*UPDATE*  Noel WILL be fixed, next week actually.  Cita and Winter will have to wait their turns respectively to meet Mr. Snip Snip.  As of right now, ALL 3 rats are in their own cages.  Noel is in an escape proof cage (NO, she's not that tiny, just very squishy) and I doubt I will return her to Cita as Cita is very aggressive with her and *HAS* drawn blood.  Ms Cita will most likely REMAIN alone due to this fact.  I will give Noel the option to move in with Winter if she chooses after she's recovered.  As for studly Winter, yes he's also alone, but he's never in his cage in the first place (when he's awake), he's always out being held or just wandering about, so a companion for him is out of the question right now.  I don't think I'm being cruel at all.  I love my rats and they get LOTS of attention.  I also buy good food and lots of fresh fruit and such, but I think 3 rats in my household is MORE than enough.  Thank you everyone for your advice!
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We were gifted an adorable baby girl we named Noel (approx birthday 11/21/2006).  Darling girl showed an early aptitude for escaping.  After losing her a couple times and finding her in our older girl/Cita's cage (happy and snug) we decided to let her stay in there.  She still likes to take "walk about" and every morning I come into the room to telltale signs she's been out (action figures and Breyer's in disarray).

On January 20th we adopted an albino boy from Petco (he was dropped off by his former owner).  Winter is cuddly and loving and everything you could ever want in a rat.  And apparently quite the host.

See, stupid us (darling husband and I) didn't think she'd dare to enter Winter's cage.  No...why would she do that?      Well, surprise, surprise surprise, guess who I found enjoying the round spin-ey fun of Winter's exercise wheel?  With Winter looking on?  Yes, my darling Noel.

We've had Winter for 10 days now, and they seemed quite happy in each other's company.  *sigh* I can only assume they've...well, YOU KNOW (I believe the word "canoodled" has been used in these parts).

SOOO...now, pregnancy watch commences; and pregnancy reading and pregnancy talking.

I have no business making baby rats!  I also can't afford to have either of my darling's fixed.  In a few weeks, a month or more yes (that horrible spectre FINANCES).  I'll inquire with the local (trusted) pet store if they'll take a litter of weaned babies, just to be safe.  That is...assuming they arrive, arrive safely, live and I can bear to part with my first grandchildren.

So please, commence with the advice, condemnation or sympathetic pats on the back. 

Could you afford to get her spayed?  Have some wonderful health benefits for her, and will save any future problems and no little babies getting stuck at the pet store.

I would really consider getting her a better cage or getting her spayed.  As soon as she has babies, the first thing she is going to do, is go back to Winter to recommence the "canoodling".  Getting her spayed now, will remove the babies so you dont have to bring them to a petstore, and this way, you can keep her and Winter together with no future issues.  Did you call your vet just to get an idea on how much it would cost to get it done?  The health benefits in female ratties is huge, especially if done while young.  Please keep us updated on what you decide! And good luck

Wow she must be really small if she can get through 1/2" bars, and really determined.

Something to consider too, is that raising a litter isn't necessarily cheaper than a spay, especially if you end up not being able to part with the grandchildren.

Same here...a spay is 2/3 the price of a removal. 

We got her a new cage today, it'll be up within the hour.  I'm going to call around Friday to find vets in our area who spay rats.  Though the idea of being a "grandparent" is appealing, I have no business bringing baby rats into the world.

I really want to thank everyone for the advice and the helpful admonishments.  Noel would thank you too.  Though Winter probably wouldn't (cue porno music). *wink*

Its also well worth it to talk to your vet about a payment plan.  Explain the situation and many will be sympathetic.  A payment plan over a couple months can really make things affordable.

Wait, so you have the two females, and the one male? Why did you get the boy if you have girls?

Anyway, I think spaying both girls would be a great idea. That way no one has to be lonely It sounds like spaying both girls and neutering the boy would be financially pushing it, or impossible, but if you can just do the two girls...you'll probably save vet money in the long run, anyway

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Sorry I wasn't clear!

Anyway, you said you don't really have the money for a neuter...So why did you adopt a male rat, who now has to live alone (unless you get spays/neuter done) since you have girls and can't house the three together? Basically, why adopt the other rat knowingly he would have to be solitary?

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm attacking, I'm just curious, as you seem to know rats need to have company seeing as you have two girls.

Why dont you just neuter the boy, so all three can live together.  That way you only have to pay for one?  I have two neutered boys living with two intact girlies and they get along great!

Oh yeah... 

I take that back, get both the girlies spayed!!