The ultimate baby cost tracker
Blogger J. Money pledges to track every penny he and his wife spend to raise J. Junior from conception to age 18.
This guest post comes from J. Money at Budgets are Sexy.
Remember when I had that idea of keeping track of all money spent on our baby so far? Well, after thinking about it for a while and deciding it was more fascinating than it was a total waste of time, I've decided to just go for it and see how long we can take it.
Not only was the curiosity starting to get to me, but as a budget man I realized it was probably something important to pay attention to anyway. So, I am keeping track of every last dollar spent on our baby all the way until he becomes a legal adult at the age of 18.
I know it's super nerdy and/or weird, but how awesome would it be seeing that grand total of everything you've spent on a human being like that? From moment of conception all the way through birth and toddler time, and then up to preteens and teens? We always see those averages and studies on the cost of having kids throughout life -- which I'm sure are decently accurate -- but I'd much rather see it for myself and have a little fun along the way too.
Imagine how big that number is going to get over the years. And how old I'll be by the end of it. (50! Yikes!) I'm all kinds of giddy just thinking about it. I wonder if blogging will even be AROUND by the end of it. (Post continues below.)
OK, here we go! Get excited!
All money spent on baby since conception:
| $25 | Box of pregnancy tests | (Oct. 2011) |
| $57 | Gynecologist visit | (Oct. 2011) |
| $60 | Prenatal vitamins (60-day) x 2 | (Oct. 2011) |
| $150.96 | Obstetrician visits payment plan | (Dec. 2011) |
| $8 | Prenatal tests | (Jan. 2012) |
| $11.98 | Blood work | (Jan. 2012) |
| $108.30 | Blood work | (Jan. 2012) |
| $26 | Blood work | (Jan. 2012) |
| $119 | Obstetrician visits payment plan | (Feb. 2012) |
| $69.33 | 12-week sonogram | (Feb. 2012) |
| $13.36 | Blood work | (March 2012) |
| $53.31 | 20-week sonogram | (March 2012) |
| $119 | Obstetrician visits payment plan | (March 2012) |
| $317.99 | Crib | (March 2012) |
| $317.99 | Dresser (matching) | (March 2012) |
| $140 | 6-week birthing class | (April 2012) |
| $6.36 | Blood work | (April 2012) |
| $119 | Obstetrician visits payment plan | (April 2012) |
| $70.49 | Kid rug and hamper | (April 2012) |
| $57.32 | Paint and supplies (for nursery) | (April 2012) |
| $10.81 | Wall decals (decorations) | (April 2012) |
| $48.61 | More wall decorations and artwork | (April 2012) |
| $122.77 | Crib conversion rails to make adult bed | (April 2012) |
| $73.68 | Crib conversion rails to make toddler bed | (April 2012) |
| $31.26 | Prenatal vitamins (60-day) | (May 2012) |
| $107.49 | New digital camera (to take a billion pics) | (May 2012) |
| $119 | Obstetrician visits payment plan | (May 2012) |
| $18.75 | Large blanket | (May 2012) |
| $3.47 | Blood work | (May 2012) |
| $23.93 | Wipes | (May 2012) |
| $29.99 | Diaper Genie | (May 2012) |
| $47.69 | Crib mattress | (May 2012) |
| $31.48 | Diaper Genie refills and burping cloths | (May 2012) |
| $24.94 | Swaddler sensitive diapers | (May 2012) |
| $7.52 | OxiClean | (May 2012) |
| $17.98 | Laundry detergent (special baby kind) | (May 2012) |
| $57.09 | Crib pad, thermometer, rattles and more | (May 2012) |
| $3.32 | Blood work | (June 2012) |
| $46.10 | Nursing bra/new underwear | (June 2012) |
| $41.32 | Bathroom stuff (shower curtain, clips, etc.) | (June 2012) |
| $18.01 | Nursing bra | (June 2012) |
| $12.69 | Cute toothbrush holder, soap dispenser | (June 2012) |
This does not include any gifts given to us, which so far have been a lot, especially in the clothes department. Most maternity and baby clothes we've gotten so far have been hand-me-downs or given at our baby shower. We expect to spend a lot more once the baby is no longer a baby.)
Total back in love: Infinity
So there we have it: the total cost of raising a baby so far. I'll keep the list updated at least once a month, and I'll do my Boy Scout's best to make it all the way to 18 years. If you're still reading my blog by then, I'll owe you a cold one.
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