Parents: how much $ per month to raise a kid???

[pcmodem]

Guys,
Got a 25 year old female friend that's around 5 months prego. No, I'm not the father, just a friend to which she comes for advice. The fellow that got her prego is young and immature and not ready for fatherhood, so all of the friends are trying to pitch in to help the soon to be mother as best we can:

Have a few questions for which any useful advice is welcome, so we can help her:
1. How much money per month should she budget for the care and upkeep of a kid? Including things like clothes, food, baby sitting, putting money away for the kids education, et cetera.

2. Any recommendations on strollers, car baby seats, cribs, et cetera? Brand and model names, if you can.

3. How far ahead does one need to attempt to reserve a preschool?

4. Anything else she should be planning?


Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you in advance.
-PCM

 

[Emulex]

How much does a child cost to raise? Pretty much all of your spare money. Crap i'm paying $1000/month to have my ex raise my kid. Insurance is uber expensive, rent, nice clothes, a safe place to live with good school district, computer with high speed internet (well maybe any internet), whatever toys they need.


It's about quality of life, you want your child to have the things you didn't, right?

Basically what i am saying, is you can't budget a kid. The expenses come, and they come fast, sometimes they come unexpected (specially doctor bills)..

 

[pcmodem]

Howdy,
Thanks for the info. Since my friend will be raising the kid at home, don't worry about budgeting for alimony or for child support or for rent. Medical insurance is also covered through her employer. Thanks.
-PCM

 

[Tauren]

1. It changes with age and conditions and what you can afford.
2. Car seat - Britax, hand down.(just check consumer reports and baby sites and talk to other parents) Strollers - any with large wheels and lots of places to put things. Cribs - just amke sure it is VERY sturdy and that the sides come down with a one hand, but safe manner.
3. One year, atleast. Make sure they have a locked front door(from the outside only) and lots of security cameras and that they let NONE walk around that isn't staff.
4. To not sleep for the next eighteen years.

 

[HowardStern]

My guess is $1000/month, which is one reason why I'm definately not ever having any. A vasectomy is much cheaper.