Cost of Raising a Child

Every year, experts come out with updated calculations on how much it costs to raise a child. The numbers are always pretty high, somewhere in the thousands, if I remember correctly. The sad thing is that these numbers may not be completely accurate, and I have to wonder how many individuals and couples look at the numbers and say, "Well, that's how much it costs...I don't think we can do this." Some may look at the numbers and say, "Well, it may cost this much but it's worth it...somehow we'll make it work." Okay, I'm guessing as to what the exact response is, but these are the ones that are pretty obvious.

In my experience, however, I think it is pretty safe to say that while raising children is an expensive task, especially once you add up everything parents spend from prenatal costs to college, and perhaps after that if you count weddings (not to mention out-patient care of adult children, but that is another story...) I believe that raising children ends up being quite a bit less than what the experts estimate that it is. Granted, there is no free meal (even the hand-me-downs cost somebody something), but there are many ways of cutting down on costs. I have to admit, I don't know all the secrets to cutting costs yet, but I am learning, and in the time that I have been a mother, I have cut down on many costs already. Not only that, but there are costs that I paid full-price for originally, but when such expenses occur after that initial encounter, I have found ways to pay less the next time.

Here are a few examples of ways to cut down on costs of raising a child:
~ Use cloth diapers and wipes as opposed to disposable diapers and wipes. By doing this, you can cut out $600-$1100 per year.
~ Nurse instead of using formula. This cuts out about another $1000 per year.
~ Buy clothes second hand, such as at rummage sales, thrift stores and classified ads, both for the child and for maternity clothes. Often times, there are many clothes that have been hardly worn, still have plenty of wear left and are even quite fashionable.
~ Alter articles of clothing to give it a new look without having to pay full-price of a new item.
~ Shop the clearance racks and sales, and combine both when you can. Add coupons to this mix when possible.
~ Shop for food items when they are on sale and use coupons on the same purchase whenever possible.
~ Ask friends or family member if you may borrow clothing items that they are not currently using, and return when outgrown. This is helpful when the lender is planning to use the items again but doew not need them at the time. (This can be helpful with both infant clothes and maternity clothes. Just be sure to treat the clothes well while you are using and return when not needed any more. If this will strain the relationship you have with the person, avoid this tip.)
~ Ask friends or family member if they have clothes that they are planning to get rid of that would fit your child, and be willing to give them a little something for them if they are. Many times, people are willing to part with outgrown items at no cost since they would rather not have these items taking up space, but be willing to offer some resonable compensation.
~ Sometimes friends or family members are getting rid of toys or books their child has outgrown. This is another opportunity to save by accepting or paying a small cost for these items.
~ Buy toys at thrift stores and rummage sales. You can always disinfect them before letting your child use them where that is a concern (watch for toys that cannot be washed and avoid these if this is a concern to you). There are some nice toys to be had this way, and if it breaks it is not as big of a deal because you didn't break the bank to get it.
~ Sometimes the network of people you know may give you new items such as for baby showers, birthdays and Christmas. In some cases, you may even be able to supply a wish list if there are specific items needed or desired.
~ Sell items that you are no longer using to buy items that would be more useful for your children. You can have a rummage sale or use classified ads or let the people with whom you network know that you have items you are selling. (Just be sure not to pressure anybody into buying--treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one making the purchase.) This is a great way to fund your Christmas and birthday gifts for your children.
~ Sometimes you may purchase a larger, nicer item for a birthday, and in some cases family members are willing to chip in. I am not as much of a fan of this idea, but it is an idea that some people prefer to use.
~ Find entertainment ideas that cost little to nothing, such as packing a picnic lunch and going to a park to eat it, going hiking or letterboxing (see letterboxing.org), disc golfing (there are initial costs to buy the discs, usually about $7-8 for the less expensive discs.), swimming, visiting the library, going on field trips (field trips don't have to be limited to the school year!), etc.
~ When entertainment does have costs involved, look for discounted options. For instance, an Annual Zoo Pass will cost less than paying for each individual visit to the zoo if you be sure to visit the  zoo often enough in the year that it pays for the membership. For instance, if getting into the zoo is $20 per visit for the family, and the annual zoo pass is $90, be sure to visit the zoo at least 5 times during the validity of that zoo pass. If you do buy a membership, be sure it is one that your family will enjoy and use often. If it is a membership to a place that is farther than you will travel or that you won't enjoy visiting multiple times, it may not be worth the membership.
~ Find new modes of entertainment that are out of the ordinary, such as visiting an elderly neighbor and getting to know him or her.
~ Don't forget to find ways to give in the process. Giving keeps us from becoming stagnant and horders. For instance, give away toys, books and clothes that are no longer used. Bake cookies or bread for a neighbor and let this be part of a visit. These are great things for children to participate in and helps them learn the joy of giving.

Other aspects to the costs of rasining children that are often forgotten about are things like this:
As a child gets older, he or she will be able to work and produce an income, even if it is small to begin with, and as they do, they can pitch in on their own costs of clothing, school supplies and little luxuries.
Children who aren't sure what kind of education to pursue may forego college and just start working out of high school, and may even be able to make as much or more than their college educated counterparts by entering the workforce sooner, and even by learning to invest their income early and wisely. Those who do go to college can also work their way through college paying off college as they go and may even be able to graduate debt-free. There are grants and scholarships also available if the student is willing to take the time to look for them and do the tasks involved to earn them (such as writing an essay).

Students can also conduct fundraisers or do odd jobs to help pay for school-related expenses. These kinds of activities help children understand that there are costs involved for activities they participate in, it teaches them to have a good work ethic, and it show them that there are rewards for being productive.

I am sure I could think of more ideas, but this is a good start. In fact, I am surprised that I came up with this many! Hopefully, these ideas are helpful to anyone who reads this, including me as my children get older.