-
It is MUCH harder financially than I thought it was going to be. It's the little things like health ins and diapers and stuff like that because I literally spend no money on anything kid related.
We could never afford lessons with my two older boys and weirdly, they both learned to do some pretty awesome stuff on their own so that's actually less important than you might think. Also, if you do public school they offer tons of stuff thru the school (we homeschooled so didn't use as much of those resources as we might have - that's one thing I am def. doing differently this time thru.) I did BF for a really long time so I felt like that helped.
What's a vacation?? ;) We go to my inlaws house or "camping" at our house site!
-
Oh and I wanted to let everyone know - about college, my oldest son has been paying his own way thru and making almost straight 4.0 so far. No student loans or anything. I think he takes it a lot more seriously than some kids who get free rides.
-
Yes AS, I think it is good for children to have that responsibility so they really appreciate it. Same with saving up to buy a car. My parents couldn't afford to put 4 children through university, but we all went. We used a system which allows you to pay off your university fees once you have a job and are earning money. The repayments are adjusted according to how much you earn. Within a few years I was debt free. It totally took the stress out of it. I wish more countries did the same thing.
-
Yeah, I am not even thinking about saving for their college. That isn't going to happen. We can't save anything. I don't know if it really helps to pay for it for them anyway--I hate the idea that they will have debt, but I think like others have said, people take their education more seriously when they are paying for it. I know I did.
Atomic--where we live, there is a really great health insurance plan for kids that is free, and for a family of 5, the income cap is 65K! We have never made that much, ever. That may sound like we are paupers, but we have survived just fine on my DH's income so far until the economy took a turn. Anyway, check into that if you are interested. I am not sure what it would be called in your state, but it is Blue Cross Blue Shield.
-
Haha no, that does not sound like a pauper to me! I think we have something similar here but we haven't used it before because DH insurance was really good at first and affordable. It just kinda sneaked up on us because they are GUTTING our insurance, the monthly cost and co-pays keep going up and up and the benefits are going way down. >:(
-
HM- don't have 4 kids but just wanted to say that I'm confident that you guys will be fine. I always think people do it all the time with a lot less. I'm sure you guys will manage.
