I ask after new research has revealed life for people with children is an average of £400 a month more expensive than it is for people who don’t have kids.
And I’m sorry, but I reckon that figure is way off the mark.
We pay almost double that a month in nursery fees for just one child. Not to mention the after school clubs for her brother and sister, the shoes they’re all constantly growing out of and the food they don’t stop eating.
Of course, how much you spend will depend largely on how many children you have and the ages between them.
For example, two at nursery at the same time = eye watering monthly outgoings in nursery fees alone. But individual circumstances aside, just how much more expensive is life with children?
How much does it REALLY cost to raise a child?
The new research, commissioned by shoe shop Deichmann and shared by Netmums, surveyed more than 2,000 adults and found that couples without children have an average expenditure of £1,006 a month, while those with one or more children have average monthly outgoings of £1,406. (I don’t know about you but can’t help but think: and the rest!)
So where does this extra £400 a month go?
The 10 biggest expenses for parents
According to Deichmann’s survey the biggest expenses for parents are:
1. Paying rent or a mortgage
2. Paying bills
3. Buying food
4. Holidays and trips away
5. Buying clothes
6. Cinema trips
7. Gym memberships
8. Buying shoes
9. Sports clubs
10. Buying alcoholic drinks (love the fact that alcohol makes the list!)
I’m not surprised to see holidays and trips away so high on the list – the increase in prices during school holidays ought to be criminal – but I find it interesting childcare fees don’t feature. Or perhaps they fall under paying bills.
Either way, I can’t help but wonder how much it really costs to raise a child. My answer is a lot – and it’s probably best not to do the calculations!
What do you think? Do you think an extra £400 a month is about right for people with kids? Or way off the mark?! I’d love to know your thoughts!
My first thought when reading this was too ruddy much. lol
Having kids cost way more than £400 a month. I think all the bills would be cut by half if my fella and I had no kids. lol
It’s a wonder that anyone can actually ever afford to have a child #thatfridaylinky@_karendennis
As a holiday owner, if kids didn’t all have to have the same 5 weeks, then the prices wouldn’t have to be so high. It has got so much worse since the 2 week authorised absence in term time was abolished too. All mine benefitted from this and it hasn’t damaged their education. #DreamTeam
I don’t even want to think of the cost of how much I spend on raising my 5 boys. All I know is as long as we have a roof over our head, food on the table and clothes on our backs we are doing ok.
Popping back#kcacols@_karendennis
I would actually be afraid to add this up … because the normal budgeting thing doesn’t seem to apply, as, with kids, there is always something cropping up you could not have budgeted for! #KCACOLS
I think it is sensible not to add it up! When I factor in just swimming lessons for 4 kids alone my eyes water!! #DreamTeam
I think that’s possibly about right for us, although I’m a bit scared to actually work it out! We’re very lucky though in that we don’t have to pay for any childcare, I think that’s the thing that pushes costs up a crazy amount for parents. x #KCACOLS
You’re right, just taking kids to classes alone costs an arm and a leg. And how do you say no? My 5 year old goes to gymnastics and we have her name down for swimming lessons in January. Plus she asked can she start ballet too. How much will that all cost??! A lot more than 400 a month if you add it all up! Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS !
Oh children can seriously cost us a fortunate cant they? I know I only have the one and the outlay can be crazy. My daughter wants to start ballet lessons soon as well as a million of other things. Thank you for joining us for #kcacols and we hope to see you next time!