How much does it cost having 2 vs.1?

Hmm well Ive only started noticing the cost now that they are both toddlers and both eating a lot, we spend a bit on food for them and then when they need new clothes, and for us theres daycare Caden goes 2 days and Bella 1(but Caden will be free in 3 months woop!).

We are lucky as we live in the 3 bedroom flat at mumn dads and only pay $170 rent, but we have sooo many damn loan payments but are paying them off slowly.

We get $180 for WFF and DH earns just over minw age 50 hours or so a week, so not great $$.

Im just used to living like this so we just chug along and after we have the next one and have paid off our debts then we are going to look at buying.

Edited by Sheza

It depends on what you have & when. If you have a boy then there is clothes & if it is at a different season you will need different clothes. If they are close together & both need formula & disposables that is an extra cost. Also a car seat & maybe an extra cot. Otherwise not too much more. The other child is always an on going cost.

The cost goes up as they get older. It is not problem to buy 1 child a pair of pj @ $15 but when you have extra kids you notice it, I have to buy for 3 so often can not get the amount needed all at once. So 1 pair of pj each instead of 3 for 1 child. As they get older they notice & do not want to miss out.

House payments may not be much but make sure you have money for extras as those little things that go wrong cost heaps. We paid off all credit cards first. Also a bank maybe more "helpful" If you have one child so I would do the mortgage before #2...but make sure you can afford it when #2 comes along if only on 1 income.

Don't count on WFF or any other assistance as that can easily change. We never got it till I had #3 and it has gone up & down over the last yr so much I can not rely on it too much as if it stopped I would have to get by.

I would also open an account or bonus bonds for like $5 a week or more if you can & you can use this for the baby or as a back up, you wont notice it & it will build up.

When they are babies it is really what you need & want & when they get bigger it is what they want & need.

eta & a double pram if you use a pram


Edited by jazzy

Yeah I second the don't count on WFF and stuff like that, that is a nice "optional extra".
Once they get bigger is when the expense kicks on. Daycare, if you don't qualify for subsidies is VERY expensive, even for a few hours a week, 2 x lots of clothes, I just had to get PJs and underware and basic winter stuff for miss 4 and mr 5 the other day and although I got it half price, I didn't get much for $170 . I buy heaps of second hand stuff, but Miss is quite rough on her clothes so I can't re sell any of hers.   She has a bit of hand me down form friends with kids etc. but yeah. they cost a fair amount to run! And do't even get me started on school uniforms, fees etc...Our fees are close to $400 for one, when she starts next year it will double (no discount) I try to put aside where I can and buy second hand and in sales etc.
The baby years are nice and cheapish if you make do but once they get past say 2 its $$$
And nice cheap mortgage!!! Lucky you!
Good luck, save hard and you will be fine. Wher ethere is a will, there is a way.

I wouldn't rely on WFF or any other Govt assistance that could easily change and not be available.
I guess having a second is needing 2 of everything clothes can be recycled, you will eventually need 2 beds, 2 car seats.
Agree with fattarts its getting to the pre-school and school years it becomes more costly.

Having more babies means you are longer out of the workforce and not earning an income as well.

Those under three can get 9 hours free.

Yes once school hits, or even 3 with a girl, if you're thinking about ballet, 80-110 a term, uniform & the huge expense at then of the year as well.

2nd children often don't get much. Poor boy hasn't had swimming lessons yet his sister started when they could as a baby.

I'm finding two is getting more expensive now, although because mine are the same age, it's slightly different. They are quite hard on clothes, so I get a mix of new, TM and Sallies clothing. Daycare is expensive - my subsidy hasn't kicked in yet so it's $104 a fortnight (they go for 12.5 hours a fortnight). Once my subsidy kicks in it will go down substantially though. I get $149 WFF (doesn't include in work tax credit - that would add $60 a week) but I wouldn't rely on it.

Biggest expenses - food (man they can eat!! and I prefer to use fresh fruit/veges where I can) and clothes. And daycare.

Laurie - Caden is 3 in June and once he is 3 he qualifies for 20 free hours. I pay for him at the moment.

If relying on WFF or child care subsidies are part of your decision making then I'd recommend you wait till the 19 May - Budget Day! That will be VERY interesting!

Edited by Little_Red

freckle wrote: wow that's an awfully cheap mortgage!! still with the mortgage you have the extra expenses you don't have renting... in some ways I'd be inclined to keep renting at $100 a week!! that's incredibly cheap rent - nice inlaws...

I cant help with the cost of kids but i agree with this! You need to remember rates and also money for the little things that need to be done around the house (these can add up really fast!)

Oh ok Laurie! Over here its just 20 free hours...So Caden will do 3 days at 9-3.30, so that's like 19.5 hours.