The cost of having a kid

dynamited

How much do babies really set you back


All my friends are having them but yet complain they have no money because of kids to go on holidays etc


Some say it's not that expensive others say the opposite all of my friends who have them aren't high earners, I always thought a couple would need to earn at least 80k per year to raise 1-2 children either that or join the pyjama brigade but that is not an option

UCDVet

Children don't come with a price tag...generally speaking, the money you have, the more money you'll spend on them.

nc19

dynamited wrote: »

How much do babies really set you back


All my friends are having them but yet complain they have no money because of kids to go on holidays etc


Some say it's not that expensive others say the opposite all of my friends who have them aren't high earners, I always thought a couple would need to earn at least 80k per year to raise 1-2 children either that or join the pyjama brigade but that is not an option

I dont think there is a set amount. It depends on how much you spend. If you're buying top of the range clothing etc then it costs a lot. I have a 3 yr old and other than food and childcare the only extra costs are birthdays and xmas and anything you want to spend money on to entertain them

anncoates

Millions.

splashthecash

dynamited wrote: »

How much do babies really set you back


All my friends are having them but yet complain they have no money because of kids to go on holidays etc


Some say it's not that expensive others say the opposite all of my friends who have them aren't high earners, I always thought a couple would need to earn at least 80k per year to raise 1-2 children either that or join the pyjama brigade but that is not an option

It's not that expensive, as long as your home is filled with love, patience and compassion.....and the Disney channel

AlmightyCushion

Just turn their bedroom into a sweat shop and get them making shoes and purses all day. Then they'll more than pay for themselves.

The J Stands for Jay

The main cost is childcare. Which you don't need in the pajama brigade

Littlekittylou

dynamited wrote: »

How much do babies really set you back


All my friends are having them but yet complain they have no money because of kids to go on holidays etc


Some say it's not that expensive others say the opposite all of my friends who have them aren't high earners, I always thought a couple would need to earn at least 80k per year to raise 1-2 children either that or join the pyjama brigade but that is not an option

I couple I know had twins recently. He works in a good job. She couldn't do what she did in her own country here because it's health related and she needed approval by the HSE. And she wanted to be a stay at home mother and no creche would take no born twins. And yes it's expensive. Particularly prenatal and post natal care in Ireland compared to where she is from.

They are a happy couple though. And great parents. I am content to live frugally for the sake of kids if I had them but I would not want to struggle.

I feel for them because they had budgeted apparently for one baby then bam twins.

But I would not do it unless I was in a position to.

Imagine though TWINS!

cletus van damme

Honestly it's most just cutting into your luxury budget.
My budget for coke and hookers is now spent on kids. Most people still afford the car; food , house and some social activity anyway.
I don't know anybody who is actually empoverished solely by having kids.

twinytwo

to put this into perspective..... go into your local shop and price a bag of nappies.... just nappies forget everthing else.... then consider that you will prob neet 2/3 bags a week

Conall Cernach

Think of the savings for your geriatric care though. Take that kids.

Backspinswerve

dynamited wrote: »

How much do babies really set you back


All my friends are having them but yet complain they have no money because of kids to go on holidays etc


Some say it's not that expensive others say the opposite all of my friends who have them aren't high earners, I always thought a couple would need to earn at least 80k per year to raise 1-2 children either that or join the pyjama brigade but that is not an option

I pay 1300 per month on creche fees for two kids for 4 days per week and that's with a government subsidy.

o1s1n

Littlekittylou wrote: »

I couple I know had twins recently. He works in a good job. She couldn't do what she did in her own country here because it's health related and she needed approval by the HSE. And she wanted to be a stay at home mother and no creche would take no born twins. And yes it's expensive. Particularly prenatal and post natal care in Ireland compared to where she is from.

They are a happy couple though. And great parents. I am content to live frugally for the sake of kids if I had them but I would not want to struggle.

I feel for them because they had budgeted apparently for one baby then bam twins.

But I would not do it unless I was in a position to.

Imagine though TWINS!

That happened to my folks when I was growing up.

I was an only child until I was 8.

Mam sits me down to explain she's going to have twins. To the absolute shock of everyone!

Was insane going from an only child to having two babies in the house.

They rob all my booze these days

Tasden

Depends really.
If you're renting an apartment and then decide to have a kid and need to move to a house with more space then your rent will probably be higher than before kids. If you don't have a kid you can rent a room in shared accommodation. Things like that change if you factor in kids.
If you're a single person with little money you can just freeze and not have any heating costs. Can't really do that with a kid. Same with food, if money is tight without kids you can live on those cheap bags of pasta. You have to feed kids proper food.
Childcare if you wanna work full time.
Formula if you cant/won't breastfeed- 7/8 bottles a day i think. Can't remember the cost of the tins.
Clothes cause they grow fast.
Nappies.
School contributions/books/uniforms etc. Schools are always looking for money for one thing or another as well.

Chucken

Backspinswerve wrote: »

I pay 1300 per month on creche fees for two kids for 4 days per week and that's with a government subsidy.

Thats the price of a holiday every month :eek: Whats the point?

The Backwards Man

Probably the only time I get to post Melba in AH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMxXeCv6DA

Backspinswerve

Chucken wrote: »

Thats the price of a holiday every month :eek: Whats the point?

Otherwise either myself or the wife would have to give up work and we are still better off financially with the kids in creche than not.

marketty

I think the real cost in having kids is the opportunity cost. Much harder to go back to college, take a cut in salary when changing career for better long term prospects, emigration is harder, even moving within the country. None of these things are impossible obviously, just harder financially/emotionally when you have a kid or 3. So you may find yourself worse off in the long term through missed opportunities.
On a day to day basis I'm sure I'd cope if I sprogged one out

Chucken

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Probably the only time I get to post Melba in AH

Hopefully

dynamited

cletus van damme wrote: »

Honestly it's most just cutting into your luxury budget.
My budget for coke and hookers is now spent on kids. Most people still afford the car; food , house and some social activity anyway.
I don't know anybody who is actually empoverished solely by having kids.

I'd rather stick to coke and hookers than changing nappies tbh

About three fiddy

dynamited

rarnes1 wrote: »

About three fiddy

Knew it was coming


Bravo

SaveOurLyric

Dont worry about the €80k. The real cost isnt monetary.
Its the irreparable damage to the planet and consumption of its limited resourses where the real price is paid.
Having a child is the most unenvironmentally friendly thing you can do, selfish, and contributes to the ruination of the planet.

Backspinswerve

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Dont worry about the €80k. The real cost isnt monetary.
Its the irreparable damage to the planet and consumption of its limited resourses where the real price is paid.
Having a child is the most unenvironmentally friendly thing you can do, selfish, and contributes to the ruination of the planet.

There's always one:rolleyes:

anncoates

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Dont worry about the €80k. The real cost isnt monetary.
Its the irreparable damage to the planet and consumption of its limited resourses where the real price is paid.
Having a child is the most unenvironmentally friendly thing you can do, selfish, and contributes to the ruination of the planet.

I DIDN'T ASK TO BE BORN

eviltwin

A lot and they only cost more as they get older. I've one leaving school this year and that is a massive financial burden in comparison to the 5 yr old. But its worth it. We have feck all money now for ourselves and everything we do has to be planned down to the last cent but I wouldn't be without them.

SaveOurLyric

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Dont worry about the €80k. The real cost isnt monetary.
Its the irreparable damage to the planet and consumption of its limited resourses where the real price is paid.
Having a child is the most unenvironmentally friendly thing you can do, selfish, and contributes to the ruination of the planet.

Let me guess. You're typing this on a laptop made from wood and is powered by a wind turbine

Arciphel

Sweet Jesus! I read a study once that it cost about €240k by the time they finish third level education.

foxy farmer

He (and she) who dipeth his wick must payeth for the oil!
Think of it as a second mortgage.

SaveOurLyric

rarnes1 wrote: »

Let me guess. You're typing this on a laptop made from wood and is powered by a wind turbine

iameco in Rathfarnham do them. Very nice they are. They do require a power lead though.

seventeen sheep

I find that the child benefit pretty much covers formula and nappies. Clothes and other expenses aren't extortionate.

Creche fees are the killer, though. €1,049 per month for us. It's like paying rent twice over.

homerjay2005

it depends on many factors -

a healthy child
whether or not you need a bigger/more expensive house for the child
whether or not the mother (normally) needs to give up work to look after the child.

if you can overcome the above 3 things, then children are nowhere near as expensive as is being made out, i would say about €3,000 to €5,000 a year of which €1500 is already paid by the state.

the rest depends on how much you spend on birthdays, at christmas and how much you actually can afford to spend.

off the top of my head, i would say about €250-€300 for clothes, shoes etc etc, €300 for sports/social activities, €200 for school uniform and school fees so thats €1000 for activities outside of the household cots.

anncoates

Arciphel wrote: »

Sweet Jesus! I read a study once that it cost about €240k by the time they finish third level education.

These kind of statistics are pointless.

I'm sure the amount you pay for anything from jacks roll to electricity looks high over 20 years.

Kids are expensive in some ways but not that bad plus the alteration in your lifestyle tends to even it out somewhat. Plus your earnings are not always static and it's reasonable to assume your earnings are higher when your kids really start costing money later on.

happypants

Six months in, having a baby hasn't been as expensive as I thought it would, if you're mindful and shop around you can keep costs down. Our baby is healthy (touch wood) so we haven't had to fork out for dr fees. We got gifted (my mam bought our biggest expense which was a pram) or borrowed lots of things needed for new baby, crib etc. Baby is growing fairly rapidly so we have been buying baby vests and sleepsuits every 3 months which only costs about €50. We got mountains of outfits, jackets and knitted cardigans as gifts so she's dressed for the next few months for occasions. Dunnes/ Tesco/ boots often have two for one on large pack of nappies so can cost about €20 a month or amazon is good for nappies and wipes too. Food is formula which costs €10 a week, homemade fruit and veg purées don't cost much to make a week either. When I go back to work Im part time and work shift so we have our parents or my sister watch baby for a few hours here and there. Generally a lot of my hours are weekend overnights etc and when baby daddy is off.

We are managing the baby phase of parenting cheaply enough because I'm strict with myself. I have to keep remembering I'm on maternity leave so can't go mental shopping for baby clothes etc. As baby gets older everything is only gonna get more expensive. I dread the school going age for costs, my sister spends a fortune on books and uniform every year!

Menas

If you have to ask, you cant afford one.
Put it a different way, kids are much more expensive than birth control.

But I would not be without mine (Incase you read this in 10 years time son)

AnonoBoy

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Dont worry about the €80k. The real cost isnt monetary.
Its the irreparable damage to the planet and consumption of its limited resourses where the real price is paid.
Having a child is the most unenvironmentally friendly thing you can do, selfish, and contributes to the ruination of the planet.

That reminds me. ... Utopia got cancelled didn't it?

strobe

twinytwo wrote: »

to put this into perspective..... go into your local shop and price a bag of nappies.... just nappies forget everthing else.... then consider that you will prob neet 2/3 bags a week

E5.99 apparently... x3 = ... 14.97 a week, they're not the cheapest ones though. Am I missing something?

Menas

strobe wrote: »

E5.99 apparently... x3 = ... 14.97 a week, they're not the cheapest ones though. Am I missing something?

If you are buying your nappies in your local shop then you are missing something!
Lidl all the way for nappies, saves a fortune.

cletus van damme

dynamited wrote: »

I'd rather stick to coke and hookers than changing nappies tbh

If I was honest , there are times when I think the same :pac:

PizzamanIRL

A child is for life, not just until they stop being cute.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

twinytwo wrote: »

to put this into perspective..... go into your local shop and price a bag of nappies.... just nappies forget everthing else.... then consider that you will prob neet 2/3 bags a week

2.29 in aldi, and their nappies won some type of consumer award. €6.87/week :eek: I'd make the little sh1t factory waddle around nude!

Macavity.

Expensive fuckers.