Yes, it's been expensive! The biggest cost has been childcare. At it's most expensive, with 2 children in private nursery, it cost £100 daily. More than mortgage-sized. Just now, it is over £700/month, for part-time childcare, with one at private nursery & 1 at school. So a huge chunk out of our income. I've gone part- time too, so 1/2 my income has gone, and almost all the other 1/2 is taken up by childcare. I do think childcare costs in the UK are so expensive when compared to other countries.
For my first child, everything was bought new, mainly from Mamas & Papas, Gap/M&S for clothes etc. For my 2nd neglected child, the bedroom furniture was 2nd hand from Gumtree, a lot has been bought from outlets & on eBay. Just a reflection of the cost of childcare impacting on spending elsewhere.
In many ways, I've downsized spending on other areas due to the cost of childcare. Did I mention how expensive it was?! Used to shop st Sainsbury's, now it's Lidl. No more holidays abroad, it's UK short breaks & stay-cations/day trips instead.
Car-wise, we went from 2 cars to 1, a Volvo estate, which is now 5 years old & won't be replaced for at least 2 years.I used to change cars every 3 years in my life before children.
The only things I won't compromise on are shoes (but I buy in Clarks outlets) and car seats. I insist on Isofix car seats & won't compromise on safety.
I always get annoyed when people say that children don't need much & don't cost money.
Yes, we buy 2nd hand, sell things on afterwards, make careful choices about spending. We're not having expensive meals out, wearing designer clothes, buying new cars or having foreign holidays. But it's all a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of childcare.
I can't wait for my daughter to start school & to spend less on childcare.