Several friends that are currently beginning to think about having kids asked me to give them a rough estimate of the costs. That got me thinking... so I sat down and put together a list of "necessities" and medical needs. My list included everything from a crib to ultrasounds, nursing needs to delivery room expenditures, maternity leave to maternity clothes. Yet, I left out anything that wasn't "needed" such as baby books and medical things that I didn't use such as an epidural and genetic testing.
After I added all of these things together (and I thought about making you guess the number), I discovered that Jayden cost just about $33,000 (!!!).
It was at this point that I posted the comment "Holy Crap Kids are Expensive!" on facebook and elicited the following responses (I really did think that the comments were funny... and I just had to share them here):
Rebecca: HAHAHAHA
Brittany: Did you get your hospital bills?
Debbie: In what way this time?
Rebecca: I honestly do not even remember a time without kids costs...
Keli: Just wait until you get my bill ;)
Denaye: Wait until you get an ER bill... :) It's a good thing we love them so much more than money. They are priceless.
Dustin: But tax deductable
Chris: Wait til Christmas
In all actuality, we ended up only spending about $5,000 on Jayden overall (which included a trip to the ER for me about a week after she was born and the cost of taking 5 weeks of unpaid maternity leave) because we were incredibly blessed by friends, family, our employers and two good medical insurance plans. We received so many great gifts and "hand-me-downs." We are eternally grateful to our friends, family, and employers!
So, I guess my answer to "How much does a baby cost?" is: "How good are your family and friends" AND "Are you humble enough to take, appreciate, and use 'Hand-me-downs?'" Truly, there is no possible way to be ready for the expenses of a baby without friends and family.
A Saturday With Seth - Part 1
14 hours ago
2 comments:
It would be interesting to consider how much a baby cost in a different country/culture. I almost feel like saying a baby cost $33K is like saying an average wedding costs $20-25K, since that was such an amazingly high number to me.
Also, the difference of cost between breastfeeding and formula feeding is huge, as well as going to a midwife versus the dr/hospital bill :-) Or if baby comes preemie, which blows by the $100K mark VERY quickly!
It is suprising how much things *can* cost compared to how they *do* cost!
Very true about the friends and family, and being practical about accepting hand-me-downs. Looking in Isabel's room, it's hard to find things that I bought. So thankful for friends and family! (now if only Mark would be okay with the little boy wearing pink we'd be set.)
Post a Comment