Cost to raise a kid now ... $241,080

[qtiekiki]

I don't know, somehow you just make it work. We have two kids and we're doing fine. I think we can afford a third!

Yeah, I think you just make it work. You spend less on some stuffs or spend on necessities. But for us, it's not just the financial. We just don't the time and patience for a third.

 

[tammy77]

You can't put a price on love. I've never been happier than the first time I held my daughter, and every day I spend with her is bliss, dirty diapers, tears, and all. My heart feels like it will burst every time I look at her. The bond is THAT deep, and I really don't give a whit about how much it will cost to raise her. We will make do.

+4! I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[TravelingGal]

I cradled my daughter in my arms last night at 2 am while trying to stop her first bloody nose. Lighting was low, and she just lay still in my arms (something that doesn't happen all that often). I looked down at her, and she just smiled up at me, and that image imprinted itself into my mind.

On my deathbed, I will not be looking at my diamonds, or any other thing that money has bought. My eyes will be closed and I'll be remembering that image and many others of my child. Nothing could buy that, or be more priceless to me.

Oh, and TTot starts Kindergarten next month...time flies, y'all!

 

[Dancing Fire]

So I paid $482K for these two PITB daughters?...

 

[SB621]

I cradled my daughter in my arms last night at 2 am while trying to stop her first bloody nose. Lighting was low, and she just lay still in my arms (something that doesn't happen all that often). I looked down at her, and she just smiled up at me, and that image imprinted itself into my mind.

On my deathbed, I will not be looking at my diamonds, or any other thing that money has bought. My eyes will be closed and I'll be remembering that image and many others of my child. Nothing could buy that, or be more priceless to me.

Oh, and TTot starts Kindergarten next month...time flies, y'all!

Tgal you are causing me to tear up...honestly they are rolling down my face because as crazy as kids can be it is the sweetest moments in life as well.

 

[Rosebloom]

I agree TGal - how beautiful. I have moments like that too absolutely seared into my brain and heart. They are what gives my life so much joy!

DF - darling picture!

 

[Laila619]

DF, aww! You must be so proud of your girls!

 

[Dancing Fire]

I agree TGal - how beautiful. I have moments like that too absolutely seared into my brain and heart. They are what gives my life so much joy!

DF - darling picture!

Thanks , RB

 

[Dancing Fire]

DF, aww! You must be so proud of your girls!

Depends..

 

[jaysonsmom]

So I paid $482K for these two PITB daughters?...

Yes, and worth every penny I'm sure!

Here are my 2 biggest jewels.....the joy they give me every day....priceless!

 

[Skippy123]

I have to ditto Monarch and TGal. I wouldn't trade my boys for anything in the world; they are my life. Everyday is a new day with them; I love to hear them make each other laugh, hug each other, give me and my husband hugs and kisses. They gave me a whole new sight; I love seeing things through their eyes and hearts. I can't even describe how much LOVE I have for them; that could never be expressed in words, it feels like the ocean times a millions. It is nice to read that others out there don't feel they can put a price on their children.

I will say $500k is a bargain for my wonderful boys!

 

[isaku5]

Our granddaughter starts university on the 2nd of September. She's ecstatic; he's adding it all up and crying in the corner. He figures that it will be 20k this year. Multiply that by four and add $$ miscellaneous costs and that will be the total cost of her first degree.

 

[amc80]

Our granddaughter starts university on the 2nd of September. She's ecstatic; he's adding it all up and crying in the corner. He figures that it will be 20k this year. Multiply that by four and add $$ miscellaneous costs and that will be the total cost of her first degree.

Yes, but do parents really have to pay for college? My parents helped out with living expenses but came nowhere near paying for everything. I worked quite a bit after my freshman year. They did pay my grad school tuition but that was only $5k and I lived at home that year. DH and I have already had this discussion and he doesn't believe in paying any of the kids' college expenses. He paid for his own (and used the GI Bill) and thinks kids will work harder if it is on their dime. I agree to some extent but would like to at least help out some.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Our granddaughter starts university on the 2nd of September. She's ecstatic; he's adding it all up and crying in the corner. He figures that it will be 20k this year. Multiply that by four and add $$ miscellaneous costs and that will be the total cost of her first degree.

Yes, but do parents really have to pay for college? My parents helped out with living expenses but came nowhere near paying for everything. I worked quite a bit after my freshman year. They did pay my grad school tuition but that was only $5k and I lived at home that year. DH and I have already had this discussion and he doesn't believe in paying any of the kids' college expenses. He paid for his own (and used the GI Bill) and thinks kids will work harder if it is on their dime. I agree to some extent but would like to at least help out some.

No, but we did paid for our daughter's college. IMO, parents should help out with some of their expenses.

 

[isaku5]

Just to clarify. Our GD has worked at Mc Donalds for three years while she was still getting honours in high school. She's a saver and has actually invested some of her money in mutual funds that she and her dad chose.

Our son is very smart with money too. He makes a very good salary and at 23 started putting money into RRSP's. He also set up an RESP for his daughter shortly after her birth.

Their very large house has been paid off for three years.

Unfortunately, DGD did not qualify for any scholarships. Her final average was 84.5% and with no 'rounding up' there was nothing 'free'.

I think she'll do very well in university as she has shown that she can organize an event, prepare for exams and have a social life too.

 

[tammy77]

I agree that kids should have to pay for at least a portion of their own schooling. My ex got a free ride to a 4 yr university, rent for a nice apt where he had his own room, a new car to drive around and his parents brought groceries to him every week - oh, and did his laundry for him so he could "focus on school". Guess what? He dropped out with two classes to go, can't run his household to save his life and is hopeless in real life situations that require him to multitask. Oh, and he's been living off of his parents for the past 3 yrs - new car, mortgage payments, anything he's supposed to be responsible for at the age of 37.

I know part of his problem is his own personality, but honestly I'm 100% sure that the biggest contributing factor to his failure to launch is being coddled to death by his parents.

My DH now on the other hand, initially had a free ride, but screwed it up. His parents pulled the plug, he wised up and finished school on his own. Yes, we're still paying off his student loans but thankfully his degree is very much in use and makes far more money than it cost.

I never finished my degree because I moved states to be with the ex at the wise age of 20 then got pregnant, but when I was I'm school I paid my tuition while living at home and got very good grades. So the three examples I have personally interacted with all point towards having to work for an education being a healthy thing.

Sorry if I've rambled. Being 8 months pregnant and having a massive earache = a very fuzzy brain.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I agree that kids should have to pay for at least a portion of their own schooling. My ex got a free ride to a 4 yr university, rent for a nice apt where he had his own room, a new car to drive around and his parents brought groceries to him every week - oh, and did his laundry for him so he could "focus on school". Guess what? He dropped out with two classes to go, can't run his household to save his life and is hopeless in real life situations that require him to multitask. Oh, and he's been living off of his parents for the past 3 yrs - new car, mortgage payments, anything he's supposed to be responsible for at the age of 37.

Nice to have rich parents...

 

[tammy77]

I actually feel sorry for them (well, a little). They've worked very hard for their money. His mom worked for the state of California for 35 yrs and his father ran a grocery store. That said, they just bought a huge house in the Pocket area to share with their younger son. So, yeah. I don't feel TOO badly since they being it on themselves.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I actually feel sorry for them (well, a little). They've worked very hard for their money. His mom worked for the state of California for 35 yrs and his father ran a grocery store. That said, they just bought a huge house in the Pocket area to share with their younger son. So, yeah. I don't feel TOO badly since they being it on themselves.

In what city?

 

[Zappy]

I can see how each child can cost 240k but I do think that everyday choices can significantly decrease that final number. I know some mothers who don't make much more than 13k a year and get by just fine without government help. They live a simple life and have creative ideas!

There is nothing at all wrong if you have to spend over 1k a month on your child, I just hope parents out there who spend significantly less don't see these figures and think that they need to spend more than they do in order to be the best parents.

These numbers sure do give me something to think about as dh and I plan our futures though!

 

[tammy77]

I actually feel sorry for them (well, a little). They've worked very hard for their money. His mom worked for the state of California for 35 yrs and his father ran a grocery store. That said, they just bought a huge house in the Pocket area to share with their younger son. So, yeah. I don't feel TOO badly since they being it on themselves.

In what city?

You know the city! It's in the gated community.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I actually feel sorry for them (well, a little). They've worked very hard for their money. His mom worked for the state of California for 35 yrs and his father ran a grocery store. That said, they just bought a huge house in the Pocket area to share with their younger son. So, yeah. I don't feel TOO badly since they being it on themselves.

In what city?

You know the city! It's in the gated community.

Ok, River Lake. you still live here?

 

[tammy77]

Nah, we're in the bay area now. I have to say, we love it here! The weather is great and our city is a wonderful place to raise kids.

 

[ericad]

I'll be spending that amount just on DD's sport of choice (to which she's very dedicated, so I better see her ass at the olympics some day!) Probably more than that, come to think of it.