re: I don't know how regular folk get by with multiple kids. The cost is absurd.

quote:

---

Does your SO work? It would almost be worth it if to stay home.

---

It's $1400 a month for 2 kids. That's dirt cheap for organized daycare.

My wife makes way too much money to stay home with kids. We both agree we have no interest in doing that.

I should open a daycare for rich people

My wife makes good money convincing dumb wealthy women to buy expensive shite

Growing up in 60s and 70s, our family was 7 kids, next door neighbor was 7 kids and friends up the street had 9 kids.

Never stops… just realized by time I finish paying for braces, car insurance will kick in.

Tuition
Car repairs, tires, etc.
sports- gear, fees, gate fees, food bc you are not him to cook etc.
Freaking groceries- 14 yo never stops eating
Etc..

Judging by your post, I take it you are not "regular folk." You sound like you have a nice 2 income household and are pretty well-off financially; probably even able to vacation and enjoy hobbies with very little financial strain. You've just happen to get hit with a string of expenses the past month or two that caused you to think about your finances.

I have 5 kids (21, 17, 14, 11, & 4.). Four still at home; the oldest is totally independent and self-sufficient. We manage on 1 income. How? It just depends on how spoiled you and your spouse are, and how spoiled you want your kids to be. Sorry, not trying to sound like a dick. Just tired of hearing people that make 6 figures complain about cost of living when their lifestyle and expenses may suggest otherwise.

To help understand how regular folks get by, you have to understand and balance your wants vs. needs. Needs always trumps wants. Honestly, we haven't spent $700 on clothing for all of our kids combined in the past 2 years; and when we do purchase clothing it's def not designer or from the mall. Those $100 shoes should cost you half of that. When your kids get older, make them pay the difference if they want more expensive items. Can't be brand conscious. Have to be ok with hand-me-downs. Rhea Lana's consignment sale is a large event held twice a year that caters towards children. Follow them on FB. You can shop clothing for the next 2 years and pay a fraction of what you usually do.

Food- a major expense. Have to limit restaurants or fast food to maybe once a week. Buy bulk on necessary items (Sam's, Costco). Compare prices; consider Aldi's. They are priced better than anyone, including Walmart. I know people like their associated grocers (Rouses, Matherne's, Ralphs etc), but you cannot maintain weekly trips here. If so, you will spend several thousand more on groceries in a year. I like to support local, however I rather support my family the most.

Childcare- this is another major expense that I'm able to save on. I pay $0 on childcare. My wife is the homemaker. She also homeschools until junior high/ high school. Sometimes, its just not worth having a 2 income household. That was the case in our situation. I understand it is not appealing to everyone. Most importantly, in order for it to work you have to have a wife who actually wants to spend time with her children.

Healthcare- it is what it is. Health is THE most important. Do what you gotta do. However, I'll never empty the bank account for a medical bill. There is not a hospital, doctor, dentist/orthodontic that is not capable of putting you on a payment plan. You just have to tell them if they don't offer it first.

Lastly, transportation. We limit ourselves to only 1 vehicle note at a time. Pay it off and drive it until the wheels fall off.
Don't get me wrong, it's tough at times. Some months are tighter than others. I don't pretend to have all of the answers. I've just been doing it long enough to learn a few tips and tricks along the way. Never bankrupt, never hungry, and kids for the most part are happy (gets tricky when they are teenagers).


So, it can be done

I can't even fathom the amount of money some of y'all spend on your kids! And I'm totally not hating or jealous, if you've got it spend it!

I have 3 kids 11-8-5. I'm a teacher/ coach. And full time single dad. I scrape constantly, mow yards, hang Christmas lights, odd jobs etc on the side to get by.

All 3 play sports. Luckily the oldest two are gifted and work hard enough they aren't charged for sports beyond my oldest boys football league fees.

Luckily with me being a coach they get tons of nice hand me down clothes and shoes. School has decent insurance.

I drive a 15 year old yukon. Plan is it will go to my oldest in a few years. But I get to make it to all my kids practices and games. And we go fishing, hunting etc. Can't complain about that.

quote:

---

I really don't know how people do it these days. Decent folk seemed priced out of the kid market.

---

And yet the Mexicans all seem to have 5-7 kids, and do just fine.

quote:

---

Damn baw. What kind of work you do?

---

Hard rock miner. Tis the price of living rural. Cost of living is cheap in the area.

I use to earn a lot more but the work has worn my joints out over the years. Scaled back to just what's necessary. Only "work" 3 days a week now.