People overestimate how much children cost on here?

157 replies

Bankin · 24/01/2025 13:34

Yesterday found an old bank statement from 2019 and worked out after paying my rent I only had 400-500 a month to spend on everything else with one child.
No idea how I managed that but I did and now it has me wondering about all the threads where people say they can't afford kids because they'd only have a couple thousand left after the mortgage/rent? Am I unreasonable to think these people are being a bit dramatic?

OP posts:

Gogogo12345 · 24/01/2025 13:44

TankFlyBossWalkJamNittyGrittyIAmFromAMidSizeCity · 24/01/2025 13:38

It's not dramatic really, it's the childcare in the early days that's crippling.

It's far easier when they hit an age where they don't need childcare, but they don't come out able to look after themselves unfortunately.

But not every child needs childcare, sahp, grandparents opposite shifts etc
I remember reading something about a child costs over £200k to raise up to their 18th birthday.

Well if that was the case then I'd have been up shit street raising 3 of them as was more than total earnings

TickingAlongNicely · 24/01/2025 13:44

Remember on lower incomes, you get help with childcare.

People do list a load of nonsense on the list of expenses like expensive hobbies, driving lessons, fancy smartphones, etc but for the younger children, its simply childcare costs.

Coldanddamp · 24/01/2025 13:42

Isn't it childcare & the cost of wraparound care when they are in school, holiday clubs. Plus additional food costs.

Original poster

Bankin · 24/01/2025 13:42

TankFlyBossWalkJamNittyGrittyIAmFromAMidSizeCity · 24/01/2025 13:38

It's not dramatic really, it's the childcare in the early days that's crippling.

It's far easier when they hit an age where they don't need childcare, but they don't come out able to look after themselves unfortunately.

I even saw a thread where someone said they'd have a couple k after mortgage/rent AND childcare though. And claiming they still couldn't afford kids.

OP posts:

WhatWasPromised · 24/01/2025 13:41

I must’ve been imagining that £1900 bill each month from nursery when mine were little then

LittleRedRidingHoody · 24/01/2025 13:41

YABU I think. Of course there are cheaper ways to do things but realistically £400 would barely cover gas/electric/council tax for my house. Let alone childcare (which round here is £2k after funded hours), food, insurance, travel expenses etc. That's before you even look at 'fun stuff' like holidays, birthdays, eating out.

TankFlyBossWalkJamNittyGrittyIAmFromAMidSizeCity · 24/01/2025 13:38

It's not dramatic really, it's the childcare in the early days that's crippling.

It's far easier when they hit an age where they don't need childcare, but they don't come out able to look after themselves unfortunately.

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