Couples consider many things when deciding to start a family, but the financial burden of raising a child is not always first on the list. I often hear from clients who are soon to be parents, “We’ll figure it out!” This could be a good strategy in deciding which spouse will handle the 2am feedings, but not the smartest approach to being financially prepared.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture it costs a whopping $233,610 to raise a child in the United States (birth to 17 years old), and this doesn’t include college education! On average we see the cost of a child around $15,000 per year.
Here are a few important questions to ask as you and your spouse plan for the arrival of your little one:
- How much are healthcare costs for having a baby?
- How much will childcare cost?
- How much should we be saving for future college costs?
- How much are healthcare costs for having a baby?
National averages range from $5,000-$15,000 depending on a number of delivery factors. It’s important to plan early and look at what your insurance covers (and doesn’t cover) so there are no surprises. Here are a few things to do as you plan for out of pocket expenses:
- Review your insurance, years in advance if possible, to ensure you don’t need to change plans.
- Ensure you know your max out of pocket spend amount.
- Create an emergency fund to pay for costs you’ll incur before you max out your responsibility to the insurance company.
- Consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover out of pocket medical expenses.
- Many employers now give employees a contribution into their health savings accounts. Remember, health savings account contributions lower your W-2 income, grow tax free and are withdrawn tax free!
- How much will childcare cost?
This will vary based on what type of childcare is a fit for your lifestyle. According to Care.com, the average weekly childcare cost for one infant child is $199 for a family care center, $211 for a day care center, $390 for an au pair and $596 for a nanny. A few things to keep in mind:
- Some employers offer a dependent care flexible savings account (FSA). This would allow you to put away up to $5,000 per year tax free to cover approved daycare expenses.
- Having live in help like an au pair can add up. I’ve seen many clients pay up to $10,000 to an agency who has vetted the au pair. In addition, if you opt to use a live in au pair don’t forget about the added cost of feeding another adult and buying/maintaining another vehicle.
- How much should we be saving for future college costs?
This is a common question and every couple’s perspective is different given their personal experience and preferences. For parents who don’t want their child burdened by debt, starting to save early for college is crucial. Start as soon as you can!
- The main accounts we see clients open are 529 plans and Uniform Transfer to Minor Accounts (UTMAs) – the primary difference is tax treatment and control.
- The amount you must save on a monthly basis depends upon whether you are saving for private or public college tuition.
- For most state funded universities, you should be saving anywhere from $250-$500/month from the day your child is born.
- For private schools, the cost can vary more, but from my experience, you are looking at $1,000-$1,500/month from when your child is born.
While some of these figures might appear staggering, you can’t put a price on the peace of mind you’ll have knowing your child is taken care of. Our parents made it work and so can you! The question is – what can you do today to help create financial freedom for your family in the future?
