How to order Adoption and Money

Explore ways to save money on travel expenses (cheap air fare), and ways to make money, like fundraisers. Be sure to collect all the benefits and subsidies you're due. Includes an actual expense sheet for China, and a budget planner. (See excerpt below.)

To order a copy, fill in this form and send with your cheque to: 220 Summerhill Rd., Southampton, Ont. N0H 2L0 Canada.

The money has to come from somewhere ...

If you're thinking seriously of adopting, don't let worries about cost deter you. Yes, on the one hand, adoption can be expensive (if you don't use the public system). On the other hand, there are ways to make it affordable.

In "Adoption and Money" I've looked at both sides: the money going out -- fees and expenses -- and coming in -- grants, loans, fundraising and the like.

On the outgoing side, I cover the costs of your three adoption options: Domestic Public, Domestic Private and International. A public adoption is essentially free. A private adoption could cost $7,300 to $18,000, while international adoption starts at $10,000 and rises to $35,000 and more.

As for the money coming in, look at the possibilities: savings, grants, loans, company benefits, paid leave from work, tax credits.

When adopting a child with special needs you may qualify for a subsidy, which I explain in "Find a subsidy". I've included a glossary where, for example, you can find the meaning of "special needs".

Then there are ways to save money, especially on travel expenses like air tickets. You could use the list of discounters for your everyday air travel too.

But more than saving money, how about making some? Read about Paulene Hinds' fundraiser that just kept on growing, and actual fundraising schemes that developed into profitable home businesses.

That's quite a variety of financial resources to help you cover the costs of adoption.

With some judicious financial planning, adoption can be an affordable option, one which will make your dream of a family come true.