BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Today Show - Cost of Raising Kids

That's what I was going to point out too. Not having kids doesn't automatically mean you're wealthy. I don't think my parents combined salaries over their lifetime would come anywhere close to $1 million. Also, not all parents pay for their kid's college education and not all kids go to schools that cost $40K a year.

That said, I'm delighted that I never have to spend a dime on diapers.

It could be worse -- you could be in your current financial situation and have a kid on top of that. "That way lies madness."

BA in Art History here! The b/f has his MFA in Painting, he teaches at least. Yeah, we're just rolling in the cash, lol

So true. Being in the arts and having kids would be quite a gamble. So many other things to be created besides children if you ask me!

BillieCat: Doesn't it, though? I can so rarely speak my mind, but finding this site has been an absolute blessing.

Hi Tress:

I always held my tongue, always worried that someone wouldn't like me, always gave up my own opinions.
Being an adult, I suppose I don't care about that just from maturing, also being around a very outspoken husband helped to change me.
My mother and grandmother were meek, and I was raised that way.
I do appreciate people that are tactful, and I don't hurt anyone with what I say, but there are things that need to be said and it feels empowering to say them!

I'm not sure where they get these figures.

My parents never bought my orthodontics, didn't pay for my university, and after I turned about 14 rarely if ever bought me any clothing.

They gave me $5 a week allowance and I'd eat whatever meals they ate during the week.

I think I was a bargain!

The fact that I paid for my own university (it was $20,000 over 4 years but I live in Canada -- a really good school) and my own braces (probably about $3000) actually contributes to the fact that I don't feel too eager to shell out for some kid.

I felt that way in high school, well, that and ragingly depressed. I decided when I graduated that when I hit college, I'd be a rotten [censored] and say whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to, and if people didn't like it, well then, that weeded out the people I wouldn't like to know anyway!