[Rachaelxxx]

When do the kids start becoming really expensive. I have a 5yo, a 3yo an 18 month old and a newborn and so far minus the food bills and clothing (which I choose to be exteme with), the major expenses are kinder and activities.

Everyone keeps saying how expensive kids are these days, but we are going to be sending the girls to a state school and that is cheaper than what my kinder fees are at the moment and then we will put each of the girls in one activity per term, so where is it that they become soooooo expensive.

I'm not trying to imply that these little ones won't break our piggie bank, I'm just trying to work out where most of the money goes.

Rachael and her 4 little princesses

[donthavetv]

Its my opinion that people "over state" how expensive children are, it all comes down to making appropriate and sensible choices, and in my expereince people with big families are good at doing that.

[~*Bubsy*~]

I have to say this year and last year, with two kids in Highschool now, we are starting to feel the pinch, but its funny how you always seem to find the money when you need it, or the school is willing to let you pay in instalments
Other than that and bigger appetites, I dont think theres much difference (oh and the lovely expensive school excursions!! )

[4lildarlins]

Rachel, I have often wondered the same thing .. usually when deciding should I go back for another ...

My friends with older kids say it school uniforms, school requirements, camps etc. They whinge a lot over the school holidays saying it is $20 each for them to go the movies with their friends and then other trips out .. quick calc by me $80 plus inflation I do not think so LOL!!

I cried when I sat down with dh one night and told him there was no way we could ever afford a third child .......... now here we are with now one income, 4 kids, a bigger car, building a bigger house and just doing it .... somehow .....

I am no help at all in answering the question but I too am curious and wonder if it is that large family kids miss out on more material things (not saying that is a bad thing at all, give me siblings over toys anyday!!) than the small family kids do??

This post has been edited by 4lildarlins: 22/09/2006, 07:52 PM

[donthavetv]

I am no help at all in answering the question but I too am curious and wonder if it is that large family kids miss out on more material things (not saying that is a bad thing at all, give me siblings over toys anyday!!) than the small family kids do??

Agree !, only I wouldn't call it missing out, I think they are lucky to have siblings instead of "things".

[Rachaelxxx]

I totally agree about giving them more siblings over material things, but there is no denying my girls will miss out on certain material things over other families. My sister has 2 young girls and we've spoken about how my girls will probably get jeleous over some of the things that she will be able to afford to do with her girls and then my sister said yeah but Rach it's always so much fun at your house my girls will probably want to come and live with you where all the excitement and action is LOL.

I could imagine school holidays being pretty expensive though, especially the christmas break.

Rachael and her 4 little princesses

[~Sorceress~]

It does get more expensive. School excursions get more expensive, sports get more expensive as they need better quality equipment and/or coaching, and holidays get waaaaaaay more expensive once you start needing interconnecting hotel rooms!

I don't mind my children missing out on expensive toys and clothes, but I would feel really terrible if their education suffered . So we pay for music lessons, swimming lessons and a couple of sports each - but when I add up what it costs us on an annual basis it is a little scary!

Edited to add that even though you may plan to send your children to state schools, children are all individuals and some of them may not thrive in the public system. You might want to make allowances for that possibility in your long term budgeting .

This post has been edited by ViolinCuddles: 22/09/2006, 08:51 PM

[lizabelle]

I have 4 girls at home, my son is living in Newcastle for uni now and he is pretty well supporting himself. For us it does seem to get more expensive as they get older, mostly in the way of sporting and school commitments and stuff like that. My kids go to a private school and that is always a big expense, but it is still cheaper than child care LOL.

School hols are expensive but I budget carefully, for example we get DVD's instead of going to the movies (Iget 7 weeklies for $10 and they watch them all week and get together with friends instead of paid outings like bowling or whatever, too expensive for us. We go to the museum, which is free, and also we have a yearly pass at the local aquarium which helps.

And yes, siblings always make up for any "missing out", my son was an only child for 7 years and he was always saying he was bored, whereas I have never heard my girls say they are bored, so in the long run they will look back on their childhood as being one big party LOL. So it all balances out, give me the big family any day

[donthavetv]

lol Kristen... I didn't think of holidays because we are very lucky my dh is a travel agent !

I find Catholic school a very good option as an alternative to public school, and we get a low income discount.

I guess my approach is that whilst there is no doubt, they do become more expensive, you sort of know that is coming when you decide to have a large family, and everyone makes do.
Like a pp said... you just seem to find a way.

[~Sorceress~]

Woohoo - I vote donthavetv is in charge of compiling list of large family holiday options! LOL

I find it so frustrating that so many hotels simply don't have accommodation for a family of 6 - let alone at a reasonable price! And so often they suggest that you just get two rooms and they'll make sure they're on the same floor - ummm, hello, so you think I want to spend my holiday with my dh and I in different hotel rooms???