Babies Are Expensive
So I looked back to see where I have been and what I have written about (over the past three years or so), and I came across this gem: Babies are Expensive? from two years ago. I’ll make this post today and do a follow up on it tomorrow:
I asked Mrs. C8j for a topic, and she gave me this one. Well, no we are not complaining about the cost of baby C8j, but the expenses are there, let’s look at a few of them.
Formula: Well that’s about $11 for a 10 oz can of baby formula in powder form (it gets more expensive when you buy concentrate, and pre-made stuff is even more expensive). Right now the can lasts about 3 days, so let’s say $25.00 a week
Diapers: We buy them in a BOX (this is new, 10 years ago when we had our last child they only came in large bags). In Ottawa at the Loblaws the size baby uses is $43.00 for about 150 diapers, given baby uses 6 a day, that’s not too bad really.
Car Seat: First car seat cost us $129.00, but it is also a carrying seat, but he also hasn’t lasted too long in this, we plan on trying to sell it second hand to get some money back.
Car Seat (again): He now has a new one that he will be in for about 6 or 7 more years, this one cost $250.00, but again, amortized over 6 or 7 years, not too bad, I guess.
Crib: Got that second hand $100.00, but baby C8j is going to be the last (I promise, I have gone for my second vasectomy, first one didn’t work).
Stroller: You buy a Perago and that is about $350.00 at least. Some folks pay a lot more for these things that are SUV’s for babies.Clothing: That can add up, unless you have a lot of rich friends who buy clothes or a big family with LOTS of hand me downs.
High Chairs: That might cost about $200 that will get used for about 2-3 years.
Swing: That is about $179.00 or so, and swings are great to help baby get to sleep!
Exer-saucer: $75.00 or so, pretty cool though
Vibrating Chair: $65.00 he can sit in that, but was a gift.
Mobile: About $30.00University fund: Better start thinking, $1000 a year is a good idea!
First year total : Around $5000 or so, if you include clothing, and the University fund, and that is just the beginning folks!
Is it worth it? Every single penny!
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July 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Child care costs? That’s what makes it really expensive
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:25 PM
Do you mean Daycare? That’s a choice you make going back to work isn’t it?
–C8j
August 8th, 2007 at 9:19 AM
Using formula instead of breast feeding is a choice too, though as with having both parents working for some families it’s more of a necessity than a choice.
I disagree with the first commenter, though — child care costs are a shorter term pain for the longer term gain of having two incomes growing over time as well as mitigating the financial risk if a family is faced with one of the 4 Ds (divorce, or death, disability or downsizing striking the primary earner).
October 29th, 2007 at 6:15 PM
It’s really hard to take care of a baby. It’s not just money but also time to spend on them.