It's a topic that hardly anyone likes to talk about, but one that shouldn't be ignored: high costs that young parents face. If you plan well, you will have less to worry about. We explain how to do itBaby and toddler equipmentcan save.
The first baby and toddler equipment
According to studies, young parents can expect to pay around 6,000 euros for their baby in the first year of life. This amount can easily be saved in advance. In addition, it is easily possible to reduce it by at least half if the requirements are reduced at the same time. The first baby room doesn't have to be furnished with completely new furniture and look like (sponsored) influencers on Instagram. Many young parents sell their own furniture cheaply at baby flea markets when their child moves into the nursery.
Baby clothes don't always have to be new. Babies grow so quickly in their first year that they outgrow one size within a few months.According to the dress size tableThe contents of the wardrobe change around six times in the first year of life. It's smart to buy and wear second-hand clothes. You can also save money by buying baby clothes one or two sizes larger and letting the baby grow into them. Sleeves and legs are then turned inside out for a while.
You can also save on consumer goods. Washable, reusable diapers not only protect your budget, but also the environment. If the baby is breastfed instead of bottle-fed, high expenses are also eliminated. As soon as it switches to porridge and other food, it can be prepared using a hand blender. In addition to lower costs, this has the advantage that parents have full control over the contents of the baby food.
High costs for small children: The child of kindergarten age
As the child gets older, the costs continue to increase. This is how parents payScharound 1,630 euros per yearfor looking after a child between 3 and 6 years old in kindergartens, daycare centers or with childminders. They then fall sharply when the child goes to (free) primary school.
Two thirds of the care costs can be deducted from taxes. However, there are many other costs in addition to these costs. Second-hand clothing becomes more difficult from kindergarten onwards when the child comes into contact with peers (and the parents with other parents) and comparisons automatically arise. In addition, the child's demands on the toy increase.
Teenagers are the most expensive
Instead of simple wooden blocks, it now has to be the first smartphone. Last but not least, a mustnew children's roombe planned, which then accompanies the offspring until adolescence. And then it gets really expensive: teenagers cost their parents around 700 euros a month with clothing, school expenses, clubs, electronic entertainment and pocket money. At least they can now earn something extra and cover certain expenses themselves, such as the cell phone contract, and the state is currently alleviating the costs with child benefit of around 220 euros per month.
