At what age do kids get expensive? - Page 2

AzNMpower32 · #11 10-28-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOVAX5

You forgot something, when he is 18 and goes to college. He needs a BMW X3 of about $40K. Now thats expensive.

Actually, UVa does NOT permit freshmen to "operate vehicles on campus". In reality, that just means you cannot get a parking permit. I have been scraping along on my bike and by foot to many places around C-ville for awhile now, but I'm far more adventurous than most freshmen. I have a odometer installed on my bicycle and it registers over 400 miles since school started.

However, at this point I have plans to park my vehicle on a nearby street that isn't permit restricted. If I take Golf next semester, since it is located at a local country club, my parents relented to let me have the X3. Plus, the $53 bus tickets every other week to/from home start adding up. My dad already has a Miata (his mid-life crisis car) he can drive to work or take metro on poor weather days.

I was gonna just pick up a E39 or E46 in the spring for about $20k. But well, 4 cars just doesn't make sense, (no) thanks to my dad. My dad gets tired of cars after 3-4 years, and the X is a bit cumbersome for my mom. and honestly, I like the E83 better than the E90.

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Meiac09 · #12 10-30-2007, 07:26 PM

I'm in the same boat, only UMO (U-Maine) isn't even on my radar screen.

it seems that the meter goes nuts around 14-or so, travel soccer is about $2 grand a year plus incidentals and then add cell phones, ipods, laptops, overpriced jeans...
at 16, add $1500 for insurance and a $20,000-$30,000 car. (to either buy them one or give them the 2 year old suburban) plus gas money since getting good grades doesn't seem to work with working off the bill. Then, plan some trips to colleges ($500-$1000 a pop) and then college. ($45k is a BASE price, how many of your X's don't have premium package and some other add ons here and there)

I found a 1997 4runner RWD I plan to run around college, its cheaper than the gas going 1,200 miles to and from school, even with gas and plane tickets.

motordavid · #13 10-30-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebound

The day after conception.

+2...

My Daughter turns the big 40 this Dec. and my Son is
37. They don't hit me up like they used to, but there is
always that simmering in the background.

And, our estate is planned to go to them anyhoo; I just
want whatever is left to get to them with the least taxable
burden possilble but, I want that to occur in about 25+ years

.

Good question actually; mine are so far removed from childhood,
college, etc., that it's hard to give cogent commentary on today's
econ world of raising a kid.

I would rec'd really good/large term insurance for you and your wife,
Long Term Disablity ins for you and spouse, (if she works). Start banging
a good 529 college fund or some other college savings vehicle, etc. And,
make the lil' one buy his own damn Bronze X5 with aero kit.
GL,mD

vinuneuro · #14 10-30-2007, 09:48 PM

Don't be so quick to go with private schools, K-12. My education was split about 50/50 between private and public. I really believe that sending your child to a private school from K-12 would not only be an utter waste of money, but would also be a disservice to him.

There is absolutely no way a kid who spends his/her life entirely in private schools is going have the same exposure as one that also went through the public education system. Public schools are simply so much more diverse. Imo, the only worthwhile phase of education to go private would be highschool. Not only that, there are some outstanding public schools out there.

Do your research on both. The excelling public schools will mathc or out do the mediocre private ones. However, the really good private school cannot be touched. Looking at what colleges the seniors graduated to is a pretty good indication of a private school's caliber. Same way, there are rankings available for public schools and recognitions such as Blue Ribbon award that indicate a public school's quality.

Good luck.

CGSTL · #15 10-30-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

+2...
... And, make the lil' one "buy his own damn Bronze X5 with aero kit."
GL,mD

And I thought, "Don't taz me, Bro!" had legs...

rebound · #16 10-31-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Don't be so quick to go with private schools, K-12. My education was split about 50/50 between private and public. I really believe that sending your child to a private school from K-12 would not only be an utter waste of money, but would also be a disservice to him.

There is absolutely no way a kid who spends his/her life entirely in private schools is going have the same exposure as one that also went through the public education system. Public schools are simply so much more diverse. Imo, the only worthwhile phase of education to go private would be highschool. Not only that, there are some outstanding public schools out there.

Do your research on both. The excelling public schools will mathc or out do the mediocre private ones. However, the really good private school cannot be touched. Looking at what colleges the seniors graduated to is a pretty good indication of a private school's caliber. Same way, there are rankings available for public schools and recognitions such as Blue Ribbon award that indicate a public school's quality.

Good luck.

+1

My kids have always been in public schools (with the short exception of preschool). We thought long and hard about what we were going to do when our first was old enough.

At the end of the day, we went with PS, for the reasons stated above. Are there drawbacks and some things not available at a PS? Sure. But I really believe kids are better able to deal with the "real world" after PS - because they are exposed to more, both good and bad. It's important for a kid to see that there's bad things out there, and how to deal with it in an adult manner.

So far, it's worked fine. Both kids are honors students, involved in leadership programs, and get offers to travel to D.C. for youth leadership programs. Seems fine to me.

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