Babies are Expensive, and July 2005 Best

Wrote this in 2005 when my son was just born. I can assure you that babies are expensive, and things don’t get cheaper until they move out (and even then).

I asked Mrs. C8j for a topic, and she gave me this one. Well, no we are not complaining about the cost of baby C8j, but the expenses are there, let’s look at a few of them.

Formula: Well that’s about $11 for a 10 oz can of baby formula in powder form (it gets more expensive when you buy concentrate, and pre-made stuff is even more expensive). Right now the can lasts about 3 days, so let’s say $25.00 a week

Diapers: We buy them in a BOX (this is new, 10 years ago when we had our last child they only came in large bags). In Ottawa at the Loblaws the size baby uses is $43.00 for about 150 diapers, given baby uses 6 a day, that’s not too bad really.

Car Seat: First car seat cost us $129.00, but it is also a carrying seat, but he also hasn’t lasted too long in this, we plan on trying to sell it second hand to get some money back.

Car Seat (again): He now has a new one that he will be in for about 6 or 7 more years, this one cost $250.00, but again, amortized over 6 or 7 years, not too bad, I guess.

Crib: Got that second hand $100.00, but baby C8j is going to be the last (I promise, I have gone for my second vasectomy, first one didn’t work).

Stroller: You buy a Perago and that is about $350.00 at least. Some folks pay a lot more for these things that are SUV’s for babies.

Clothing: That can add up, unless you have a lot of rich friends who buy clothes or a big family with LOTS of hand me downs.

High Chairs: That might cost about $200 that will get used for about 2-3 years.

Swing: That is about $179.00 or so, and swings are great to help baby get to sleep!

Exer-saucer: $75.00 or so, pretty cool though

Vibrating Chair: $65.00 he can sit in that, but was a gift.

Mobile: About $30.00

University fund: Better start thinking, $1000 a year is a good idea!

First year total : Around $5000 or so, if you include clothing, and the University fund, and that is just the beginning folks!

Is it worth it? Every single penny!

My Musings for July

• Babies are Expensive? Babies are expensive, as most parents learn after having them.
• I only paid $450 but still! (rant cont’d) The amount that insurance companies cover and dentists charge, continues to increase. 
• It’s YOUR money, be CHEAP! Our friends over at the Canadian Capitalist had a great posting yesterday (click here) about price protection, and making sure you don’t spend too much money.
• The Credit Card and Society I remember when I was young, my parents had credit cards, but they rarely used them.
• I paid $900 for what? (rant) Ranting about dental costs while fun is usually howling at the ocean.
• Rule of 72 (more Einstein Finance) What is the rule of 72, and what does it have to do with Albert Einstein ?
• Einstein Finance ? Einstein finance ? What did Einstein have to do with finances ?
• Investing is like Golf ? Golf and Investing have more in common than investing is talked about on the Golf course.
• Hey I finished my Debt Reduction Plan! GOOD FOR YOU! Freaking amazing WHEN (notice I didn’t say IF) you succeed, with your debt reduction plan.
• Following the Debt Reduction Plan Following any debt reduction plan is never easy, but remember that all plans need to be tweeked while they are happening.
• Make a Plan for Debt Reduction If you are in debt, your highest priority is debt reduction and elimination.
• PC Points Add Up PC Points have added up for our family over the years.
• Bloody Free Offers Never give your credit card to a free offer, because if you give it to them, as sure as the sun rises in the morning, they will use it.
• Saving Money on your Furnace Duct Tape does not help with your furnace, but Draft Stop tape does. 
• Real World Example: Basketball Hoop What is the cheapest way to get a basketball hoop?
• Barbaric July 7 2005 was a barbaric date that will live in infamy. I will not forget this date or the images I saw on that date.
• Do I use the Bus? I wrote this a long time ago, and I would like to be able to use the Bus or Train here in Ottawa, but the system will not work for me.