Comments on: The Cost of Raising a Child http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/ Money Tips for a Better Life Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:29:02 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Bill http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-72723 Bill Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:51:08 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/#comment-72723 Most of the costs you see in these studies are for paid child care and higher education. Cutting the costs of either (e.g. stay at home parent) substantially cuts the cost of raising a child. Right now I'm looking at jobs at the local private university, since as a perquisite they offer a tuition credit for kids of their employees, which is transferrable to a number of other private schools in my state. Most of the costs you see in these studies are for paid child care and higher education.

Cutting the costs of either (e.g. stay at home parent) substantially cuts the cost of raising a child.

Right now I’m looking at jobs at the local private university, since as a perquisite they offer a tuition credit for kids of their employees, which is transferrable to a number of other private schools in my state.

]]> By: kim http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-70884 kim Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:05:47 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/#comment-70884 I thought 200K sounded pretty high for 18 years. Then I started thinking about daycare (5K a year) which will only be for 5 years but some other activity will suck up that money. So that leaves 5-6K a year. I am not spending that now, but I could easily, little cute clothes and little cute toys really add up! I thought 200K sounded pretty high for 18 years. Then I started thinking about daycare (5K a year) which will only be for 5 years but some other activity will suck up that money. So that leaves 5-6K a year. I am not spending that now, but I could easily, little cute clothes and little cute toys really add up!

]]> By: donna jean http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-69934 donna jean Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:24:28 +0000 http://moneysmartlife.com/the-cost-of-raising-a-child/#comment-69934 I agree that it really varies and is based on your kids and how you choose to raise them. Some families are all about extracurricular activities and others think there is enough going on at home. You can raise kids as cheaply or expensively as you want. And there are lots of variables that impact your budget. I just wanted to chime in on one budget saving thing I learned years ago with my daughter -- if you buy your clothes at Sears you can join their Kid Advantage club (maybe you don't have to join at all) but if your kid wears out the clothes before they out grow it, you can take it in and replace it. While I may pay a little more up front for clothes, I have a daughter that can wear the same thing for years, but who also wears things out pretty fast (especially shoes) and I've used this program many times to replace worn out items. I agree that it really varies and is based on your kids and how you choose to raise them. Some families are all about extracurricular activities and others think there is enough going on at home. You can raise kids as cheaply or expensively as you want. And there are lots of variables that impact your budget.

I just wanted to chime in on one budget saving thing I learned years ago with my daughter — if you buy your clothes at Sears you can join their Kid Advantage club (maybe you don’t have to join at all) but if your kid wears out the clothes before they out grow it, you can take it in and replace it. While I may pay a little more up front for clothes, I have a daughter that can wear the same thing for years, but who also wears things out pretty fast (especially shoes) and I’ve used this program many times to replace worn out items.

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