Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption

by Julie Gumm

In 2000, Julie and her husband, Mark, declared war on their debt credit cards, student loans, cars and the house. Seven years later, as they wrote the check for their last mortgage payment, God called them to adopt two children from Ethiopia. A few months later, with their income unexpectedly cut by two-thirds, they wondered if they could finish the adoption without crossing back over into the red. When they brought Wendemagegn and Beza home 12 months later, Julie and her husband proved debt-free adoption is possible! Passionate about helping others achieve their adoption dream, Julie shares how to find extra money in your household budget, apply for grants, and fundraise in order to build your family without saddling it with debt. With over $80,000 worth of creative fundraising ideas from more than 30 adoptive families, the second edition of Adopt Without Debt shows you how to fulfill your adoption dream without signing away your financial freedom.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction, Parenting, Finance

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adoption primer plus fundraising ideas. A bit outdated but still a wealth of information.

[Stacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

While people rated this book with less stars because the information could be found on a blog or something, I find it an invaluable resource. Julie Gumm is an excellent author who is easy to read. I loved hearing and following along with her on her journey and learning of the successes of other families. I had basically left my dream of adopting internationally behind because of costs. I was headed toward foster-to-adopt because of the low to no cost and because there was such a need, however we do not qualify because our room sizes are too small. I read this book gearing up for another domestic (hopefully private, because they're less expensive) adoption. This book gives me hope that we really could raise the money needed for international adoption. We shall see where the Lord moves in our lives, but I'm glad this book is out there!

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of disappointing read, nothing in here that I couldn't find online in less time than it took to read this dull book. Perhaps I just didn't like the author who wanted to adopt just because and tried to claim religion as a motive and sign and came off as a bit irritating. Frankly, the idea of asking all my friends and family for their junk and renting a lot to sell it seems rude and the claim of making $5k seems extremely unlikely. Then again perhaps the author lives in a fairy tale world where you just feel like something, say a prayer and magically a easy, well financed and pampered pathway appears. I'm all for prayers and positive thinking but not everyone is debt free and loaded with a network ready to finance every whim.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie divides the book into three parts: her family’s story, how to cut down expenses to save (“find money at home”), and fundraising ideas. It’s an incredibly easy read – 136 pages that I finished in 2 uninterrupted hours. Her fundraising ideas aren’t theory; she gives examples of real families who used the various ideas and approximately how much they raised through that event. I found it applicable as well as a source of inspiration. As I was reading through it, I wished I had purchased the book rather than borrowing it from the library so I could make notes of the ideas I came up with.

There were a few personal things I had issues with in the beginning of the book (while I believe God can work in and through our circumstances, I fully believe that for confirmation of any decision we should seek His Word first and foremost), but the rest of the book was concise and at the same time intriguing. Adopting without debt really is possible! I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks adopting is way out of their price range; anyone who has considered adoption but has shied away from the idea because of the cost; anyone who desperately wants to adopt but always thought it would require debt; and anyone who is looking for more ideas about successfully adopting without debt.

[Leah Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to anyone considering adoption, in the adoption process, or wanting to help adopting families.

The cost of adoption seems to be one of the primary things keeping families from adoption. This book outlines ideas for rising above this fear and adopting anyway...debt free.

The first part of the book shared the authors adoption/going-debt-free story. A lot of it was outlining the basis of getting out of debt and why doing so is Biblical. Stuff like budgeting, settling for a less expensive car, eating out less, etc.

The second part shared how to save, earn, and fundraise money for an adoption. After following several families adoptions, several of the ideas were familiar to me. Plenty of them were totally new, though. (The karaoke night fundraiser sounded especially fun!) Now I'm off to check the authors website!

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book had a lot of good ideas, but the whole time I was reading it, I felt like I could have read this all on a website rather than a stand alone book. Perhaps I should have saved my $10 and put it toward an adoption fund! But, I have no complaint about the suggestions and it is nice to have all that information in one book that I can hold.

It's a fast read. I think you could finish it in a sitting if you didn't have kids running around.

If you are familiar with Dave Ramsey, the first couple chapters will be familiar. It's inspiring to see that so many families can creatively fund adoptions.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an overall ok read. Once you get past the stories, there are some tips on finding ways to fund and cover the costs of an adoption. Of course, I'm the type of guy that is looking for the practical information.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so many wonderful suggestions for funding the adoption process. From budgeting and cutting back to fundraising and grants, there are so many helpful ideas and real life examples. A really encouraging book.

[Ashley Newberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick and easy to read. As someone who is already very frugal and good at saving money, I didn't see many new ideas. The fundraising stuff was really the only thing I hadn't thought of. That would definitely be a lot of hard work. Good read though for anyone looking to adopt.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and most of the information is available online, but it is nice to have an actual book to refer to.

[Mackenzie]

Great fundraising ideas! If you are thinking about adoption, but are scared of the high price tag, I would definitely recommend that you read this book.

[Theresa Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, some very obvious. A little too Christian themed at times and didn't always connect w her personal story as she already had her ow children and then decided to adopt.

[Jeff Whittum · Rating 3 out of 5]

short but informative.

[Misty Espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tips for those adopting and trying to stay out of debt!!!

[Dave Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. I can't seem to read anything about adoption without crying, though -- even a book that focuses on finances.

[Jenny Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great book, but most of it was covered in Dave Ramsey curriculum. Good fundraising ideas though.