[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

The cost to raise a child?

That is what I just heard on some financial assistance advertisement.

Anyone who can afford to spend $221,000 to raise one child does not need financial assistance.

I raised 6 children and did not spend that much on all of them put together.

I don't know about that... I bet if you sat and were able to look over every reciept for every thing that you bought each and every one of them it would shock you! Think about it, every item of clothing, food, toys, birthdays, school supplies, hair cuts... EVERYTHING! I have three children, I dropped $2000.00 just on Christmas alone, not including my daughter's birthday that was just two weeks before on the 11th! And trust me, My husband and I are far from rich! Just factoring in my WalMart totals every week and everything, I sometimes wonder how we do it. The funny thing is, you just make it work. No one is ever REALLY prepared financially for a child, or a pet for that matter (which is why my husband gives me so much crap for buying my new Yorkie puppy this month!)... but it's like I told him, it will just work out. You know why? Because they are worth all that... plus so much more!