<prompt> Human: I apologize in advance for the cringeworthy financial decisions described below:Girlfriend and I are in our mid 20s currently living in Brooklyn. Before finding out our newfangled situation a few months ago we were very irresponsible with our money, blowing it all every month with zero savings. We have done a complete 180 when it comes to lifestyle and spending habits, trying to save whatever we can, but the looming deadline March 4th is creeping up, weve only saved 2000 so far... honestly we are scared shitless.As of September 1st, she has moved into my bedroom, which is one room in a 3 bedroom apartment. My 3 other roommates graciously allowed her to stay with us, as her lease was up before mine. Us and our roommates are currently splitting rent 5 ways 364 each, and her and I have a tentative move-out date at the end of December, which would hopefully give us enough time to prepare for the new arrival.We both have relatively new jobs that we have been at for almost a year now. She currently makes 14hr working full-time retail in Manhattan, and has zero debt but a poor credit rating of 520ish never worried about her credit and had a couple small bills go to collections without her realizing. I work as a creative at a marketing agency in NJ making 54kyr yes, I do commute from Brooklyn-NJ via car with about 50k in debt 14k car loan, 20k personal, 4k credit card, 12k student loans. My credit is 690, with no delinquencies. ---The plan is for us to move to NJ so I can be closer to work, and she will take her maternity leave and be a stay-at-home mother as childcare costs in the NYC metro are comparable to her entire pay. Unfortunately rent for a 1br apartment is minimum 1200mo more like 1500 without utilities- financially at the wire considering my current monthly debt payments 1000mo minimum, which I believe makes my gross incomemonthly debt ratio is .22. HOWEVER, properties exist further into NJ for less than 100k were looking at reallly small places for about 70k, and based on all of the online calculators I can find, they would have a monthly living cost of about 1000. Of course, the main barrier in our way is the down payment, as we currently only have 2000 in the bank and not-so-great combined credit. We estimate that we can scrape together 15000 cash by the end of December by saving every penny and selling stuff we dont need, but I believe thats too late to matter if we were to try and buy. Honestly, I am unsure if wed even qualify to get a mortgage for the 70k considering the my debt and mediocre credit score.My questions are:- When during the homebuying process do you generally deliver a down-payment? Is the commitment made at the start or can it change? IE can I apply for a mortgage as if I have 3.5 down, and at the end of the process put down a larger down-payment to change the rate? Do I have to even say the amount I plan to put for down-payment during the mortgage approval process.- Assuming I would apply for the mortgage alone as her credit is so poor, Can my girlfriend simply give me money to put towards the down payment... or would it be better if she paid off some of my debt... or should she apply with me?- Should we just get an apartment?- Any other suggestions?Thanks for your help and sorry for the wall of text.  <response>: If I were you, I would just get an apartment.I am a pretty risk-averse person. To me, the idea that I might randomly need to make a repair on my home of anywhere from 1k-10k and up! is terrifying. When you rent, and the heater breaksroof leakspests invadeair conditioner breakstoilet backs upetc, guess what happens? You call the landlord. When you own property, without a cash cushion to pay for these things, and something happens, guess what? YOU are on the hook! Without a good-sized emergency fund AND space in the budget for routine maintenance, you are simply not in a position to be a homeowner. There are too many extra costs and risks associated with it. Remember that although you are having your kid crazy soon, the kid isnt going to remember that she or he lived in an apartment in NJ for the first few years of their life. The cost of childcare goes down as the child ages, particularly once they start school. So your wife could absolutely go back to work if she wants to when your kid is old enough to be in cheaper daycare or starts pre-Kkindergarten. Living in an apartment can be a temporary situation if you play your cards right. If you save diligently and stick to a budget, and stay off the my kid must have the best most expensive new everything train, this is absolutely manageable. Having a kid with a stable financial future is the goal--not homeownership. Also there could be income opportunities for your wife--she could watch other peoples kids for cash or for barter if legal blah blah blah, start a home business, be a pet-sitter or babysitter, etc. I would rent, keep saving, and then reassess in two years or so. 