Dang Rug Rats are getting expensive, the US Department of Agriculture calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18,  it’s over 241 thousand dollars for a middle income family.

That is up 3 percent from 2011. And no, it does not include the cost of college.

That money covers housing, food, transportation, clothing, health care, education and child care, as well as miscellaneous expenses, such as toys and computers.

Daycare is a really big expense/Comstock
Daycare is a really big expense/Comstock
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The price can increase depending on where you live.  Middle class folks in the Northeast can spend $446,100 on a kid.  Families earning less than $61,590 a year in rural areas will spend the least, at $143,160.

Expenses increased in all categories in 2012, health care, education and child care spending increased the most. Transportation and food costs also went up.  Gas prices almost doubled between 2000 and 2012.   I know you have seen that food bill increase, especially as the kids get older and grow out of kids meals!

 

Remember that 241 thousand is just for one kid, the price increases if you throw in two or three of em.  You may have to get a Reality Show to pay for them all.

19 Kids and Counting/ Photo Courtesy DCL/TLC
19 Kids and Counting/ Photo Courtesy DCL/TLC
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Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of the child you just got the 241 thousand dollars?  Just SAYIN!

 

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