When you can financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally take care of yourself. But next comes mixing in the significant other. If they are down with what you're throwing at them and agree you both have enough time, energy, and love to put into someone else then you can have a child. If one is ready, and the other isn't? No go. Take your time and figure out if putting traveling, experiences, and your younger years on hold is right for you. Can you afford a babysitter for 5+ yeard while they are a toddler? Map out the scenerio, and if it looks ugly, then no shame in waiting or doing it at all. Don't add another ingredient in if you know what you have is fine. You struggle, the baby struggles. You got to put a lot of time and thinking into it. Get a dog first. See if you can handle that, granted they are pretty low maintenance compaired to a baby but still. I work 5 days a week and am barely home. I'd feel terrible if i had a dog cooped up in my house with no one, think how i'd feel about a baby. Never getting to see them because someone else is having to take care of them for me. Just not in the cards right now. i feel you.