Cost To Raise a Child $226,920.00

(Posted by Dannytheman)

Some mornings as I peruse the morning news I come across something I feel the need to share with everyone.
This is one of those stories. You see I have 4 sons, and this article linked and quoted below really got my attention. Based on time value of money,
I have spent over $1,000,000 on my 4 sons.  One MILLION!!!  Well, maybe a little under considering my #3 and #4 sons are still home and under 17. These number also do not include any college, this is only up to 17 years of age.
So let me give you my thoughts and please feel to chime in with your thoughts.

Cost to Raise a Child

Below is the Government estimate and the writers story and calculation of her son's additional expense.

	USDA	Actual
Housing	$10,450	$6,560
Food	$3,200	$4,371
Transportation	$3,263	$1,096
Clothing	$1,238	$574
Health care	$1,238	$1,368
Child care & education	$4,450	$2,362
Other	$2,625	$980
Total	$26,463	$17,311

It is my feeling that this woman having only 1 kid, misses the real fun, don't you?

• Let's start on my housing costs. My wife and I bought a 3 bedroom when we started out, but after having 4 sons, we needed to move to a 4 bedroom.We wanted a 4 bedroom in a good school district. I know it costs my family more than 6500 per kid to live where we do. (But was a great choice) Add up all the lights and TVs I have to turn off all the time and then you understand why I buy Lotto tickets.
• She list her food as Food at $3,200.00?  Her son has not had any substantial growth spurt I must assume. There are times my wife shops on Thursday night and the kitchen shelves are bare by Saturday. A gallon of milk is almost 4 bucks, we go through 5 gallons a week. 20 bucks times 52 weeks? Over a grand a year and, oh, I don't drink milk. Then add in 100 bucks a month for school lunches.
• I mean she spends only $574.00 on clothing. I guess her son buys the bargain sneakers? After puberty the price goes up.
• Transportation costs are tough, but we pick up after baseball, football, soccer, basketball, movies, rec nights, early school drop offs.
  
• Health Care? I did mention I have sons, didn't I? Stitches, broken bones, sprains, crutches? My deductible is higher than her listed $1368.00. Bryn Mawr Emergency room personnel call me Danny.
  
• Education is tough, can I include the computer we needed to buy? The TI 84 Calculators? We did summer Camps.  Wayyyyyy more than $2362.
  

I remember talking with my brother in law about his 2 daughters and he spends way more in clothing and "other", so I think this government report is an average. I can tell you for sure that boys are cheaper than girls.