Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum for their one week NICU stay and my twin c-section.
Newborn: hit our out of pocket medical maximum the following year due to Nate's reflux and subsequent ear tube surgery, Alex's physical therapy and helmet, ENDLESS sick child visits because they were in day care (we're talking $300 a month just in sick child co-pays, not to mention medicine x2).
Newborn: formula. Had to do soy due to Alex's dairy intolerance. Couldn't do generic.
Newborn - age 3: diapers. Times two. And don't get me started on what a dairy intolerance and antibiotics for endless illnesses do to the insides of diapers.
Ages 3months - age 5: day care. I can't tell you the real total because if I add it up, I will cry, but it is in the 6 figures.
Age 1: more endless sick child visits. Also, an entire mountain of goldfish crackers.
Age 2: boy clothing destruction begins as Alex ruined 10 pairs of jeans over winter
Age 2-18: in which they eat us out of house and home. I dare you to take Alex to IHOP to see how much he can put away.
Age 2-18: swim lessons, music lessons, soccer class, gymnastics, spanish. OY.
Age 3: all of Laura's crazy pursuits as she tries to reclaim her life after twins. Evidence: photography and running expenses.
Age 4: BAND AIDS. Seriously, I should have bought stock in band-aids a long long time ago. Complete meltdown if there is not a band-aid around in an emergency.
In the future:
Glasses and contacts
Braces times two
Putting TWO 16 year old boys on our driver's insurance on the same day!!!!
Ongoing injuries
Ongoing eating and clothing
Two kids starting college at the same day.
So... I will never ever be a gazillionaire.
But they are worth it.
14 comments:
At least you won't have to pay for their weddings! :-)
It's crazy when you really stop to think about how much kids cost - they are money pits! I'm with you on steadfastly NOT doing the math on overall daycare expenses because if I really figured it out, I'd probably have a coronary!
Nice breakdown. Two teen drivers on the same day. Scary.
SO I guess I should thank you for not punching me across the table last night for my whole, "my kids and teacher antibodies" comment.
No worries, paying for it today.
Aaaaww, this made me tear up :)
They are definitely worth it!
My twin girls are 2.75 and prior to their birth, we calculated all the costs and estimated high. We were ready! Then they were born and we realized that we were nowhere near the ballpark. My list reads like yours to the T minus the daycare at this moment. That was one expense we just couldn't swing.
As for the band aids, I have an older daughter and I know better - but I still didn't buy stock in them. What was I thinking?
Laughing out loud here. We bought a standalone freezer last night to put in our new walk-in pantry. Why? Because we now have to do our *regular* grocery shopping at Costco.
Wouldn't trade it for the world though.
I am constantly shopping clearance racks and resale shops. I keep two bins in the basement with the next size clothing. It's crazy how many pieces they can ruin without even trying.
Oh, boy, laughing and freaking out at the same time since we are in the same boat...except we will have to consider weddings!!
You forgot about touch up paint and near constant house repairs. How is that they manage to break EVERYTHING they touch????
Scary to see it all laid out like that!
Unfortunately, I know how much our child care expenses add up to since we have a nanny and I see it in total every year. And each year I drink a glass of wine (or two or three) and repeat this phrase "she is taking care of my most prized possessions..."
OH LORD! I hadn't even thought about the boys going on insurance at the same time...
I saved on the diapers...we cloth diaper...but they were also with me all day every day.
But my best friend just had her third daughter...so I think my twin boys aren't so bad...LOL :)
And the are SO worth every little penny!
Come on, what are you talking about? The Duggars are debt-free with about 20 times as many kids. :)
We don't have twins but have five boys...now ages 13, 16, 19, 21, 23 :-) It's amazing how creative one becomes to save. I'm a stay at home mom and save $100 just by baking all our own bread. Oh...and beyond highschool our boys pay their own way through college/university. They have to work part time and have to work hard but they have all stayed out of debt. It is possible....and better for them than living off parent's handouts. They started with paper routes and mowing lawns and had/have to save most of that money for their driving ed costs and college education. Enjoy your boys - they grow up sooo quickly!!!
cathy
You could have also titled this: Why we are a two-income household.
I never ever want to add it up. Although when my girls turn 5 on September 14th and I am doomed to pay for an entire additional year of childcare, I will mourn that expense most of all. Seriously. Now I just hope they don't cut public education funding to pieces, so we can still do public education.
You don't have to put your kids on your car insurance. Common misconception. They are alternative drivers. Just like you'd be covered if your best friend drove your car, you'd be covered if your kids occasionally used the car.
Don't always trust the people trying to sell you insurance; they have other motives.
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