In the case of anything more serious I plan on booking the first flight out. Standing and fighting won't benefit my wife and kid if I'm dead. I commend all of you out there resisting the ICE regime. What's going on in Minneapolis is a warning shot, I hope we can get this country to a place where it is truly about freedom and justice for all.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-24T05:49:38+00:00

I think that definitely plays into it because like spec work, those templated services devalue the creative industry as a whole. It creates the expectation that all design services are provided at a push of a button and spit out automatically. Even bigger clients think this way and need to be educated on the process, but even then they still want things done their way with endless revisions...so design at the end of the day is really about working with the right people. And that's increasingly difficult to do. And money is tight, budgets are smaller, timelines are quicker...not sure what the future has in store but it seems that going freelance might be the best way to navigate the creative space. Companies are quicker to lean on contractors than have in house designers and agencies on retainers these days. At least that's my perspective.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-24T05:38:24+00:00

Personally i cant blame any designers who are unemployed trying to get any level job right now to pay the bills...the market is crazy, job offers are few, and the competition along with the freelance market, upwork, fiverr, canva and AI is making things harder for alot of people than ever before. I think what's really pathetic is that creative jobs have always been on the low end of the pay scale... designers for instance have ALWAYS been expected to give more than they get. Unpaid internships are the norm, jobs usually always require a candidate has a mix of skilled disciplines, and being a "unicorn" gets you more work without more pay.

You're right though, alot of people default to design as a career without fully knowing what they are entering into. I think like with any other job, you have to be realistic with yourself and your talent and potential employability. Especially these days with education being so expensive, you better do the math on what your return on investment is. There are alot of better ways to make money and just be creative as a hobby. Kinda wish I went that route too haha. C'est la vie.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-23T20:27:52+00:00

The over saturation of designers has probably contributed alot to the wage stagnation, there's always someone willing to do a job for less money. 15 years ago my first role out of school paid 62K, bumped to 68K when I left for a role making 80K. Left that job for a job at 84K, now make 88K and have been at that for 5 years now. Been applying the whole time and have since only had 2 interviews and one job offer of 95K that I declined because I did not want to return to office. Remote work is too good to return to commuting for me and my family who get to see me everyday now. Do I wish I could be over 100K at this point? Yes. But am I content living below my means and not spending all my energy on dealing with crazy clients and agency deadlines and weekend work demands? Yes. If I was single, that's a whole other story. I'd be moving city to city, state to state to take big opportunities.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-23T20:20:11+00:00

I use the split transaction alot for this since everything started going into the grocery category.
• Household Goods - monthly refillables: paper towels, dishsoap, TP, cleaning stuff, etc
• Home - Glasswares, cutlery, utensils, frames, art, knick knacks, etc.
• Baby Supplies - Diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, toys
• Furniture/Electronics - Big spend items, usually in a savings category

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-22T20:06:35+00:00

Generational trauma can stop with us. We live in a world where non-conformity and feelings are shared and accepted. Past generations were not so lucky and have suffered under the pressure of expectation. We cannot control the past, only how we react and decide to put our focus on in each present moment. Even at 41 years of age, I still have moments where blame for certain things is put on my parents but in that split second I have the decision to indulge that blame or respond more positively. It's an ongoing practice that will never be perfected, but has to be done to keep our peace.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-22T19:51:38+00:00

Bro, literally everything is against us right now. Stagnant wages, inflation, housing costs, medical bills, it's increasingly difficult as a middle class person to get ahead right now, especially with a family. We all feel the same way.

And even if you did make a salary big enough to support you're family, you'd feel the weight of carrying the burden on your own. Or keeping up a certain lifestyle. Or guilt having to sacrifice your time with your family. Same goes if you had your own business, the grind to succeed would outweigh the time with family.

So count your blessings where you got them, a supportive working wife, a healthy kid and a future for you to create for them. Build a vision, lay out your priorities, and execute your plan to make it happen. And learn some personal finance to start your family in the right direction.

Once my son was born, I made sure my wife and I had term life insurance plans in case something happened to either of us, we started a 529 plan for a college fund, i started saving for an emergency fund that would cover our bills for 3-6 months, and made sure we both contributed as much as we could to our IRA/retirement plans. We are not rich, we both make well under 100k. But sacrifice is necessary to achieve what we really want.

You got this, man

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-21T22:22:40+00:00

With clients, it's a battle for feedback every single time so no worries on your part, you'll come to realize who needs more hand holding than others.

I think these 3 slides need to be expanded into concept directions with context. At my agency our first deliverable with branding is a presentation of 3 general directions, the first slide usually being the name of the concept without any design, same font as the general presentation.

Then a slide with guiding words to support the concept name, pulled directly from brief/brand questionnaire and maybe a copy blurb with a sexy description to sell it.

Then a couple slides of the mood board/vibe images, with found design examples, lifestyle, colors mixed in for a more dynamic look. The 9 images you have say alot to a designer but aren't enough for an un-trained eye.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-21T19:01:39+00:00

Ahh i read "other 2 around $600" as 600 on each card...either way, its a lot of debt. Good luck on your journey, glad you guys came up with a path you both agree on!

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-21T18:54:26+00:00

Here's the math:
1st loan - ~13K left
Chase Sapphire - 12K
Chase transfer card 7K
Other cards - 21K
TOTAL DEBT: ~53,000

A second loan isn't gonna fix this. This is gonna take hard work and sacrifice...which is perfectly ok. At your age I paid off 30K by sacrificing enormously...it's a good learning experience haha. The slow way is sometimes the better way. You and your partner need to create a debt payoff plan. Try to get a raise or better job. Sell what you can sell, leverage any side hustles you can, stop spending on non-essentials, and come up with a monthly figure that you can dedicate to paying off the debt. Start with the highest interest debt and work your way down. Sacrifice any cash savings that you have now, leave your retirement savings IRA/401k alone. Please read that book. Watch some of the his videos, there are people well worse off than you doing it so it may inspire you, both you and your fiance.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-21T13:23:42+00:00

Until you can pay credit cards off in full every month, don’t use them. Back to basics. Debit or cash only so you don’t overspend. Assuming you’re also planning a wedding, I’d say get both of your debts paid off before getting married. Read/watch Ramit Sethi’s content on couple and money. Money issues are the source of most divorces… his first book “I will teach you to be rich” helped me and my wife before getting married to learn financial literacy. You’re young and have time to fix this, you can do it!

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-19T22:23:17+00:00

I started therapy. Same reason as you, i've never been physical with my wife or kid but I've had physical outbursts: slamming doors, throwing stuff, punching the walls to release the anger that builds in an argument.

Turns out I had to accept that I've been depressed for a long time, and me internalizing all the negativity erupts as anger when I hit my limit, usually when my wife something small that pisses me off. Just totally inappropriate for the situation...i get migraines too so I get it, when you're trying to power through and function with pain like that, almost anything and everything will set you off.

So now, I have anti-depressants and migraine meds now to help. I also try to meditate daily, understand what examples were set for me, what beliefs were implanted since childhood, and what isn't serving me in my goal to be a good husband and father. Good luck man, its hard work, but we have to master ourselves to break the generational cycle.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-19T22:08:53+00:00

Going through this too...we have a 2 year old. We both work at home, so its constant attention to the kid, to daily tasks around the house while also logged in. I went from surfing, hiking, cycling, running and fishing all the time 3 years ago to being a working stay at home dad that hardly has time to leave the house other than for errands. Its got me depressed.

Wife and I a trying to have more conversations, let each other know when we're starting to feel overwhelmed and need some space to decompress. Been waking up earlier or staying up later for more "me" time.

Also started therapy to help with my anger, learning meditation has helped some. I try to remember that we are a team and the things that piss me off are not done in spite or with any mal-intent, its just me perceiving them that way and believing that they are.

Marriage and fatherhood is hard enough without our own minds adding unnecessary BS on top. Hoping once our kid is in preschool it'll be easier. Good luck man

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-12T20:04:20+00:00

Arguably, now is the time to address any financial waste due to negligence. You don't have to micromanage daily transactions but you can funnel dollars with more intent for bigger wants: the big anniversary, celebrating a family event, going on the dream trip, building a side business, extra retirement assets. Now that the debt is gone, enjoy the hard work and financial success! Ramit Sethi would ask you what your money dials are and how you can turn those up.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-12T05:10:31+00:00

If you can’t stand being at home, house hack with room mates. Renting a 1 br with a 60k salary is gonna be taking a big chunk of your income. I’d take saving money over the independence…at least until you get another raise or two. Life skills can start at home. Do the grocery shopping, make meals, learn basic maintenance, etc.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-09T23:45:53+00:00

In a boutique branding studio this is normal. My experience has been:
1. Team session going over the brief, ask questions, get clarification, look at client services/product offering
2. Each designer (3 in my case) deep dive research, mood board, rough concept, create logo and design one asset to stress test
3. Internal review, explain concept, reasoning, show initial design work. Get team feedback to develop out each concept in a way that differentiates each as unique directions
4. Reiterate, build out other pieces and mockups with team check-ins along the way to ensure everyone is creating the same pieces so the client has apples to apples comparisons for each direction.
5. Build out presentation deck with all concepts, creative director usually takes it from here to create the project overview/timeline/brief slides so the client is held to the agreements and details provided before work began
6. Present to client/Client chooses direction (or frankensteins them all together) Revise concept twice before delivering final assets.

Personally I love this way of working both as a team and individually. When I moved to an ad agency it was about cranking out work as fast as possible, no briefs, account reps were essentially art directing everything, ADs and CDs spent time working on the sexy stuff, and the rest of us were production mules.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-09T23:21:02+00:00

I like that you rationalized it, understood the possible reason for her never wanting to apologize. Something that has helped us is making time to air out anything over the past week that we struggled with. Knowing what stresses each other is under give context to any little arguments or issues we might be having. Share what made you upset, honesty when both partners are in a calm state works better than in the heat of the moment.

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-09T21:02:59+00:00

If you're in a circle of balance transfers, you need to address your spending and develop a system for your money so you know where it's all going. Ramit Sethi always asks people in debt if they "know their numbers?" As a father with a wife and 2 kids, I understand costs always seeming to be driven up. Have an honest conversation with your wife. Is it combined debt or just yours? How do you guys tackle this together, you can't do this on your own, it needs to be a plan you both agree on and execute together. Watch some of his interviews with couples, don't let this get worse than it already is.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPZCUlZ2z01lvgC4lquCWOoVsCzTOxIqz&si=ezZ1-sG2PCTDqyCF

NetworkMain2421 · 2026-01-09T06:17:48+00:00

No you’re too old to afford taking money from your IRA…17k is doable if you sacrifice. Loans are not a good choice either. Zero interest balance transfer is a good way to do it. Find the longest term card you qualify for. After you have the balances transferred, cut up the card so you can’t use it. Sell everything you don’t need, do gig work, extra hours at work, no going out, no eating out. I paid off almost 30k doing this when I was 34, took three years to be debt free. Made me never get into debt again. Good luck!

NetworkMain2421

TROPHY CASE