Kids- we love them to bits but they cost us a fortune, there’s no doubt about it. Keeping them fed, clothed and happy is all far more expensive than most of us probably realised, and there are plenty of additional costs on top of this to foot as well. Here are just a few of the ways our little ones rinse our bank accounts, even though we wouldn’t have it any other way.
New clothes
It’s no secret that kids grow quickly, but it’s not until you become a parent that you understand quite how much. It’s usually the case that you’ll buy them a load of new clothes and then they’ll have an enormous growth spurt so nothing fits- typical! Then the clothes that they do have, get caked in mud, stained or ripped where they’re having fun. All in all, just keeping them dressed can add up significantly. Your best bet is to buy less expensive things that can be replaced when they’re too small or ruined. Cheap clothes shops like Primark, supermarkets and eBay all have loads of kids items that look good and are functional but don’t cost the earth. Your little one can still be nicely dressed without being dripping in high-end brands- when it comes to kids clothes, spending a lot of money on them is rarely a wise move.
School costs
Here in the UK, all children are of course entitled to a free education. However, sending them to school isn’t without its costs! Going back to clothing, uniforms can be pricey especially when they’re constantly in need of replacing. Look for ways to save money on school uniforms so you’re not left broke every time your child puts holes in the knees of their trousers falling over, or their shoes no longer fit. You’ll need things like backpacks and stationery too, again look in bargain and discount shops to find these things where it will be cheaper than the RRP. You have to spend money on school dinners or packed lunches and not to mention school trips and other activities. Be aware of these kinds of costs and budget accordingly.
School holidays
As well as school itself, there are costs you need to consider when they’re off! As a parent, it can seem like the kids break up from school every other week; it’s nice for them to get a break, but it can be tricky for us. If you work, you have to either take time off and lose pay or fork out for childcare. The times that you are with them in the holiday, you, of course, want to have fun and will need to spend on family days out. Come up with a list of cheap or free days out, as well as inexpensive rainy day activities that you can resort to throughout the holidays. Parks, farms, museums and bike rides will all get you out of the house without spending much. Think baking, crafts and movie days to keep them occupied when the weather is bad. Anything to avoid the dreaded ‘we’re bored!’
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