Reply to Why do children get MORE expensive as they get older?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think the ES years are a lull.  But, things get expensive fast in MS and HS. Some luxury, some not. ADHD kid at TJ.  Best free public school in the nation. But, he can't do it without an executive functioning coach. With one, he can perform at a very high academic level. So is it optional?  Yes, but... he gets an amazing education that is perfect for him for the $4000 a year we spend on tutoring. And of course a psychiatrist to manage meds (can't get a good one on health insurance).  No sports, but serious musician. Private lessons, plus marching band, plus curricular band, plus concert outfit, plus traveling to marching competitions, plus, plus. It adds up fast.  It's optional. But, he's very good at it, and loves it, and he needs to do something besides study if he wants to apply to good colleges.  And every activity at the HS level is expensive.

He does not have a car, but we do have to carry auto insurance. She does have a cell phone. We are past the age of hand me down clothes.

But the kicker for us is that we never really lost childcare expenses. Once they started K, the aftercare was still expensive, and we used the difference for his 529.  Once aftercare stopped, we upped the 529 contributions.

PP is right. Expenses like band and tutoring and music lessons are optional, and childcare is not.  But, I wouldn't feel good about cutting anything. [/quote]

Okay but say you don't have a kid who needs expensive tutoring and a-out-of-pocket psychologist who is "a good one."  Then your costs go down.  Obviously if your child requires special services that will cost you.

How much really are music lessons and doing band in public school?  I mean, I know it's not the 90s anymore but band was cheap in HS for us; instruments were rentals from the school, trips were not that frequent.  My piano lessons were $25 a week. [/quote]

We were never able to get a rental instrument.  Every single child in my middle schooler's orchestra (public school) takes private lessons.  Every single one.  No, it's not required, but your child will be behind the other kids and music will quickly lose it's appeal if they suck at it.  Just paid $135 for a music field trip.  If you want to be frugal and not let your child do any activities and get a job - of course they will be cheaper.  And resentful. [/quote]

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