re: Why are people having children they can't afford?

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When you factor in needing a bigger house, increased utility costs, more school expenses, more driving around, higher medical costs, higher grocery bill, etc, I imagine the 13k figure is closer to being correct than you think. Also, the 13k is an average over an 18 year period. I don't know how old your kids are, but I've noticed a significant increase in expenses every year that passes. You may very well be under the 13k/per mark, but I am not. And we don't live a luxurious lifestyle by any means. Hell, if you take a family of 5 on a "cheap" vacation for a week per year you're looking at 2-3 grand right there. I know vacations and other luxuries aren't included in the figures because they aren't necessary, but they are part of giving a kid the best possible childhood

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My kids did not cost anywhere near 13K per kid. Kids are fine sharing rooms, having more kids does not require a bigger house. Giving your children the best childhood almost never equates with how much money you spend on them.

In the animal kingdom, to be successful one must get as many offspring into the next generation

Maybe "they" are successful

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I feel like it's common sense

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Common sense doesn't exist in most parts of America

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Over a grand a month per kid? Some of you are doing it wrong

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This is over 18 years and not some static number. The article if you even read it states that clearly....

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The ones who have children who they cannot afford are usually too dumb

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Meanwhile the majority of the population works hard to provide for their families without living off the people who work hard...who exactly are the dumb asses

I know one who has nine kids, one after the other. She must pull in 50-60K in government benefits, but cannot figure out how she keeps getting poorer. I think she keeps hoping the next one she squeezes out will be the golden ticket.

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There was a run of kid threads on here this past week and I got downvoted so hard for asking how are some of these folks affording the bills for their children.

To raise a kid costs around 250K over the span of 18 years or 13,889 dollars per year per child.

The US median household income is 55k I believe.

2 Children almost puts you halfway there....

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You are assuming people have common sense and plan out shite before having kids.

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I have four kids, and they are nowhere near that expensive.

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You sure? Food, clothing, the portion of the mortgage attributable to the space primarily used by the kids, medical care, including insurance, sports, school supplies, extra electricity, water, etc. Even though it is not something paid directly for the kids the extra cost is there and it adds up.

My pull out game isn't strong. I wish I would have leaned after the first one.