[bundle2baby]

In the vein of spending/giving to our kids:

Rich Baby, Poor Baby: Overspending on Kids Is a Waste

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Thanks for sharing! We are guilty of having the nanny but to me it's worth it to have Juliana home with me where I can see her all day.

[bundle2baby]

Absolutely! I think it's awesome that you are able to continue your career & still see Juliana during the day. Best of both worlds! I have two home-based businesses, which help make it possible for me to be a SAHM. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in the article, it was an interesting read.

[Daffodil]

I think we overspend on Arie and will probably continue to...my hubby is very much of the "she should have every advantage" mindset. We moved into this house because of the school system here...its public, but one of the best around, so the cost of living here is very high. He's also said about lessons and whatnot, lets always give her the best.

I'm the one who is more frugal, but having said that, I have spent an arm and a leg on her bedroom. WAY more than I spent on ours. I think a part of it is because I feel guilty that up until this point, she didn't have a bedroom, not that she cared. I could have done a really cute bedroom for way less, but of course I went the PBK route, and that is very costly.

[Hollybear]

We overspend according to the article, but to each their own.

I disagree with certain programs (music, gymnastics, etc.) being a waste, especially when there is so much research that proves otherwise.

A lot of the things we do for Sophie at this age aren't necessarily all FOR Sophie. I like to get out of the house too and interact with my friends.

Definitely an interesting read.

Originally Posted by Daffodil

I'm the one who is more frugal, but having said that, I have spent an arm and a leg on her bedroom. WAY more than I spent on ours. I think a part of it is because I feel guilty that up until this point, she didn't have a bedroom, not that she cared. I could have done a really cute bedroom for way less, but of course I went the PBK route, and that is very costly.

LOL same! Sophie's nursery furniture is nicer than our bedroom furniture I think

[starrsgirl]

Love this article and this pretty much captures the mentality of how DH and I raise Emmett to a T!

I wish there was some way to accurately tally our personal child cost like they do in the article. It would be super interesting.

[shockandawe]

Very interesting read. We're guilty of the nanny thing too, for the very same reasons as Mariah described. For me the economic advantage comes from having the assistance with housekeeping too. Without this advantage - we wouldn't have opted for the nanny until we had baby #2.

Everything else I do with and for her is pretty darn frugal. I don't buy a lot of her clothes yet (grandma's are still eager to spend their money at the moment). I do spend my money on books, shoes and the odd toy. In terms of gear, we got what we needed, we have used it all to a point where I feel we have already gotten our money's worth. And we're not arbitrarily replacing any of it either. What we have is working well, and does precisely what we need it to. They won't be replaced without a really, really good reason. And they will be used for baby #2 if they are still functional at that time.

[sfarrow3]

Great read. I am guilty of certain splurges. My kiddos have a ton of clothes, shoes and toys. The toys come from mainly grandparents though. I don't know I look at things somewhat differently I guess. We (hubby and I) work TOO hard not to splurge on my kiddos with somethings. My kiddos do dress nice and have nice things. At the same time I turn around and give thier clothes away to someone who needs them. Occasionally I will sell them, but I don't have the time to do that, so I rather give it away.