How much do kids cost, in general? (1 Viewer)

[eoMMan]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue.

Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.

Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

 

[Clown Car]

My personal experience is $40 for diapers per month, maybe $15 for copays for DR visits. That's about it. We have a great circle of friends who pass around clothes, cribs, etc. Also, I breast feed almost for the whole first year, so no formula. And When they start eating food, they eat what we eat, so I don't buy special stuff. The amount they eat is not nearly the amount we throw away before they get here.

As they get older, you can choose to spend as much as you want, or try to be more frugal. The stuff they want to do seems more expensive now than when they were littler. But clothes and food, in my opinion, can be done for very little. The incremental costs of going out to eat is what seems to hurt us the most.

 

[guru_007]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue.

Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.

Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

Day care is my biggest expense each month.Costs change a lot from newborn to 10 years old.

If you subtract out daycare for my 8 year old, you are looking at about 400/year in clothes, 300/year in school lunch, and maybe an extra 60/month in food. Activities add another 2500/year

Newborns you are looking at significantly more expenses between formula, diapers, clothes (they need more every few months), etc...

 

[belljr]

Don't know about you but our food bill is out of this world with a teenager in the house.....

 

[eoMMan]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue.

Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.

Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

Day care is my biggest expense each month.Costs change a lot from newborn to 10 years old.

If you subtract out daycare for my 8 year old, you are looking at about 400/year in clothes, 300/year in school lunch, and maybe an extra 60/month in food. Activities add another 2500/year

Newborns you are looking at significantly more expenses between formula, diapers, clothes (they need more every few months), etc...

Cool....thanks.How much on average do people pay for formula, diapers, and baby food?

 

[mozzy84]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

 

[sholditch]

The formula we use is about $28 per can which lasts a little more than three weeks. Diapers aren't nearly as expensive as they're made out to be, especially if you buy in the largest amount possible.

I was really worried about the costs of having a newborn but I'm almost seven months in and it hasn't been that bad. Plus, you go out/eat out wwaaaaaaaayyyyyyy less, so it could actually save you money if you have an active social life.

 

[belljr]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue.

Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.

Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

Day care is my biggest expense each month.Costs change a lot from newborn to 10 years old.

If you subtract out daycare for my 8 year old, you are looking at about 400/year in clothes, 300/year in school lunch, and maybe an extra 60/month in food. Activities add another 2500/year

Newborns you are looking at significantly more expenses between formula, diapers, clothes (they need more every few months), etc...

Cool....thanks.How much on average do people pay for formula, diapers, and baby food?

I think last time I did this not counting the rise in heat an electricity my daughter was costing us about 250-350 a month...

 

[sholditch]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

 

[mex]

On sports alone I spend about 1200 per year for 2 boys.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

You also need to take into account your housing situation. Most people pay a lot more in mortgage/rent if they have kids because they want a nicer place in a better neighborhood.

 

[timschochet]

I'll sell you my daughters for $250,000 each.

 

[belljr]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

that does seem high I was paying around 80-85 a month. We went through 3 cans a month of formula.

 

[mozzy84]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

 

[guru_007]

On sports alone I spend about 1200 per year for 2 boys.

that's not bad.activities for my three kids are at about $6K/year

 

[mex]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

breast feeding is free

 

[belljr]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

When my daughter was doing just formula it lasted 10 days tops. That i think was about 5 bottles a day

 

[mex]

On sports alone I spend about 1200 per year for 2 boys.

that's not bad.activities for my three kids are at about $6K/year

I'm low balling it here, I didn't take into account buying Jersey's $100 a pop and sports equipment/cleats/under armors so probably add about another K and once my younger one starts playing football that number will jump another 300. #### I forgot the younger one is playing lacrosse now too so I'm probably spending close to 2k a year now. Then he will hit the cyo age and it'll jump to almost 3k

 

[benm3218]

Its not as much as you would think. Because you dont go out and party as much so the money converts from dinner and movies to baby stuff. It doenst hit the pocket book that bad IMO.

 

[ODoyleRules]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

One of those big costco cans last us about 12-15 days. For me, with 2 kids, the biggest thing is the grocery bill. Used to be we'd get a week's worth of food for ~50. Now we can't leave the store spending less than 100 and we're still going back for something within a week. Then again, we're only eating out once or twice a month, so it's a wash.

 

[mozzy84]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

When my daughter was doing just formula it lasted 10 days tops. That i think was about 5 bottles a day

yea thats about right, I just remember it was $118 for 4 cans of that stuff, and it was pretty close to once a month buying that. The generic stuff was cheaper but had to have a certain kind for some reason..;.

 

[Mark Wimer]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue.

Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.

Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

New Borns go through diapers at an astounding rate (12 a day or more). If you do decide to have a child, ask for newborn and size 1 diapers as your baby shower gifts - have an extra closet to pack them away into - not kidding.When it comes to food, it depends on a number of factors. If your significant other is willing to breast feed for 6 months or a year, then the costs are significantly lower. However, if your significant other has a career and needs to buy a breast pump, not so much. You'll probably have to supplement with formula for at least some feedings in the event that your S.O. is doing the breast pump thing (in my experience, one large can of formula will last about 1 week in this paradigm, about 4 days without any breast feeding at all). Also, you'll need a sterilizer for all the pump parts and milk storage containers (unless you use disposable milk storage bags, which also cost $).

Once you are past the breast-feeding/formula stage, there are a number of considerations. My wife insisted on organic milk until the kids were 2 years old (about 2x as expensive as regular everyday milk). She also tried to purchase as much organic produce as possible, and the baby food was all "Earth's Best" until the kids were past the baby food stage. We have a bread machine and make most of our breadstuffs ourselves (cheaper than store-bought, actually, but time consuming).

Here's my advice - consult with your significant other closely on the topic of child-care, diet etc. before she is pregnant. Work out each of your expectations when it comes to all things baby and toddler - including public vs. private education, etc - and then go price those things in your community.

You'll be surprised at what a single kid will cost you in terms of $$. There are lots of great things about being a parent (you'll grow up in a lot of ways you don't expect, and suddenly your parents will seem a lot smarter than they did before you had kids), but in today's society a child costs mega-bucks when we're just talking the filthy lucre you need to raise them in the manner you imagine (dance lessons, voice lessons, sport participation, SAT preparation courses, etc.) they should be raised.

My .02.

 

[moleculo]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.

We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

Sure poor people have kids, but those kids often grow up with serious disadvantages in life. Most people would prefer to avoid that if possible.

 

[Mark Wimer]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

My oldest is 6 and my youngest is just now hitting the terrible 2's - I have been out on 4 dates with my wife in the past 2 years - and we had to be home by 10 PM for 3 of those 4 events (the other was when my parents visited for a week and we snuck out for a whole evening out). Haven't camped in 6 years, haven't seen a movie together in the theater in living memory, etc. etc. Unless you have close family near by (Grandparents, Uncles/Aunts), you will never be able to find reliable on-call child care.

 

[Balance]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

Our oldest is 2 now as well. When he was about 5 months old we learned about these cool things called baby sitters.

 

[offdee]

The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.

This is what I was going to post earlier but figured I'd let someone else do it.I don't have kids so can't speak from personal experience, but have seen this time and time again with many of my friends who have gone down this path.The other big issue I see with those that have kids is that they basically become "their life". They no longer have a sense of self anymore and every single step they take in life is about their kids and no longer about what makes them happy.No thanks.

 

[Third]

newborns will burn through $120 of formula a month. I would say closer to 200 than 500 though to answer your question. One kid is not very expensive anyways, if they they to see the doc alot though that can change, even with insurance...

$120 a month? You gotta be kidding me...

you gotta be kidding a can of that stuff lasts you 3 weeks if thats all they are eating. yea we would go though over 100 bucks a month easy in formula for one kid.

breast feeding is free

... but not always possible.

 

[Doug B]

The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.

We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

And you can make it as cheap or expensive as you want pretty much. As an example, I'm sure for multi-millionaires, any children born necessitates a live-in nanny. But millions of parents get by without a nanny.

That applies for practically anything you might buy for your kids:

"Dam, Pampers are twice as much as store-brand diapers!" (Lots of kids never wear name-brand diapers).

"Dam, Carters clothes are twice as much as Wal-Mart specials" (Lots of kids get almost all hand-me downs).

"Dam, dance classes are expensive!" (Lots of kids never get into organized dance)

"Dam, private schools are a rip!" (Lots of kids just go to public school)

And so on.

 

[moleculo]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

Sure poor people have kids, but those kids often grow up with serious disadvantages in life. Most people would prefer to avoid that if possible.

I think it's more rooted in selfishness and not wanting to sacrifice a lifestyle.It's kind of like the deal where everyone thinks that if they only made 25% more money, all their problems go away, regardless of how much they actually earn. People will gripe about (lack of) money if they make $25k or $125k.

 

[moleculo]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

Our oldest is 2 now as well. When he was about 5 months old we learned about these cool things called baby sitters.

I wish. My wife doesn't trust them, and we don't have any relatives near by

 

[D_Rock]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

Except, My wife and I took out 7 month old to a reds game when the cubs were in town. And we are going up to ann arbor to see a Michigan game this september.But maybe that is just me. I cannot wait to take my son to sporting events. Dude is 7 months old and I am already planning trips to these things.But ya, sleep, time, and independence...The worst is you cant just take a nap whenever you damn well feel like it.

 

[D_Rock]

The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.

This is what I was going to post earlier but figured I'd let someone else do it.I don't have kids so can't speak from personal experience, but have seen this time and time again with many of my friends who have gone down this path.The other big issue I see with those that have kids is that they basically become "their life". They no longer have a sense of self anymore and every single step they take in life is about their kids and no longer about what makes them happy.No thanks.

Its not for everyone.

 

[Doug B]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

Sure poor people have kids, but those kids often grow up with serious disadvantages in life. Most people would prefer to avoid that if possible.

Depends how poor you're talking.For example, living out of a car is a disadvantage. Living in cheapish rental property (assuming relative personal safety) is not ... not really.

 

[D_Rock]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

Except, My wife and I took out 7 month old to a reds game when the cubs were in town. And we are going up to ann arbor to see a Michigan game this september.But maybe that is just me. I cannot wait to take my son to sporting events. Dude is 7 months old and I am already planning trips to these things.But ya, sleep, time, and independence...The worst is you cant just take a nap whenever you damn well feel like it.

And we took him to the Bearcats South Florida Football game on Halloween on ESPN on a Thursday night. The little guy fell asleep and stayed asleep the almost the whole second half. Must be nice.

 

[jonessed]

Unless you plan on having them all sleep in your room until they are 10 you will probably have to allot for some extra space.

 

[Doug B]

I wish. My wife doesn't trust them, and we don't have any relatives near by

Except we have plenty of relatives nearby, but either:1) Wife trusts them, but they're going through second adolesence in their 50s and don't have time (my in-laws)2) Wife trusts them, but they're self-absorbed, living college life-styles in their 30s, and "don't do kids" (my sisters-in-law)3) Wife doesn't trust them, but they'll watch out kids for free at the drop of a hat (my whole family )

 

[moleculo]

let's also not forget to include the lost income from stay-at-home-mom. Going one salary can be tough.

 

[Adebisi]

I was recently told that having kids is overrated and that a great many people regret having them, but for obvious reasons, very, very few parents would ever admit that. Any parents want to chime in on this?

 

[Da Guru]

I'm talking about younger kids, like new born to 10 years old or so. How much more each month would it cost for food, diapers, formula, etc? I mean, for a new born, are we talking about an extra $200 a month in expenses or an extra $500? I have no clue. Don't factor in day care, insurance, and college savings....just everyday expenses. Assume there would be a stay at home mom or grandma watching the kid.Don't worry.....I'm not expecting....just curious if I do decide to do this one day.

Wait until the hit the 10-17 area...then quadruple everything per kid.

 

[mozzy84]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

The true cost of kids isn't money, it's sleep, time, and independence. That's where it stings ya.

We had our first 2 years ago. Since then, my wife and I haven't taken the boat out, seen a movie, gone out to a bar/club , been out past 10:00PM, gone to a sports event, gone camping, taken a weekend vacation together, etc.

The grand a month for daycare stings my ### every month it is funny though you always find a way to come up with money, I have no clue what I used to spend my money on, I must have drank and gone out so much more.

 

[Gambino]

I know it costs me 41 cents every time my 2 year old craps

 

[St. Louis Bob]

How much you got?

 

[rabidfireweasel]

You say to not worry about college, but unless you have an inheritance, you ought to think about it.

The average cost of one year, in-state public college w/room and board is about $15000 per year. That is $60,000 grand if they wrap it up in 4 years.

The average private education is double that.

If you are having a kid right now, and think they might attend a private college in 18 years, you need to plan about a quarter million per kid.

 

[Judge Smails]

If you think kids cost at that age, wait till later. BOATLOADS. I have 15, 17 and 19 year old teenagers. I don't even want to know how much I've spent. Well worth it, don't get me wrong, but it's a staggering amount. Sports, driving, insurance and then their day to day.

 

[Doug B]

I was recently told that having kids is overrated and that a great many people regret having them, but for obvious reasons, very, very few parents would ever admit that. Any parents want to chime in on this?

It's not a black-and-white, either-or thing.Almost every parent feels regret from time to time. But most commonly, when you have regrets, it's not so much regretting the kids as regretting not being able to do things you did when single or when childless.But you're in it for the long haul ... and your feelings towards the situation change all the time. Few people ever stop loving their kids and looking out for their well being.It's a real grass-is-greener thing ... there are a lot of sad, lonely 40-somethings, too, who would love the chance to regret having a family.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I hear people all the time saying they want to wait until they are in a better financial situation to raise a family. I say poor people have kids all the time, so what's the big deal?

Sure poor people have kids, but those kids often grow up with serious disadvantages in life. Most people would prefer to avoid that if possible.

Depends how poor you're talking.For example, living out of a car is a disadvantage. Living in cheapish rental property (assuming relative personal safety) is not ... not really.

You don't think there's a difference between sending your kid to a good school and a crappy one?

 

[Da Guru]

If you think kids cost at that age, wait till later. BOATLOADS. I have 15, 17 and 19 year old teenagers. I don't even want to know how much I've spent. Well worth it, don't get me wrong, but it's a staggering amount. Sports, driving, insurance and then their day to day.

My Daughter just backed into a pole at school..500.00 deductable..my other daughter thought she had web access on her new phone 250.00 extra on my phone bill this month. Homecoming dresses, proms. Hollister clothes I used to have quite a bit extra cash every month..that has ended the last couple of years

 

[Doug B]

You say to not worry about college, but unless you have an inheritance, you ought to think about it.The average cost of one year, in-state public college w/room and board is about $15000 per year. That is $60,000 grand if they wrap it up in 4 years.The average private education is double that.If you are having a kid right now, and think they might attend a private college in 18 years, you need to plan about a quarter million per kid.

None of this is necessary. My dad was a blue-collar single-income provider, and never could dream of saving a college fund for us. Yet, still, I got a tuition waiver at my state school, got loans for books and room & board, and went to college.A college fund, IMHO, is a luxury. Great thing to be able to bestow upon your child, no question -- but not something that dooms them to fail in life if it's not there. There's always a way.

 

[trogg78]

My wife breastfeeds for a couple years, so no bottles. We also don't use disposable diapers. My wife is insane for this organic cotten designer diapers. She has even designed a few. She even has some diapers that she doesn't want to use and keeps them new in package so she can trade them with other people.

her version of FBG's is Diaperswappers.com