Interesting blog on the cost of a baby...

bumpuser10258960

I came across this today and thought I would share. It's very interesting and I am considering starting a similar budget myself, because I'm OCD like that. Anyway, here's the link.... 

https://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2014/03/how-much-babies-cost/

Pintobean39

And to think I'm keeping track of how much I'm spending to have a baby. So far in 2014 I've spent about 8 k and that includes the cycle I'm on. If this cycle doesn't work were going straight into IVF and 1 cycle is going to cost 25k.

I also think my first child was much cheaper than my second. My youngest has tried every sport, karate, he takes piano and guitar now and want to take violin lessons. He's researching to study abroad during his summer breaks for the next 3 years. He wanted to go to MIT but now he's thinking he want to go to Caltech. Not to mention he's never stopped growing for the past 3 years and were having to special order blue jeans every 6 months. He's tall and skinny. He's killing us. My oldest was so much more low maintenance.

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bumpuser10258960

I know! We've pretty much determined that by the cost of daycare in our area alone, it makes no sense for me to continue working after we have a baby. Out of curiosity, I wonder how many ladies on this board will continue to work after baby. 

Davie813

I will.  I won't be taking home a lot once we have two kids in daycare, but that's not a permanent situation, and I'm very leery of leaving the workforce entirely and having a difficult time getting back in.  There are also some unique considerations in my case (student loan related ones).  Mostly, though, I just like going off to work, and DD really seems to like going off to "school", so we're happiest this way.  Everybody's different, though--it's all about finding what works for you!

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bumpuser10258960

As of right now, if I continued to work, I'd take home a little less than 50% of my pay which doesn't sound too bad. However, because of having my first son so young and never finishing school, I've always bounced from job to job and never had an opportunity to establish a career with a "real" salary. We made the decision for me to stay home for several reasons. 1) We can afford to live pretty close to our existing lifestyle without me working 2) We are leaning more towards homeschooling, which would require me to stay home 3) I plan to continue school and get a degree, so if and when I return to the workforce, I have a degree to back it, and 4) I still plan to hopefully come up with a creative way to work from home or start a crafty business to make extra income, so I wont be entirely out of the workforce.

Pintobean39

I actually lost my job when my husband and I got engaged and haven't worked since. We decided at the time since we were moving I wouldn't go back. Right now my son doesn't want me to go back to work so I've become a SAHM. My husband works really long hours and is never home so he's not a lot of help.

I was in college when my first was born and i went back to work when my second was 4 weeks old. I hated leaving my boys but I didn't have a choice. My husband promised I could be a SAHM if we have a child. So I'm retired or that's what I tell ppl.

bumpuser10258960

@Pintobean39, do you do anything at home to earn some extra cash? I keep thinking of ways for me to make some "play money" for us while being a SAHM, but I keep drawing up blanks. Everything I think of has been done 1000 times on etsy. 

Lady2010

I lost my job in November as a result of a change in strategy where our entire team was eliminated.  I took the rest of Nov and Dec off - esp since Dec was my first IVF cycle.  I have been looking for a job but the market is pretty dead for more senior roles.  We have been focused on getting pregnant - no luck yet! But I am also hoping to find something soon.  

Once we have a baby - whether through IVF/FET or adoption, then I will definitely go back to work (assuming I have a job) or look for something.  We don't need my salary but work has always been a big part of my identity and can't imagine I would be happy staying at home full time (but who knows, I could be wrong)

Pintobean39

MamaBear904 said:

@Pintobean39, do you do anything at home to earn some extra cash? I keep thinking of ways for me to make some "play money" for us while being a SAHM, but I keep drawing up blanks. Everything I think of has been done 1000 times on etsy. 

It's funny because when I was a single mom and worked 8-5 I also did photography on the side. Now that I'm a SAHM I have no desire to do anything else. I did do a lot of volunteer work with hospice until I had surgery last year. I have Ménière's and photography has become difficult. I do still volunteer at my sons school. My husband works really long hours at the hospital and now is a hospice director and is rarely home so I keep up with everything at the house. Sometimes I wonder how I ever worked I seem to always stay busy.