At what age do kids get expensive?

NOVAX5 · #1 10-27-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

How expensive depends on how you teach your children. Teaching them to use what they have wisely (money, clothes, toys) early on prevents them from being a big financial drain later on. For starters, don't buy them too many toys. The teenage years get real expensive (from middle-school on) since he'll probably need new clothes every year due to growth. That, plus a growing appetite. Oh, and then college is a big hit (needless to say).

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

Anyway, kids get real expensive as soon as they start middle school. Because in elementary school, they tend to follow your rules nicely. But as soon as they go to middle school, things will get kind of out of hand of what they demand based on what their friends have. For example, I bought 2 iPods and 2 Cellphones in 6 months ($1K total) because the last one dated as my daugter said.

AzNMpower32 · #2 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.