Are older kids really more expensive than little ones?

[Anonymous]

They eat more.
Orthodontics is expensive.
Music lessons and sports can become more costly as they increase their commitment.
You will still need some childcare (if you are working)
The specialized camps (or sleepaway camps) that appeal to older kids can be pricey but you can certainly just say no and send them to county camps.
Tutors if your child is struggling.
The biggest expense for us was unforeseen disabilities and healthcare issues that we didn't expect. Two of our 3 appeared typically developing through first grade. They both require weekly therapies now.

[Anonymous]

Hell yes. They eat more. Their clothes/shoes are more expensive. Their activities are more expensive. The majority of them need braces that cost $$$$. I can already tell the difference and my son is only 5. When he was 2 he had no activities and still got half of his calories from milk. Now he wants to try sports and he eats all damned day long. I swear there is a never a moment of the day when he is not hungry!!

[Anonymous]

If you are working you will probably still be paying before/after care and camp costs. They rise with age. No more kids meals at restaurants. The same lands end jacket costs almost double in the men's department which DS needed in middle school. I am not up to car insurance yet..

[Anonymous]

Mine are still in elementary, but it's definitely less expensive than full-time care. We don't do a lot of activities, though, and the kids are still in "little kid" clothes, shoes, etc. On the flip side, they're still growing out of things every 6 months.

I expect the "sweet spot" to be around K through 4th grade. Then the clothes/shoes will get more expensive, they'll get more independent and want activities of their own choosing, electronics, they'll eat more, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher, so costs got waaaaaaaaaaay lower once the kiddo's schedule matched mine. Very little needed in the way of care (DH and I stagger schedules, so just the odd work day coverage is needed). He goes to a few weeks of camps in the summer for fun, but it's not nearly the expense of a full year's daycare payment!

[Anonymous]

Kid started public school this year. We expect to save about $12,000 over last year's childcare expenses. Not sure how this will change up as he gets older, but appreciating that sweet spot!

[Anonymous]

There is a small window of time in early elementary school when you have more financial breathing room.

Then extra-curriculars become more expensive if your child is passionate about certain things (gym, musical instrument, etc), and their clothes get more expensive, and they start EATING.
Then is SAT prep and tutors and more extra-curriculars and more clothes and more eating, to say nothing of travel and electronics.
Then there is college, the cost of which is predicted to keep rising much faster than the average income.

So... hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's the food. OMG. Our grocery budget was $1,000 a month when they were little. Now that the eldest has hit puberty, it's more than doubled. He NEVER STOPS EATING and has a food allergy that means we have to spend more than most people on food to avoid his triggers. Also, now that he is in adult clothing sizes, his clothing budget has had to increase.

Extracurriculars aren't cheap, either. Figure a BARE minimum of $250 for every activity a kid participates in. That escalates quickly if the kid is any good and wants to progress.

Oh, and toiletries. I used to bathe the kids a couple of times a week with a squirt of baby wash. Now, oldest kid showers daily and requires acne cream, deodorant, hair gel, etc. ... little things, but they all add up.

I so agree. I have two teenage boys and I cannot believe how expensive the groceries are. A couple of other things that come to my mind are activities - we never did movies or amusement parks when mine were little. The free museums were more than enough. But, now, they want to go skiing and gokart racing and have friends over for pizza, etc. etc. And then there is allowance. And braces. And even though mine are boys, their hair costs as much to keep up as mine does.

[Anonymous]

Yes they are. Gone are the days when you could run to Target and buy a cheap toy and outfit for them. You are spending money on braces, grownup sized shoes and coats, computers and cell phones, specialized activities, and college is looming!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More expensive? Not necessarily. But you probably won't realize a huge savings over preschool/daycare.

This. The reasons for the costs change that's all. You spend more in food, their clothes cost quite a bit more, there are expenses associated with extra curricular etc.

I don't know that it is more expensive per se but don't expect to save much.

[Anonymous]

Even at the early elementary level, there seem to be so many little expenses that add up - pizza parties, PTA dues, school pictures, class pictures, donations for gifts, fundraisers, field trips, potluck contributions. It's been a real eye-opener for us.

[Anonymous]

Two male teen drivers $500/month car insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine are still in elementary, but it's definitely less expensive than full-time care. We don't do a lot of activities, though, and the kids are still in "little kid" clothes, shoes, etc. On the flip side, they're still growing out of things every 6 months.

I expect the "sweet spot" to be around K through 4th grade. Then the clothes/shoes will get more expensive, they'll get more independent and want activities of their own choosing, electronics, they'll eat more, etc.

I have 2 7th graders and think this is an accurate statement. Neither is into a particularly expensive activity but it has definitely gotten more expensive the last couple of years. Ds used to be happy with $5 t-shirts from Target. Now it is $20 Under Armour t-shirts. Yes, I know that I could say no but he is special needs and wants to "fit in" so I buy him what he wants (and fortunately I can). Orthodontia, more expensive shoes, food, etc. adds up as all of the pp's said.

[Anonymous]

DD is in sixth grade. Almost 12.

I say yes, more expensive. She used to be thrilled with a pack of Little People or whatever the toy was that I could literally buy at the drugstore. Now she wants Beats headphones. She wants furniture for her bedroom (not happening). She's had a palate expander and now has braces, will be getting a retainer and then will probably need braces again. She goes to the mall with friends and wants to take $15 with her each time for snacks and buying lip balm or earrings at Claires. She wants to go to Japan.

Her wants are simply more expensive these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More expensive? Not necessarily. But you probably won't realize a huge savings over preschool/daycare.

This. The reasons for the costs change that's all. You spend more in food, their clothes cost quite a bit more, there are expenses associated with extra curricular etc.

I don't know that it is more expensive per se but don't expect to save much.

+1

Extra-curricular costs are a big factor. There are also costs for public school activities. The "optional" band trip to Orlando. The "optional" chorus trip to Chicago. The "optional" trip to Italy for Latin class. (etc.)