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Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to visit this site where I am going to be talking about parenthood costs. The benefits of being a parent and all the expected and unexpected costs of parenthood. Money is extremely important to have being a parent so your child can succeed and become everything you could hope for your own kid to try and accomplish!

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Planning for the costs of parenthood
The reason I chose this website was because not only is the imagery unique and amusing but this website discusses not just the cost of parenthood but how to plan for the costs of parenthood so your better prepared. Who doesn't love that stress free feeling of being prepared for something important?
Some crucial things to consider financially before parenthood are:
- Health Insurance
-Life and disability insurance for doctors
-Emergency fund
-First year expenses
-Cost to raise a child to the age of 18
-Work or stay home?
-College
-Estate planning
-Physician retirement planning
Again of course to know why these are important and to find out in greater detail what each point I have said above is about, click on the link below and find out more!

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Whether you are a parent or a grandparent, your new little bundle of joy will be "dear" in more ways than one. Here's how to plan for the financial to-dos and priorities of new (grand) parenthood.
Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are significant life events that require financial resources and planning. Of all of these, a new baby is one of the most joyful, as parents and grandparents share their hopes and dreams as the birth comes closer.

When planning for the financial aspects of parenthood, it's wise to be as proactive as possible. There are many expenses to consider, so take some time to consider the long-term implications of parenthood and put together a budget that will allow saving for future expenses.

Besides medical costs related to the pregnancy and delivery and equipping the nursery, there are also increased insurance needs, building an emergency fund, budgeting for expenses in the first few years, putting together and executing an estate plan, and starting a college fund while saving for retirement.

Here's an overview of some spending priorities and financial tasks to tackle before the baby arrives:

Health insurance

Has the couple determined how much having this baby will cost? They should review their health insurance policy and find out about deductibles, copays, and policy limits. Call the insurance company once you've decided on a doctor and a hospital to find out what is covered and what the final bill is likely to be. Hospitals can also provide this information.

Potential costs on the final bill for labor and delivery can include expenses such as deductibles for mother and baby, out-of-pocket hospitalization costs, and co-pays for doctor's visits and lab tests such as ultrasounds and amniocenteses. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey reported that the average expectant mother spent $1,148 in out of pocket medical expenses in 2009, the most recent data available. That's a 74% increase over the $661 cost in 2004.

Changes that are coming as part of the Affordable Health Care Act in 2014 should help cover some of these costs, as health plans will be required to cover 100% of the costs of many maternity-related services including screening for gestational diabetes and breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling.

One Year to an Organized Life with Baby: From Pregnancy to Parenthood, the Week-By-Week Guide to Getting Ready for Baby and Keeping Your Family by Regina Leeds and Meagan Francis offers information and checklists that help parents figure out what a policy will cover and what other health and pregnancy related costs are likely to be.

Life and disability insurance for doctors

With a baby in the picture, the health and ability to work of each parent is even more critical to family finances. Consider everyone's contribution to the household as well as what would happen if an accident or illness rendered one of the parents disabled or unable to work.

Check your employers' policies to see what coverage is available there. Discuss your benefit options with your financial advisor to see if there is a need for additional disability.

In terms of life insurance, each wage earner should have life insurance equal to six or seven times their annual income. A stay-at-home parent should have insurance to cover the cost of hiring someone to do the childcare, cleaning, and other services so the surviving parent can work.

Emergency fund

A prudent rule of thumb for an emergency fund is three to six months living expenses to protect against layoff or disability or some other financial disaster. If you don't have an emergency fund, start accumulating one right away.

First-year expenses

According to BabyCenter.com, the average family spends more than $8,000 the first year, both on ongoing expenses such as baby food and diapers and on one-time expenses to equip a nursery, etc. That excludes childcare expenses, which vary widely depending on the type of childcare and location.

Cost to raise a child to age 18

Every year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes a report "Expenditures on Children and Families" that reveals what it costs a family to raise a child through the age of 18.

The USDA projects that a high-income family, one with an income of more than $102,870, would spend $389,670. Here's how the spending breaks down:

Work or stay home?

A big issue for many expectant parents is whether both parents should work or one should stay home with the baby. Clearly, this goes beyond financial considerations. It's a big decision with important implications for the young family's future.

Your financial advisor can crunch the numbers to see how much it would cost for the second parent to work. But you might be surprised that once you factor in child care, transportation, taxes and - for exhausted working parents - a cleaning lady and meals out, how little income is left. One parent at home might just pay off.

On the other hand, making that choice could compromise the future career prospects of the at home parent, making it more difficult to secure employment commensurate with skills and education at a later date, so consider all the tradeoffs.

College

According to the latest figures from the College Board, the average cost to attend a four-year private college during the 2012-13 school year is $39,518, an increase of 4.2% percent over the previous year. The cost to attend a four-year public university is $17,860, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year. Of course, your new baby won't be entering college for another 18 years and few can forecast what college will cost so far out. There are a number of different ways to save for college and your financial advisor can help you explore the options and set a budget that can help the family - including grandparents - prepare for the expense.

Estate planning

At a minimum, consult an estate-planning attorney to create a will to name a guardian for the child. If extenuating circumstances exist - if the parents aren't married or there are children from a previous marriage-more elaborate estate planning measures might be necessary.

Physician Retirement Planning

Don't sacrifice your own financial security for the baby. Keep those retirement plan contributions rolling in, even it if means cutting back on college savings. Financial aid is available to college students - not retirees.

Copyright © 2013 by Horsesmouth, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Planning for the Cost of Parenthood | Larson Financial

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Whether you are a parent or a grandparent, your new little bundle of joy will be "dear" in more ways than one. Here's how to plan for the financial to-dos and priorities of new (grand) parenthood. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are significant life events that require financial resources and planning.

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The unexpected costs of parenthood

What I really enjoyed about this particular website is when it was published which is August 2nd 2018. This was important for me because its closer to todays actual date meaning the information is more relevant and real in a sense. So many things can change in such a short amount of time so its good to provide more recently published websites. Some of these unexpected costs of parenthood include:              -Special occasions
-Rewards and treats
-Childcare
-Increased bills
-Hobbies and toys
-Other costs
As per usual I have only provided a short version (quick glance) at what this website has to offer so go check it out if this has interested you in any way!

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Children are not cheap.

Whether your family is already growing, or if you are thinking of starting one soon, you have probably considered some of the obvious costs, such as private school and eventually, university. But what about those things that might not be so apparent?

Research from American Express demonstrates one of these expenses; birthdays. Each birthday before the age of 18, costs parents an average of £415. Over the course of 18 years, that equates to £7,470, for a single child. For parents of multiple children, the combined cost of birthdays is likely to be much higher.

And that's just part of the story...

What does raising a child cost?

According to Child Poverty Action Group, the average base cost of raising a child, born in 2017 to the age of 18, is £155,142 for a couple or £187,120 for a single parent.

Naturally, having children comes with increased living costs, that much should be obvious. But, there are a few costs which might surprise you, including:

1. Special occasions

We've covered the cost of birthdays, but that amount doesn't account for the costs of attending friends' birthday parties, which could include buying gifts and paying to go on a trip.

Once birthdays are out of the way, there are holidays to think about. Unfortunately, the Easter bunny and Santa are not going to foot the bill for presents and sweets, even if they do take the credit for bringing them!

2. Rewards and treats

Sometimes, you may want to treat your children to an event or activity outside of special occasions.

Whether it's a special meal, or a day trip, the cost of rewards and treats will soon add up. Of course, we're not suggesting that you stop giving your children these experiences, but it is important to keep track of the costs and ensure that your spending remains within budget.

3. Childcare

You may have factored professional childcare costs into your budget, but domestic childcare can also have hidden expenses. For instance, even if Grandma and Grandad can look after the little ones for free, you might still need to pay to get the kids to their house or give them some spending money if they go on a trip. They might seem like small amounts, but they can add up over the course of the year.

4. Increased bills

Even the most energy-savvy couple is likely to see their bills increase when they start a family. From getting up (and turning the lights on) at all hours of the night, to washing more clothes, running your home will take more energy, and thus, more money.

There are ways to reduce your energy bill, such as shopping around and finding the best supplier for your needs, but, overall, your outgoings are going to increase as the family grows up.

5. Hobbies and toys

Research from Halifax shows that the average amount spent on children's hobbies and leisure activities is £45.31 per month, that's £543.72 per year, or £9,786.96 over 18 years, on average.

Of course, some hobbies cost more than others, and there's no telling what your children will be interested in as they grow up. However, the cost of equipment, lessons and potentially uniforms can quickly add up over time; especially during the years where clothes need to be replaced on a regular basis.

Other costs

The report shows three quarters (75%) of parents have made one-off purchases that they had not planned for before having children. Among them:

32% have bought new furniture

29% needed to change their car

23% had to buy a bigger house

These expenses are much bigger than those mentioned previously and are more likely to be a one-off thing. However, the need for more space, or a bigger car is often unavoidable, but it needn't be unexpected.

The answer

If you are afforded the luxury of foresight, take advantage of that. Start planning as early as possible to make sure that everything is in place before starting a family. Of course, life doesn't always go to plan, but if you start preparing for family life as soon as you know that it is an eventuality, you will at least have a bit of preparation behind you, no matter when your family starts to grow.

If you already have children, time is of the essence. If you already have a financial plan in place, it may be a case of making some adjustments to redistribute your money and make sure everything is positioned to provide the best life for you and your family.

While making plans and ensuring that everything is in place to support your family as it grows, it is a great opportunity to make sure that you have a plan in place for the twists and turns of life. That includes illness, injury and death, all of which can have a huge impact on your family and household finances. Now is the time to make sure that your insurance, income cover and emergency fund are all in place and up to date.

If you have not yet considered financial advice or planning, there's no time like the present, so why not get in touch with us?

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The unexpected costs of parenthood | Otter Financial

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Children are not cheap. Whether your family is already growing, or if you are thinking of starting one soon, you have probably considered some of the obvious costs, such as private school and eventually, university. But what about those things that might not be so apparent?

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An Exclusive Family Finances Survey

I chose this particular website because it came with a exclusive family survey on the costs of parenthood instead of just talking about it. This website also provides INCREDIBLE and more advanced cognitive thinking on how to save more while being a parent. Some that where provided are:

-Get a handle on your debt

-Stick to your budget
-Lower your housing costs
-Start saving for your retirement and your kids college
Of course when looking over the website it will provide plenty of details on how to actually achieve these steps I have stated above.

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Raising a kid takes more than patience; it takes a ton of cash, too. Our exclusive survey uncovers how young families are footing the bill-and what you can do to stay on budget, defeat debt, and feel financially secure.

$304,480. That's the projected, inflation-adjusted cost to raise a kid until age 18. No wonder we're stressed about finances! Together with the National Endowment for Financial Education, Parents asked 454 millennial parents to come clean about cash flow. You did. More than one in three admitted that you should have waited longer to start a family, and almost half said money problems are stopping you from having another child. A shocking 51 percent of you would even trade a year off your lifespan to have greater financial security. Deep breath. There's still time to get it together-starting with our advice.

Finally Stick to Your Budget

61 percent of you have set up a monthly budget, but only half follow it. These tips will help you get back on track. Turn to these strategies if you've fallen off the budget wagon.

Go old-school. Try an envelope system in which you set monthly cash allowances for groceries, entertainment, and shopping, says Pam Horack, a certified financial planner with Pathfinder Planning LLC, in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Once the money's gone, you wait for the next cycle.

Expect the unexpected. If you spend every penny of your income, you won't have anything left in case the boiler breaks. Put away a set amount every paycheck. If nothing happens, hey, instant savings.

Spread out one-time expenses. The holidays are coming. Imagine how much easier it'd be to pay for gifts if you'd set aside a bit every month, notes Ben Wacek, a certified financial planner in Minneapolis. SmartyPig.com lets you create savings buckets for different goals and then set up automatic transfers to fund them over time.

Get a Handle on Your Debt

57 percent of you have $5,000 or more in debt, excluding your mortgage, and 18 percent owe $25,000 or more. Only 12 percent of you are blissfully debt-free. What can you do about it? We're glad you asked.

Start small. Focus on paying off the debt with the lowest balance first. Then proceed to the next smallest, and so forth, says Ellie Kay, author of Living Rich for Less. You'll gain momentum as the list shrinks.

Solve your debt crisis. Throw every resource you have into tackling your credit obligations. Work a side job, have a yard sale, take in Airbnb boarders. "And make lifestyle changes to minimize your expenses so you can pay off your debt as quickly as possible," says Horack.

​How One Mom Did It: "My husband and I paid off $127,482 in four years. We found extra work, learned how to use coupons, made our own laundry detergent, ditched the landline and cable, and filtered every purchase through a want vs. need matrix." Cherie Lowe, 39, mom of two and founder of the Queen of Free blog; Indianapolis

Lower Your Housing Costs

35 percent of you spend at least half your gross income on housing. This may be unavoidable if you live in an expensive urban area, though there are cost-reducing options.

Refinance If you're paying at least 5 percent interest on your home mortgage, have a credit score of 670 or above (which is considered good by lenders), and plan to live in your home five years or longer, it may be beneficial to reduce your monthly payment by refinancing to a lower rate (at press time the current average was 3.46 percent). Use Zillow's Refinance Calculator to crunch the numbers and decide.

Downsize Think about whether your family could live with less square footage or a slightly longer commute. "I have parent friends who bought a large home and later decided, 'We don't need this much house,'" Wacek says.

Start Saving for Your Retirement and Your Kid's College

41 percent of young parents have yet to start saving for retirement.

Even factoring in Social Security, you'll need to save ten times your annual income to cover your retirement needs, says John Sweeney, executive vice president of retirement and investing strategies at Fidelity Investments in Boston. And then there's college: The projected cost of a four-year degree at an in-state public university starting in 2030 is $166,818, according to FinAid's College Cost Projector. Yet 46 percent of young parents aren't currently setting aside funds for their child's higher education. Get going!

Start with retirement. Your kid can always work or get a college loan (or both), so aim to invest at least 10 percent of your income toward your golden years. If need be, start smaller and bump up your contribution rate every six months until you get there.

Open a 529. This college-savings plan allows your earnings to grow tax-free as long as you use the funds for qualified education expenses. Many states also provide a tax break (log on to savingforcollege.com for more info). Even if you can't fund it regularly, you can earn Upromise dollars by registering eligible credit, debit, and grocery cards.

​How One Mom Did It: "I'm putting 8 percent from every paycheck into my Roth 401(k) and increasing it by 1 percent per year. We've had to cut back on vacations. We don't have cable and rarely eat out. But I feel good that I have a long-term plan." Jennifer Markowski, 37, mom of two; West Deptford, New Jersey

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The Price of Parenthood: An Exclusive Family Finances Survey

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Raising a kid takes more than patience; it takes a ton of cash, too. Our exclusive survey uncovers how young families are footing the bill-and what you can do to stay on budget, defeat debt, and feel financially secure. $304,480. That's the projected, inflation-adjusted cost to raise a kid until age 18.

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Ways to whittle down the costs of parenthood
Some ways you can lower the costs of parenthood are to buy used clothes, limits snacks and toys, save money on entertainment and babysitters, buy less house than you can financially afford, get your children outdoors, use your public library, save on daycare and diapers and formula, buy used when you can, limit dining out, haggle for a used care, watch out for school related money drains and buy food in bulk. The list goes on when you check out this website and it also not only provides greater detail on how to do these things but also provides which ages your children are and how to save money at that particular age and this is why I chose this website.

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You may have heard that the cost to raise a child to the age of 18 have surged to a staggering $233,610. That's according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who has meticulously tracked the prices of everything from housing to healthcare and childcare throughout the years.

If you don't have kids, this statement probably sounds preposterous - or even impossible. If you do have kids, on the other hand, you're likely keenly aware of just how realistic this outrageous, nearly quarter-of-a-million-dollar figure is.

Between paying for a larger home to make room for extra bedrooms, a bigger car to haul your kids (and their gear) around, more food, childcare bills, clothing, school supplies, and the crazy costs of kids' sports, it may even be surprising that it doesn't cost more to raise your little ones.

How to Save on Raising Kids Every Step of the Way

But, here's the thing: The numbers from the USDA and other organizations are just averages. Depending on a wide range of factors such as where you live and your spending style, you could pay a whole lot more - or a lot less - to cover the costs of child-rearing to age 18.

If you live in an expensive city like San Francisco, you can only imagine how your housing costs would dwarf those of someone living in St. Louis, for example. And if you're the type of parent who buys their kids designer clothes and a new car on their 16th birthdays, well, you should plan on forking over more than most.

Of course, the opposite is also true. If you're conscious about the way you spend on your kids, you could easily whittle down the costs of raising them - maybe even by a lot. And the changes don't have to be drastic, either; changing some of your small, repetitive spending habits for the better can lead to huge savings over time.

To find out how to save money while raising kids in every age group, we reached out to parenting and frugality bloggers who have mastered the art of raising a family on a budget. Some of their best tips are included below.

Saving Money on Newborns Through Age 5

If you have young children or you're about to start a family, you may have heard that raising babies is a pricey affair. There are certain costs you only face when kids are young, such as diapers, formula, and the sky-high price tag of newborn daycare. Plus, there's all the gear to buy upfront - the strollers, cribs, high chairs, bouncy seats, and car seats.

But, there are ways to save on every aspect of having small kids, says money coach and blogger Jessi Fearon, who lives with her husband and three children - ages 5, 4, and 2 - near Atlanta. We'll start off with some of Fearon's favorite ways to save on little kids:

Buy used clothes.

Fearon says she and her husband have made a conscience decision to avoid buying new clothes. Instead, they attend clothing swaps at church and shop consignment sales and Goodwill. "Our boys can tear up clothes faster than you can say 'don't do it,' so for us, purchasing them something new makes no sense because it'll be destroyed or stained up before they've even worn them in."

Limit snacks.

Fearon and her husband have adopted the French model of feeding by only allowing her kids one snack time per day. While the change was hard to implement, she feels it's worth it. "The issue we had been having was that our children wouldn't eat all their dinner, but then would be hungry come bedtime. But once we switched to only one snack time a day, they actually started eating all of their dinner." As an added bonus, this change also led to less food waste at dinner time (saving money) and lower snack spending over all.

Limit toys, too.

"Hands down, toys are the biggest thing that I see parents overspend on," Fearon says. Fearon says she gives her kids money for savings instead of toys on their birthdays, and they only get one toy for Christmas. "This saves us a ton of money and saves our sanity when it comes to managing all of the toy chaos."

Save on entertainment and babysitters.

It's easy to overspend on fancy outings with the kids, says Rosemarie Groner, the blogger behind The Busy Budgeter. Groner, who lives with her husband and kids - ages 2 and 5 - in North Carolina, says they keep it simple and look for free stuff to do. They buy a year-round family membership to their local aquarium for $80, for example, frequently have play dates with friends, and take turn hosting dinners with other families rather than paying for everyone to eat out. And when it comes to babysitters, they "swap" babysitting nights with other families instead of hiring someone.

Buy less house than you can afford.

We talk about the benefits of buying a smaller house all the time here at The Simple Dollar. When it comes to housing, Groner says they thought long-term and bought a house that was well under their budget but offered room to grow. "For us, that meant moving to a cheaper neighborhood with better schools," she says.

Don't buy every gadget in the world.

Blogger Chelsea Brennan of Mama Fish Saves says one of the biggest ways she and her husband have saved on their 22-month-old son and baby on the way is by not buying every last gizmo and gadget.

"We keep the costs of parenthood down by never buying anything as soon as we perceive our son might need it," says Brennan. "For instance, with teethers, when he was popping a tooth we would try to give him cold washcloths or a carrot from the fridge for a few days. If he still seemed like he needed something after that, we would look on local giveaway groups or give in to Amazon."

Brennan says that, over the past two years, they've realized most "needs" dissipate after a few days and their son is generally happy with Tupperware, spoons, sticks, and books for toys.

Get the kids outdoors.

Eric Rosenberg, the blogger behind Personal Profitability and the father of two girls ages 2 and one month, says he cringes when he sees parents buy young kids new electronics and too many fancy toys. Kids are only young once, and you may be setting them up for bad habits later on if you don't set the stage for creative play.

"Keep them away from screens as much as you can, and save money with fun backyard playtime and play dates with other kids," he says. From playgrounds to sledding hills, there's probably plenty of free outdoor fun in your area.

Use your library.

We're relentless advocates of public libraries, of course, and they're especially helpful when you have young children. Use your local library to beef up your book and DVD collection with more variety, and check the calendar for free story times and other kid's programming that can help entertain your little ones.

Save on diapers and formula.

There are too many ways to save on diapers and formula to count. One of the best ways is to buy generic brands if you can. Both Walmart and Target have quality diaper and formula brands you can try for huge savings over time. Of course, you can also try Amazon Subscribe and Save to get diapers delivered at a discount.

Buying in bulk can also help you save on diapers and formula. If you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership, see if you can save by stocking up with each trip to the store.

Also, don't forget you can use cloth diapers instead of store bought. You'll save money and reduce landfill waste at the same time.

Save on daycare.

This tip comes from yours truly. My kids are 6 and 8 now, but I saved a bundle by avoiding the pricey daycares available in our city. Instead of going with a daycare center that would set us back $300 or more per week, I chose small in-home daycare centers run by people I trusted. I was happy with the care our kids received, and I felt the amount I paid over time was fair.

Buy used when you can.

Remember when we talked about the outrageous costs of baby gear? The good news is, you can buy most of it used. You may not want to buy a used car seat unless it's from someone you know and less than seven years old, but it's totally reasonable to buy used swings, baby bouncers, and strollers. Buy from people you know, from Facebook groups, or from Craigslist, and you'll save a bundle.

Saving Money on Kids Age 5-11

Saving on school-age kids isn't an easy feat, but it can be done. And a lot of the tips for babies apply here, too. You can keep on buying used clothing for kids in school, either from consignment shops, people you know, or Facebook groups, for example. And if you're able to avoid moving up to a huge house just because you have kids, you'll save on housing costs, too.

Here are some of the best ways to save on kids when they're out of diapers but not quite ready for high school:

Avoid pricey kids' sports.

One of the most important ways we've saved on our children is by limiting their sports to one per child. They each take gymnastics right now, and this particular sport doesn't require fancy uniforms or more than a few practices per week. Since there are no games or "meets," we also save by not traveling or having to spend our weekends going to and from sports activities.

Don't "keep up with the Joneses."

Jim, who blogs at Route to Retire and has a seven-year-old daughter, says one of the biggest money pitfalls he sees in his area is too many people trying to keep up with the spendy habits of their neighbors.

"Parents want their kids to be happy, but a good majority of them thinks that money is the way to make that happen," he says. "Spending big money on toys and gadgets, big birthday extravaganzas, and exorbitant Christmas presents is the norm around here." He and his wife try to keep things simple and avoid spending to keep up with others, he says.

Limit dining out.

Fast food or takeout can be an easy way to get dinner on the table when you're busy running school-age kids around, says Jim. But that convenience comes with costs - to both your wallet and your health.

To save money and perhaps your children's health in the future, make home-cooked meals instead as often as possible. For busy parents, have lots of posts on crock pot and freezer meals you can make ahead of time if you need ideas.

Buy the big stuff used.

Blogger Monica Louie says she and her husband have saved a bundle by not overspending on the "big stuff."

When it was time for her son to graduate to a toddler bed so his baby sister could have the crib, she found a fun fire truck bed for only $25 on Craigslist, she says. A couple years later, they sold that same bed for $25 to someone else on Craigslist.

"When our daughter graduated to a 'big girl bed' so her baby cousin could have the crib, we were able to get a nice trundle bed from a neighbor for free on NextDoor," Louie says.

Harness your childcare savings.

One thing that generally does get cheaper after age 5 is childcare: If your kid goes to public school, a once-hefty pre-K bill simply vanishes, possibly freeing up hundreds of dollars a month. Resist the urge to splurge with that newfound money, and try socking it away for big-kid expenses instead or putting it toward a 529 college savings plan.

Saving Money on Kids Age 12 and Up

Junior high and high school seem to be a big point of contention when it comes to saving money. School activities and sports tend to peak during these years, leading to higher costs than ever. And, possibly for the first time, kids start to care more about what they wear and whether it's used or not.

Not only that, but kids become more independent and tend to need more spending cash. They may also want to drive, which means higher insurance costs for you and potentially the costs of a car.

Here are some of the best ways to save during the teen years from frugal bloggers in the know:

Buy used sporting equipment when you can.

Miranda Marquit, a money expert who also writes for Student Loan Hero, has a 15-year-old son who's into many sports and activities. Marquit believes his activities are worth it since they'll help him get into college later. As a result, she doesn't want to limit his activities for the sake of frugality. Instead, Marquit says she buys used sports equipment when she can - specifically fencing equipment for her son.

Haggle for a used car.

While having a car in high school is a privilege, not a right, Marquit felt that her son needed a reliable, used car to get to sports and activities. As a result, she haggled to score a 20-year-old car on the cheap, and she uses it to teach her son some valuable money lessons. "He's responsible for gas, so he looks to do odd jobs and pay for some of his own costs," she says.

Make kids earn their own spending money.

Once kids are old enough to get a part-time job or babysit, it may be time to let them start paying some of their own expenses. Marquit has used this strategy to teach her son about the importance of money while also keeping the costs of parenthood down.

"He knows that he's responsible for entertainment, lunch with his friends, and other costs," she says, adding that "the key is to sit down and be clear about expectations."

"I know that we're more fortunate than others in terms of resources, but we still look to be as frugal as possible," says Marquit.

Watch out for school-related money drains.

Liz Gendreau, who blogs at Chief Mom Officer and has three kids ages 14, 10, and 2, says school expenses tend to be absurd for her 10-year-old - and that they can sneak up on you if you're not careful.

"Every week it seems his school is sending home pamphlets on fundraisers, things to buy, and the PTO is trying to get us to buy a special 'fifth grade package' that's filled with things we don't want or need," she says. "Interestingly I've found that this stopped when my oldest son hit middle school. I resist the pressure by simply not giving in to any of these."

Buy food in bulk.

When you have lots of kids, buying in bulk can be a big money-saver, says Gendreau. This is especially true when it comes to staple items your family eats all the time.

"We do most of our food shopping at warehouse clubs, where we can also pick up diapers at a good price. We buy meat in bulk from either Costco, a local butcher shop, or at the stores when we find unbeatable sales," she says.

Gendreau also notes that they have a deep freezer in the basement where they freeze meat and extra goods purchased at the warehouse clubs. She notes that having lots of staples on hand reduces their shopping trips and helps them save money.

Resist the pricey electronics.

As kids get older, everything they want tends to cost more. Nowadays it seems like every kid has a smartphone or an iPad or a brand new video game system - or perhaps all of these things and more. Gendreau says limiting these big splurge purchases is one way they've kept their spending under control as their kids have gotten older.

"We have conversations about how when you wait, these things drop in price and more games become available," she says. Their eldest child is old enough to understand that, and has learned patience and delayed gratification. "These are skills that will serve him well as an adult."

The Bottom Line

Kids are costly, but most parents would agree they're worth it. But like everything else in life, spending more won't guarantee you a better experience. If you want to have children affordably, it pays to think through how you spend your money and when. With enough smart money moves, having kids could actually be a bargain.
Holly Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer and the author of Related Articles: How do you save on your kids? What would you add to this list? Zero Down Your Debt. Johnson shares her obsession with frugality, budgeting, and travel at ClubThrifty.com.

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Raising a Kid Costs How Much? Ways to Whittle Down the Costs of Parenthood - The Simple Dollar

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You may have heard that the cost to raise a child to the age of 18 have surged to a staggering $233,610. That's according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who has meticulously tracked the prices of everything from housing to healthcare and childcare throughout the years.

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Pros and Cons of Parenthood

This video is unique because its a parent talking about her own experiences regarding the positives and negatives of being a parent thus, why I picked it. Not only just a regular parent BUT a teen parent.  I think its extremely valuable to know not JUST the costs of being a parent but also other important responsibilities as well. Its refreshing to have a "guest speaker" kind of situation for a video because its the reality of everything and not just an animated video and voice. This video is raw and real. So be prepared to be shocked by some of these pros and cons this young lady provides!

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11 signs your ready to have a kid
Some very important signs that will predict whether or not your finally ready to have a kid. We obviously can't predict everything but these are rough idea to go by!

1.  It's a mutual decision

2. Knowing a baby will not solve family problems

3.  It's a baby not a perfect role model

4.  Be realistic about your abilities

5.  Don't change your life to someone's standards

6.  Correctly evaluate possible future troubles                     Watch this video below to find out the rest of the signs and in greater detail

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11 Signs You’re Finally Ready to Have a Kid

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Why are kids so expensive?
You ever wonder why children are so expensive? I definitely have and this is exactly why I chose this particular video as it get straight to the point. Well I certainly have and this short 4 minute video talks all about it! I mean if you want your child to succeed then they usually will cost you lots of money. An interesting fact is that researchers have found that more than 1 to 10 adults are still living at home with their parents at the age of 40! Isn't that shocking?? Its said that it will cost 233,610 dollars (this doesn't include college tuition) to raise a child today to the age of 22. Thats a very harsh reality to come to terms with in deciding if you want to be a parent or not. Watch the video below to find out more.

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Why Are Children So Expensive? - The Challenges of Raising a Child Today

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You will struggle with bills (unless your extremely well off financially) but ideally thats not always the case for 80 percent of us. Although there are a lot of money struggles just look at that little boy or girls face you love and try to tell me its not worth it.

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Honestly I chose this image because attending Planned Parenthood is very wise instead of "winging it" like a lot (especially young parents) tend to do. Your skills and responsibility level reflects on how your child behave and act. It's extremely important to know what your about to be getting into to be the best parent you can be FOR your child's/children's sake.

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Costs of being a parent
This video goes into some of reasons why you should still be a parent even though its expensive! A Dr. James Dobson talks about how being a parent takes sacrifice and maybe a few tears but its worth it and we all know nothing worth having comes cheap! He talks from personal experience being a father himself and how there is nothing greater than staring into the eyes of a newborn child (in his case a baby girl). Than five years later having ANOTHER child (a boy). What reward is more meaningful than having a boy or girl crawl onto your lap that YOU MADE with someone you love deeply. There love is pure, meaningful and never ending!

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1. What did you learn about the topic that most surprised you?
The overall biggest thing about this topic that surprised me was exactly HOW expensive one kid is roughly without paying for college. I figured it was a lot but my guess wasn't even close to 233,610 dollars like thats INSANE. Knowing this has kinda actually made me not want to have children now unless I really can afford it.

2. Provide a real-life example of how this topic is relevant or interesting for you.
This is relevant for ALL individuals with or without kids because this is important knowledge to keep, share and use. I strongly believe this is very important and everyone should know it. Take me for example I don't have kids but learning all this has helped me better understand if and when I should have kids. I am very grateful I chose such a interesting and useful topic.

3. If you could pass on your knowledge to a family member or friend, what do you think is the most important thing to pass on?
I believe all of this knowledge is VERY important but if I had to attempt to narrow it down I would choose two and those two things I would pass on would be how much a child roughly costs and information on attending planned parenthood (I didn't know that existed)