Creative ways to afford adoption!

Unfortunately, the overwhelming cost of adoption is the #1 reason people interested in adopting don't. For those that don't know, adoption costs for a domestic infant adoption through an agency range from $25,000-$50,000. Yeah. It's crazy. BUT if you are determined and not afraid to sacrifice or work hard, anyone can make it work!

Here's 10 things we are doing to raise money for our adoption:

1. Apply for Grants. Here is a list. Most of them you must have a completed home study first.

2. Crowd Funding. There are sites like youcaring.com and adopttogether.org where you can crowdfund for your adoption costs!

3. Sell Handmade Items Online. If you are crafty you can sell items on Instagram, facebook, or etsy.

4. Rent a Spare Room (on Air bnb.) We have been doing this for about 2 years now, and its been an awesome experience! It doesn't have to be a fancy suite or anything, we just rent a basic spare room and a shared bathroom. We make around $400-$500 a month! Might be worth clearing out a space for a time!

5. Dog Boarding. DogVacay.com is basically Air bnb for pets! So if you don't have a spare room, you can pet sit for about the same amount!

6. Sell Your Crap. We have been adopting a minimalist lifestyle and have been slowly selling our extra things online. (mainly facebook marketplace and ebay) We recently downsized our clothes and took the nice brands to a consignment shop. You can also hold a garage sale and get your friends to donate stuff!

7. Tee Shirt Fundraiser. Bonfire.com is a great example! You can start a t-shirt campaign with your own designs or some of the awesome ones they offer!

8. Hold a Silent Auction. It can be online or in person. Ask friends, family, local shops etc. to donate items.

9. Throw a Party. Can be as low key or as formal as you want! Throw a backyard BBQ or a Gala event and charge per person.

10. Cut back on extra expenses and pay off credit cards. We set up a strict budget on Mint.com cutting down on extra expenses. (eating out, coffee, shopping, and date nights.) We paid off our credit cards to help build our credit, and get rid of the extra interest.

More things to consider: There is a tax credit available for adoptive parents. After the adoption is finalized, there is a tax credit available for up to $13,000 of adoption expenses. For more info go here.

Foster care is always free, and you can choose an adopt only route for a cost free adoption.