A realistic look at the real costs of raising kids, and how to plan for them before they arrive.
The cost of raising a child is easy to underestimate until the expenses are already happening. This guide gives a realistic, stage-by-stage look at what's ahead financially, so families can plan instead of react.
Inside: real cost ranges by age and stage, from infancy through the teenage years, planning for predictable big-ticket expenses before they hit, budgeting for childcare, activities, and school costs, and adjusting expectations without guilt when the numbers don't match the plan. A practical planning companion to the Parenting Through Every Stage series.
Includes 6 fill-in worksheets and self-assessments (print version), AI-powered prompts at the end of every chapter, and clickable links to Claude and ChatGPT in the digital version. Available in print (8.5×11, binder-ready) and digital (6×9, phone-optimized) formats. Instant download after purchase.
A realistic look at the real costs of raising kids, and how to plan for them before they arrive.