“It costs HOW MUCH to raise a kid? - MSN Money” plus 1 more |
| It costs HOW MUCH to raise a kid? - MSN Money Posted: 22 Oct 2010 11:00 AM PDT The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that it costs about $222,360 to raise a child in this country. Miranda Marquit, a staff writer at Moolanomy, doesn't believe that. She ran some numbers of her own for a post called "Does my son really cost me $26,000 a year?" Marquit figures it's costing less than $15,000 per year to raise her little guy. Maybe a lot less. After all, the tot doesn't eat nearly as much as Marquit and her husband. He doesn't have the same travel or entertainment needs. And even if he hadn't been born, his parents would probably be living in the house they're in now. "If I take out the cost of utilities and housing, the number is $8,185.12 a year," Marquit concludes. Other bloggers aren't buying it, either. In a post at Christian PF, Craig Ford estimates his three little blessings add about $6,300 total to the Fords' annual budget for things like diapers (cloth during the day, disposables at night), food, clothing and college savings plans.
His post includes a list of 10 ways to minimize the costs of raising children. Tip No. 1 applies before the baby is even born: "If you plan to have one of the parents stay home, adjust to one income now." (Good thinking.) Many 'necessities' really aren't A young mom and personal-finance blogger named Penny devotes an entire section of Penniless Parenting to the idea that "babies can be cheap." She thinks we spend way too much on products we don't need. "Changing pads? Use a towel on the floor or a bed. Baby bath? The sink works fine. Baby towel? Adult towels will do the job. Baby soap, shampoo, and detergent? Liquid castile soap will work for all of them at very little cost," she writes. "Baby blankets? Warm pajamas and or adult blankets eliminate the need for those. Swaddling blanket? I use an old sheet cut to size. Diaper pail? A bucket will do. Spit-up cloths? Clean rags, towels or cheesecloths are a good replacement." I agree with all three parents. While some line-item costs (especially child care) can be stratospheric, we don't need to buy nearly as much as Madison Avenue would have us believe. What we do need can often be obtained cheaply or free by trading with other parents, or from online swap sites, yard sales, the Freecycle Network, consignment stores and thrift shops. Due to product safety recalls, you shouldn't get cribs or car seats from yard sales. Then again, Penny and other proponents of the family bed would suggest you don't need a crib at all. Baby food is easy to make. Kids don't need a ton of toys. Rather than buy a pricey pram, why not make a no-sew baby wrap until the infant is old enough for a much cheaper umbrella stroller? And seriously: Do you really need a Diaper Genie? Couldn't you just put the damp or dirty Huggies in a trashcan with a tight lid? How about it, all you moms and dads: How much is it costing you to raise your kids? What money-saving tips can you share with parents-to-be? And just for fun: What's the most useless piece of baby equipment you've ever heard of or received? More from MSN Money: This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Picture-perfect: Guide to snapping kids for holiday cards - Houston Chronicle Posted: 21 Oct 2010 03:40 PM PDT It may not even be sweater weather yet, but if you plan to send out holiday cards, now is the time to start preparing. Hoping to include the perfect shot of your little ones? You're going to need patience, practice — and maybe a little luck. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to improve your odds of getting a great shot. Houston photographer Joslyn Paris, www.jparisphoto.com, offered these tips for snapping great photos of the kids. 1. Consider the best time of day for your children. The best photos are taken when the subjects are relaxed, well fed and happy. You know your kids better than anyone. Pick a time that's good for them. 2. Choose comfortable and colorful clothing. The most important thing is that kids wear clothes they like and are comfortable wearing. Color is great. Children can show their personalities and energy through their clothes. Avoid anything with large logos or writing that might be distracting. For a family shot, it is best to coordinate outfits, as opposed to having everyone match. Solid color shirts are always a great choice, especially for adults. Then throw in a pattern or more colors for the children in the group. 3. Natural lighting is critical. The best natural light comes early in the morning and an hour or two before sunset. High noon is usually a difficult time to photograph because of the harsh shadows and strong sunlight. An overcast day is actually a great day to take photos and will allow more flexibility than a completely sunny day. 4. Location, location, location. Consider the style of photograph you want before choosing a location. Also be sure to check out what — or who — is in the background of your shot. Try to eliminate any unnecessary distractions such as parked cars or pedestrians. 5. Don't force children to say "cheese." It is every parent's natural instinct to tell their children to "say cheese." In most cases, this has the opposite effect. Engage your children, get down on their level and just let them play. Their natural smiles and personalities will show through when they are simply having fun. 6. Bring some favorite things. Set everything up before you begin to photograph your children. Children engage more easily when objects are their size and on their level. Try using a small chair or tricycle, and bring along a few of their favorite toys. Avoid any items you don't want to see in the final photographs, however, such as a pacifier or a blanket. 7. Take a snack break and offer treats. Children love to be rewarded. Use this to your advantage when photographing your kids. Small treats such as M&Ms can be eaten quickly without creating a mess. It is also helpful to take a quick break if children become restless. A few Goldfish crackers and a juice box can go a long way. 8. Act silly. Your kids think they know you inside and out. Think of something fun that will create the true belly laughs. Sing the ABCs backward or pull out some silly expressions to surprise your little ones. 9. Know your camera. These days, point-and-shoot cameras are extremely sophisticated and take excellent photos. It is important to understand your camera settings in order to maximize the potential of capturing a great image. Take a quick read through the manual and master the auto settings, and you will be a step ahead. 10. Have fun! Photographs capture a moment in time. Be sure to enjoy the time you are trying to capture. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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