Yikes! Kids are expensive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You need, AT MOST, two swimsuits, in the event one of them doesn't dry in time for the next day. You rinse swimsuits after each use, to get bleach or salt out, but you don't need to wash them with detergent. You hang them to dry (hence why you need two unless you dry them in the sun).

Also, OP, state college is $30K a year today, total cost of attendance. My son's private uni is $85K a year. Costs are only going to go up. Other costs, haphazardly: $90/lesson for music lessons or tutoring (which went up to $200/hr for AP and SAT/ACT test prep for my kid in high school). You can also get a cheap online tutor from a lower COL state, if you want, just like you can buy two swimsuits. Public school is free with taxes, private can go up to 70K a year, with donations and fees.

It's all relative

All of this. We have an only and are doting and I absolutely indulge my kid. But even with plenty of money and only one kid to buy for, we are strategic and think big picture.

Also, if you get in the habit of going overboard like this all the time, it absolutely will start losing its charm for your kid and will simply become an expectation. You will wind up with the kid (or kids) who complain because you're going on vacation and even though their old swimsuits all still fit, you are not purchasing a brand new "swim wardrobe" for them. Being more strategic and limited with indulgences will help your kid see them as the treat they are, and not just the way the world works. Good luck with that.

As I already posted, this is the FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE she's gotten to pick out swimsuits. This is not a habit. And I think I mentioned in the OP that none of her swimsuits fit anymore. This is literally the first time I've indulged her with clothes this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you envisioning here. Your daughter can't repeat a bathing suit during spring break? She can't even wear the same rash guard twice? Athleta girl has some very cute two pieces that are actually reversible -- two suits in one.

The fact that you can afford it is irrelevant -- this is just being dumb with money and also teaching your daughter to be dumb with money. She's goign to be a 25 yr old blowing her entire paycheck on clothes because no one ever taught her how to budget properly (while still getting cute things she likes! there's very little sacrifice here).

Kids ARE expensive, but I assumed this post was going to be about the cost of braces, a special needs therapy for which no one takes insurance, or having to buy a new wardrobe for a kid who shot up 3 inches in a year or something. If you are experiencing sticker shock here, just wait until you actually HAVE to spend money on your kid for something a lot less fun than a new swimsuit for vacation.

Please - you've never indulged your kids in some frivolous way? I doubt that very much. These will be what she wears for the next two or three summers. I'm happy for her to have options she's chosen. She's sacrificed plenty in the name of not being financially wasteful, and I am not worried about her being careful with money as an adult.

I've indulged my kids in lots of frivolous ways. What I don't then do is go on the internet to complain about how expensive "kids" are because I spent $80 at a fancy ice cream place or bought my DD a ridiculously cute but expensive Easter dress from Maisonette. I get these are choices I make because I do like to indulge my kids from time to time, and not just how much things cost.

(By the way, after spending over $100 on an incredibly cute Easter dress for DD last year, this year she picked out a dress for $15 from TJ Max because she was obsessed with the matching hat and purse -- she obviously doesn't really need a new dress because last year's still fits, but it is making her SO happy I couldn't resist. So indulging your kids does not always mean buying them the absolute most expensive version of something, and buying a ton of it. I could "afford" to buy her a bunch of dresses at this price point but... why?)

It seems this is a misunderstanding. I was not complaining. As I've said, we can afford this. It was more marveling. I don't regularly spend this much on the girls. Sorry you all took it in a negative way.

I can’t believe you are digging in and buying FIVE swimsuits. Literally everyone on the thread says this is stupid, and DCUM so rarely has consensus!

Those prices are absurd. My kid probably has a dozen as I hate washing and they swim year round. I rarely spend more than $20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You need, AT MOST, two swimsuits, in the event one of them doesn't dry in time for the next day. You rinse swimsuits after each use, to get bleach or salt out, but you don't need to wash them with detergent. You hang them to dry (hence why you need two unless you dry them in the sun).

Also, OP, state college is $30K a year today, total cost of attendance. My son's private uni is $85K a year. Costs are only going to go up. Other costs, haphazardly: $90/lesson for music lessons or tutoring (which went up to $200/hr for AP and SAT/ACT test prep for my kid in high school). You can also get a cheap online tutor from a lower COL state, if you want, just like you can buy two swimsuits. Public school is free with taxes, private can go up to 70K a year, with donations and fees.

It's all relative

All of this. We have an only and are doting and I absolutely indulge my kid. But even with plenty of money and only one kid to buy for, we are strategic and think big picture.

Also, if you get in the habit of going overboard like this all the time, it absolutely will start losing its charm for your kid and will simply become an expectation. You will wind up with the kid (or kids) who complain because you're going on vacation and even though their old swimsuits all still fit, you are not purchasing a brand new "swim wardrobe" for them. Being more strategic and limited with indulgences will help your kid see them as the treat they are, and not just the way the world works. Good luck with that.

As I already posted, this is the FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE she's gotten to pick out swimsuits. This is not a habit. And I think I mentioned in the OP that none of her swimsuits fit anymore. This is literally the first time I've indulged her with clothes this way.

If you want to spend that go for it. Why post about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you envisioning here. Your daughter can't repeat a bathing suit during spring break? She can't even wear the same rash guard twice? Athleta girl has some very cute two pieces that are actually reversible -- two suits in one.

The fact that you can afford it is irrelevant -- this is just being dumb with money and also teaching your daughter to be dumb with money. She's goign to be a 25 yr old blowing her entire paycheck on clothes because no one ever taught her how to budget properly (while still getting cute things she likes! there's very little sacrifice here).

Kids ARE expensive, but I assumed this post was going to be about the cost of braces, a special needs therapy for which no one takes insurance, or having to buy a new wardrobe for a kid who shot up 3 inches in a year or something. If you are experiencing sticker shock here, just wait until you actually HAVE to spend money on your kid for something a lot less fun than a new swimsuit for vacation.

Please - you've never indulged your kids in some frivolous way? I doubt that very much. These will be what she wears for the next two or three summers. I'm happy for her to have options she's chosen. She's sacrificed plenty in the name of not being financially wasteful, and I am not worried about her being careful with money as an adult.

So you’re happy to buy over priced swimsuits, great! Stop whining then. Also, you’re delusional if you think a kid is going to wear the same size for three summers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You need, AT MOST, two swimsuits, in the event one of them doesn't dry in time for the next day. You rinse swimsuits after each use, to get bleach or salt out, but you don't need to wash them with detergent. You hang them to dry (hence why you need two unless you dry them in the sun).

Also, OP, state college is $30K a year today, total cost of attendance. My son's private uni is $85K a year. Costs are only going to go up. Other costs, haphazardly: $90/lesson for music lessons or tutoring (which went up to $200/hr for AP and SAT/ACT test prep for my kid in high school). You can also get a cheap online tutor from a lower COL state, if you want, just like you can buy two swimsuits. Public school is free with taxes, private can go up to 70K a year, with donations and fees.

It's all relative

All of this. We have an only and are doting and I absolutely indulge my kid. But even with plenty of money and only one kid to buy for, we are strategic and think big picture.

Also, if you get in the habit of going overboard like this all the time, it absolutely will start losing its charm for your kid and will simply become an expectation. You will wind up with the kid (or kids) who complain because you're going on vacation and even though their old swimsuits all still fit, you are not purchasing a brand new "swim wardrobe" for them. Being more strategic and limited with indulgences will help your kid see them as the treat they are, and not just the way the world works. Good luck with that.

As I already posted, this is the FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE she's gotten to pick out swimsuits. This is not a habit. And I think I mentioned in the OP that none of her swimsuits fit anymore. This is literally the first time I've indulged her with clothes this way.

If you want to spend that go for it. Why post about it?

This. The only person who is mad you spent that much on bathing suits is you. The rest of us did not care (after all you can afford it) but are just objecting to you claiming THIS is the reason kids are expensive. It's not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you envisioning here. Your daughter can't repeat a bathing suit during spring break? She can't even wear the same rash guard twice? Athleta girl has some very cute two pieces that are actually reversible -- two suits in one.

The fact that you can afford it is irrelevant -- this is just being dumb with money and also teaching your daughter to be dumb with money. She's goign to be a 25 yr old blowing her entire paycheck on clothes because no one ever taught her how to budget properly (while still getting cute things she likes! there's very little sacrifice here).

Kids ARE expensive, but I assumed this post was going to be about the cost of braces, a special needs therapy for which no one takes insurance, or having to buy a new wardrobe for a kid who shot up 3 inches in a year or something. If you are experiencing sticker shock here, just wait until you actually HAVE to spend money on your kid for something a lot less fun than a new swimsuit for vacation.

Please - you've never indulged your kids in some frivolous way? I doubt that very much. These will be what she wears for the next two or three summers. I'm happy for her to have options she's chosen. She's sacrificed plenty in the name of not being financially wasteful, and I am not worried about her being careful with money as an adult.

So you’re happy to buy over priced swimsuits, great! Stop whining then. Also, you’re delusional if you think a kid is going to wear the same size for three summers.

+1, especially if a big deal was made about the style of the suits. Not only will she outgrow them, but she'll want to replace them with an equal number of equally expensive suits. And then your younger daughters will complain about having to wear hand me downs that are now deemed out of style.

[Anonymous]

Why couldn't she puck out 2 fancy new ones and get the rest from gap or kohls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why couldn't she puck out 2 fancy new ones and get the rest from gap or kohls.

We looked at several different website together. She didn't like the Gap options.

[Anonymous]

Why does she need 5 swimsuits and 2 rash guards?!

[Anonymous]

Why does any child need 5 swimsuits? My kids are on swim team and their team suits are like $60. They each have 1 swim trunks, 1-2 pairs of jammers and a team suit. 1 rash guard for sun protection on vacation.

Swim team suits not the official team suit come from Swim Outlet.com and regular trunks come from Primary or Target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what are you envisioning here. Your daughter can't repeat a bathing suit during spring break? She can't even wear the same rash guard twice? Athleta girl has some very cute two pieces that are actually reversible -- two suits in one.

The fact that you can afford it is irrelevant -- this is just being dumb with money and also teaching your daughter to be dumb with money. She's goign to be a 25 yr old blowing her entire paycheck on clothes because no one ever taught her how to budget properly (while still getting cute things she likes! there's very little sacrifice here).

Kids ARE expensive, but I assumed this post was going to be about the cost of braces, a special needs therapy for which no one takes insurance, or having to buy a new wardrobe for a kid who shot up 3 inches in a year or something. If you are experiencing sticker shock here, just wait until you actually HAVE to spend money on your kid for something a lot less fun than a new swimsuit for vacation.

Please - you've never indulged your kids in some frivolous way? I doubt that very much. These will be what she wears for the next two or three summers. I'm happy for her to have options she's chosen. She's sacrificed plenty in the name of not being financially wasteful, and I am not worried about her being careful with money as an adult.

Hahahahaha. As a parent of 8 and 10yr olds, my 10 yr old grows 4-5 inches a year. Also no 10 yr old will wear a “baby suit” they picked out at 8. I also hand clothes down between my kid, but I also make sure the younger child always gets a chance to pick out some new things just for him.
Good luck in the next few years. The 5th grade girls in my neighborhood wear Lululemon leggings and all have Apple Watches and those Stanley cups. Kids are expensive! Especially when you indulge their whims with no boundaries instead of getting 1 “fancy” suit and 1-2 plainer less expensive options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why couldn't she puck out 2 fancy new ones and get the rest from gap or kohls.

We looked at several different website together. She didn't like the Gap options.

Okay, I don’t like any beef but Waygu. Damn, steaks are expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You need, AT MOST, two swimsuits, in the event one of them doesn't dry in time for the next day. You rinse swimsuits after each use, to get bleach or salt out, but you don't need to wash them with detergent. You hang them to dry (hence why you need two unless you dry them in the sun).

Also, OP, state college is $30K a year today, total cost of attendance. My son's private uni is $85K a year. Costs are only going to go up. Other costs, haphazardly: $90/lesson for music lessons or tutoring (which went up to $200/hr for AP and SAT/ACT test prep for my kid in high school). You can also get a cheap online tutor from a lower COL state, if you want, just like you can buy two swimsuits. Public school is free with taxes, private can go up to 70K a year, with donations and fees.

It's all relative

All of this. We have an only and are doting and I absolutely indulge my kid. But even with plenty of money and only one kid to buy for, we are strategic and think big picture.

Also, if you get in the habit of going overboard like this all the time, it absolutely will start losing its charm for your kid and will simply become an expectation. You will wind up with the kid (or kids) who complain because you're going on vacation and even though their old swimsuits all still fit, you are not purchasing a brand new "swim wardrobe" for them. Being more strategic and limited with indulgences will help your kid see them as the treat they are, and not just the way the world works. Good luck with that.

As I already posted, this is the FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE she's gotten to pick out swimsuits. This is not a habit. And I think I mentioned in the OP that none of her swimsuits fit anymore. This is literally the first time I've indulged her with clothes this way.

I'm the PP who posted about college costs. Sorry we're all ganging up on you. There is an etiquette to all message boards, everyone gets burned at least once, and next time, you'll be a little warier of how you come across. Your tone was read as a complaint, even though you didn't mean it that way. You can adjust next time.

I've bought some truly INSANE things for my kids, but I don't complain about the price - I know it was a crazy splurge, not within the realm of normal for most MC/UMC families.

[Anonymous]

You could have just put them in her Easter Basket. Two problems solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where the heck are you buying your kids swimwear? Even at Biden (which I consider on the pricy end, though quality is good) that would wind up being like $200-250. And yes, PP is right-- if you shop sales and use brands like Carter's/Target/Old Navy, you could buy it all plus a pair of sandals and a coverup for a little over $100.

OP here. We shopped at Athleta Girl. We looked at Old Navy and Target, but only found two DD was okay with, but not enthusiastic about. After spending her whole life just accepting what she was given, I thought it'd be nice for her to get to choose and be enthusiastic about them.

The kid is 8. You show her the cheaper lines and she picks. Who cares if she's not enthusiastic about them. She'll wear them for a year if that.

Or shell out the big bucks and come on DCUM and complain how expensive kids are.