"Cost of raising a child" - Complete and Utter Bull? - Page 2

[starbound25]

honestly I feel anyone can swing having a baby, we had tough times with all of our babes, some worse than others but were able to manage it all

now the big issue definitly seems to be when they are older, as we are debating a 4th one right now, check out the links to my threads I posted, it is eyeopening and keeps me on the fence about the next one

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=888620

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=892510

good luck with your choice

[~Katie~]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. For the past year before DS was born and first three months of DS's life, DH and I were jobless and DH was finishing up college. We got by on what we had left from financial aid for college and what he made through the Reserves. We really didn't buy him anything until he was closer to 5 months (besides cloth diapers), we didn't have a crib or any baby gear besides a bouncy seat and carseat, everything was either purchased for us or hand-me down. DS has really cost us next to nothing, its paying for rent and gas and everything else that stinks. His food really doesn't cost extra because he eats the same things we do, and breastmilk is free. I'm frugal about clothing so for the spring/summer it has only cost me $50 at most (though I did splurge on a pair of pedipeds). Kids can as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make them.

[kriket]

the more I think about "others excuses" to not have kids the more fired up I get. The moron that lives next door to me was telling DH how $$ kids are. So DH comes to me like, WTF, we don't have that kind of money.

"People" don't realize how to LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS!! holy crap, nothing makes me more cranky. Take my favourite topic US gas prices. Guess what, I don't want to pay 3.80 a gal (I live in Ohio so thats cheap compared to Cali etc) so imagine this I DON'T BUY GAS!! "Have legs, will travel" is my motto. I have a trailer on my bike thats all I really need.

Same with kids. I don't need a stroller, I HATE strollers. Everyone keeps trying to talk me into them but he!! no. I'm really sick of people telling me "what I need" I don't need a car, I don't need a stroller (and PS my bike trailer coverts into a jogger if I so desire) I don't need a crib, they don't need their own room, I don't need bottles, I don't need anything NEW I am cool with second hand, actually I prefer it. I made my sling for under $5, I've been stockpiling thrift store baby clothes.

uhg, I'm done. Don't let anyone tell you how to lead your life mama, but in the same respect. You have to lead your life responsibly . If you have nowhere to live, nothing to eat, no job. Don't breed. If you are expecting someone else to step in and support you (parents gov't church) don't have kids. otherwise, knock your self out! I hope you have 30 happy bouncy babies (just not all at once)

[holidaymama]

I think the calculators are absurd! We have two boys, the first being a MAJOR surprise (we were 18). We made it through an undergrad degree while adding number 2, so obvioulsy we were poor and made it happen!

For starters, there are so many programs out there to help people who need help (not who wish to abuse but that's another thread) For instance, you can usually get a free carseat from your county office. Also, the WIC office will let you rent a breast pump (hospital grade) for free for as long as you want!!!!! I definitely took advantage of that with baby 2! And if you simply can't breastfeed...which nevermind that's another thread as well...WIC will provide formula as well...and whatever kind baby needs.

You are right...all the "stuff" you get with baby one, you really find out you don't need...and you can never tell first time moms this because they just don't listen

I didn't think we would have a second child for a long time so I got rid of all the "baby" stuff from number one. I did keep most all of his clothes though. So with baby two we bought a swing, carseat/stroller and a new crib.

Then....I thought I didn't want any more kids so we got rid of it all...although I don't feel bad because I gave it to other mommas that could really use it. But, now I am pretty sure I am not...I will NOT be giving anything away this time! I suppose we will get a new crib and carseat...and a nice sling. But that is pretty much it. I have cousins really close by and we all have children about the same age and two have babies less than a year and one is due in June, so there will be plenty of baby gear and clothes to pass around which is fabulous! And maternity clothes!

Thrift stores ROCK for clothing. Especially the ones that are just small business type...most even have maternity clothing.

Good Luck!

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by Periwinkle

For us, the actual cost estimators have been way low.

Oh, god I love your DCC.

And I like your post. I found it true. For us, babes were pretty much free, but I am sure I am spending more on expereinces, books, and education than anyone would like to imagine.


That doesn't include new cars (don't have any) or even food, (a lot of which we raise ourselves). We knew it would cost money to have kids, although that didn't deter us. Obviously.

[Smokering]

DD's only 8 weeks, so let me just list what we've been given:

--Enough clothes to last her until 6 months, plus a few 6-9 month clothes
--A very nice stroller and carseat
--An Ergo
--Nappy liners
--The labour of making cloth diapers (I bought the fabric,
Mum made the nappies, and made inners out of old terrycloth nappies)
--A cot, which she doesn't sleep in (we were offered two)
--A changing pad
--A bouncinette (we were offered two)
--Baby books
--More toys than she could possibly want!

I got enough sposies as free samples to last her entire newborn-sized 'going out for trips' career. In fact, I think she'll grow out of 'em before we use them up. I also got some free wet wipes, and a bunch of little free samply things like baby soaps and baby massage oil.

DO factor in pregnancy stuff, though. Clothes, new bras, takeaway craving food, folic acid, vitamins, RRL tea, whatever.

[Hellga]

well, looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer...our car broke today, and it's going to cost us around $1300 to either fix it, or get the ugly old car we've been offered. sigh.

we barely make that much in two months.

guess it's time to look for a real job.

[kapatasana]

I took DH to this AMAZING store we have in our town that sells "baby/kid stuff" all kinds of slings/carriers, tons of cloth diapering materials/kits, wooden and organic toys, adorable clothing (including a lot of super cheap consignment stuff), etc. etc. etc. to buy a shower gift and basically forced him to look a the cloth diapering stuff with me, lol. After we left I said "Doesn't it make you want one just a LITTLE?" And he said "Sometimes I do want one just a little, but being in that store made me want one LESS because it reminded me how expensive they are". ARRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!!! He then proceeded to tell me that when we have a kid we could never afford to cloth diaper. I quickly explained to him how much cheaper it is in the long run (and the ironic thing is, is that both of us had mothers who CD'd so I would think he would know) and I told him I didn't want us to have a crib or a stroller and that I wanted to breastfeed so that we would be saving a lot by doing things in a more natural way. He kind of got on board, but really I know the biggest thing is that we want at least one of us to have a steady job with insurance benefits and to move out of Western Michigan before we start TTC.
Anyway, I'm the type of person who buys a few high quility necessities that last a long time, and my husband is the type who buys TONS of cheap crap at discount places. He can't believe I'd spend $30 on lipstick (It lasted almost 2 years!) and I can't believe he'd spend $100 on cereal at Biglots (yup, that's 50 boxes of cereal, we did use them all eventually).