When we got married a little over two years ago, there were many people out there who told us we were too young, too immature, too poor. The latter of the three always seemed to find a way into the conversation.
"Are you sure you have enough money?"
"Have you started thinking about investing in a Roth IRA?"
"What's your favorite flavor of Cup-o-Noodles?"
But the wisest words I have heard concerning money came from my father "You will never have enough." He is completely right. If you wait to get married, to have kids, to whatever until you have money you will be waiting all your life.
I'm sure there is nothing like holding that first little bundle of joy, spending several, expensive nights in the hospital waiting for doctors to let you take the little guy home. But from how I understand it all, you might well just throw a duffle bag of hundred dollar bills into the trash compacter, because that is what is about to happen to you.
Take a look at this wonderful piece of information:
"Lynne Ticknor Bankrate.com --According to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it costs a middle-income family $250,000 to raise a child from birth to age 17. And that doesn't include the cost of a college education. In the first year alone, the costs of a baby can reach between $9,000 and $11,000, and most new and expectant parents don't realize the size of the financial burden they are taking on. "Most people are more focused on the schedule disruptions and the exhaustion they will be facing," says Brette McWhorter Sember, a retired lawyer and author of "Your Practical Pregnancy Planner: Everything You Need to Know About the Financial and Legal Aspects of Preparing for Your New Baby" (McGraw-Hill, 2005). "
Come again?! Did you say $11,000 in the first year?! That's like you own a business and have hired on your new baby as a part time worker. And to make it worse this part time worker just sits around all day, takes a long lunch break, naps during working hours, speaks a foreign language, and cries when it gets mad. This is not the type of worker you hire.
Now, please don't call the Child Labor Board. I am being facetious, but let's get real.
Diapers.
Clothes.
Passies.
Diapers.
Blankies.
Bottles.
Fake milk.
Diapers.
Car seat.
Another car seat, in case the first one doesn't work.
Toys.
Diapers.
Have you even left the hospital yet?
I think you get my point. These little bundles of joy are expensive.
I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. People know kids are expensive. So for all of you out there who have/are having kids let me give you a few money saving tips for the first few years of your child's life.
1) Don't spend money on shoes
Come on people. Buying your baby a pair of replica Jordan Airs is not practical. Sure the little penny loafers may look really cute, but here's a little fact for you: BABY'S CAN'T WALK.
2) Why buy clothes when you can just get the kid a pancho?
Our neighbors to the south had the right idea with the pancho. Unisex attire, hard to out grow. If baby panchos make an appearance I wan't a cut.
3) Educational DVD's?
You can't go to Wal-Mart without seeing this entire aisle of educational DVD's. I know there has been studies done about children being educationally stimulated by music and images, but buying your child "Baby Einstein: An Introduction to Quantum Physics" is a little over the line.
4) Special Occasion Attire
I have been to Burlington Coat Factory a number of times. What is up with all these little outfits for special occasions. There is only one time a year that a parent should be allowed to dress up a child. Dressing up your child as little bunnies, Christmas elves, sailors, or princesses on any other day besides Halloween is unacceptable. The only exception to this rule is if you child requires that he/she wear a superhero outfit. I simply want to save money, not crush dreams.
5) Strollers
How much money can people spend on strollers? Some of these strollers are more expensive than my car! In the words of Dwight Shrute "$1200 is what I spent on my entire bomb shelter, this baby better be indestructible.:
So there you have it. This is no surprise to anyone, but before you think of having a child, think "I could have a Golden Retriever instead."
0 comments:
Post a Comment