Childcare costs?

[DMoney]

Our tax number for 2014 was $20,000 for daycare center for 3 kids + we have extra help a few evenings here and there/date night, so in total about $27,500.

holy bejeezus, that's a lot.

[Longwaytogo]

Our tax number for 2014 was $20,000 for daycare center for 3 kids + we have extra help a few evenings here and there/date night, so in total about $27,500.

holy bejeezus, that's a lot.

Yeah, realizations like this are what spurred me to go the Stay at Home dad route for a few years!!  Started in October of 2012 with 2nd daughter starting kindergarten in Sept 2017. So almost half way there.  Overall I have been Happy with the decision .

[ysette9]

We pay $1100/4 weeks which translates to about $1200/month for our baby at an in-home daycare provider. I consider ourselves lucky to have found a place we are comfortable with for that little money. There were plenty of places I looked at (larger centers) that wanted $2000/month or more. Crazy!

[marryliu]

Good planning.

[gluskap]

We pay $210/week or $10,920/year for an in-home daycare.  We have looked into maybe getting an au pair if we have another kid but not sure if our house is big enough.

[LiveLean]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7. We also got the hell out of NoVA years before having kids. Lots of these posts come from the DC area, an area where we both grew up and an area that now considers it normal to farm your kids out to others while both parents work to sustain a miserable life of marathon stressful commuting and insane COL. Whenever I read Mr. MM ranting about commuting and working to sustain a lifestyle, I often think it's directed at folks in the DC area.

It's like the metaphor of the frog and the boiling water. When I visit friends in the DC area, it makes me want to leave immediately, usually after one afternoon of traffic or dealing with the likes of Dulles or BWI. But those that have lived there continuously -- we're 45 and 46 -- don't realize how much worse it's gradually gotten in the last 15-20 years and that they're being boiled alive.

[Longwaytogo]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7. We also got the hell out of NoVA years before having kids. Lots of these posts come from the DC area, an area where we both grew up and an area that now considers it normal to farm your kids out to others while both parents work to sustain a miserable life of marathon stressful commuting and insane COL. Whenever I read Mr. MM ranting about commuting and working to sustain a lifestyle, I often think it's directed at folks in the DC area.

It's like the metaphor of the frog and the boiling water. When I visit friends in the DC area, it makes me want to leave immediately, usually after one afternoon of traffic or dealing with the likes of Dulles or BWI. But those that have lived there continuously -- we're 45 and 46 -- don't realize how much worse it's gradually gotten in the last 15-20 years and that they're being boiled alive.

I've lived in the DC area my entire life (34 years) and sure I realize how much worse it's got. But on the other hand our houses have mostly all bounced back where as many places people will be underwater forever. My wife is also a teacher here and would take a 20-30K pay cut to move just about anywhere.

I actually think BWi is one of the nicer/easier to navigate airports I've been too. Only been to Dulles once so can't comment on that.

I also am taking 5-6 years off/part time to be a SAHD to avoid the insane daycare costs. We stay in the area because we both have all our families here, like very close. (we are high school sweethearts).

Glad you moved and like your new spot! Our area is full of people bitching non-stop that never make a change.

I think this site has a large DC readership in part because of his 2013 article in the Washington post, seemingly half the people on the forums found the site from that article.

[Pooplips]

$239/wk in Ohio. Infant under 18 mo

[ysette9]

While your child is in the baby and toddler stages, you'll pay more. That's because kids this age need more hands-on care and so the center must hire more caregivers. The average cost of center-based daycare in the United States is $11,666 per year ($972 a month), but prices range from $3,582 to $18,773 a year ($300 to $1,564 monthly),.

Except in high COL areas where it can be $2K+ a month...

But you have to put that in perspective because high cost of living areas usually come with higher salaries. I think a lot about how I want to spend more time with my baby and how my career is getting in the way of it. But you know, it would be a significant sacrifice to walk away from the career I have built for myself (or have my husband do that, for that matter). Yes, daycare is expensive here, but it is nowhere near what we earn.

As much as I want more time with my baby NOW, if I can just suck it up for another 5 years or so, both my husband and I can be with her all day, every day, until we are sick of each other. I constantly remind myself of the big picture. That also means that I am out the door at precisely 16:00 every day to pick her up and I am not going to pursue any career advancement right now that would mean more hours at work. Nothing about this is easy, but that is the balance I have found for the moment.

[justajane]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7.

Just because you made this decision doesn't mean it's the best decision for everyone. Some people prefer to work full time while the kids are little and to dial back when their kids are in school.

I pay for part-time childcare, AND I'm a mostly SAHM. This might make some Mustachian heads explode, but it's a sanity issue for me and our family.

I'm glad you at least said "possibly unnecessary" though.

[firelight]

I pay for childcare because I simply make too much to quit and be home for the sake of finances. Also we prefer to hedge our risk of one person losing his/her job.

Most importantly, I think I'm a better mom when I have adult time in my life and when my baby interacts with new people and grows socially. With so many kids having delayed speech, delayed walking, etc. and more socialization preventing them, I'd pay to give that socialization.

[RunHappy]

This has been very interesting to read.

I am currently looking at child care costs in my area.

When I return to work (January 2016), I am anticipating transitioning into a 100% work from home job.  Because I will not have a commute, I am looking for someone come into my house to mind the baby while I'm in my home office.  For me this means I can spend time with my baby in between meetings.

I'm not sure how to calculate the overall costs, though.  Counting in time off, holidays, etc.  It seems the average in my area is $10-$15/hr depending on experience.  Does anyone have experience with this and calculating the nanny tax?

[mm1970]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7. We also got the hell out of NoVA years before having kids. Lots of these posts come from the DC area, an area where we both grew up and an area that now considers it normal to farm your kids out to others while both parents work to sustain a miserable life of marathon stressful commuting and insane COL. Whenever I read Mr. MM ranting about commuting and working to sustain a lifestyle, I often think it's directed at folks in the DC area.

It's like the metaphor of the frog and the boiling water. When I visit friends in the DC area, it makes me want to leave immediately, usually after one afternoon of traffic or dealing with the likes of Dulles or BWI. But those that have lived there continuously -- we're 45 and 46 -- don't realize how much worse it's gradually gotten in the last 15-20 years and that they're being boiled alive.

Okay, so you totally have me there on the DC thing.  My spouse and I met there (in the Navy) and lived there 5 years (overlapping). We've been gone since 1995 and 1997, and occasionally go back to visit friends and WOW, I forgot about how awful it is there with traffic and work hours and craziness.  We are 44 and 46 (almost 45/47).  My husband's company has an office in NoVa and they are occasionally trying to get him to move there.  The thing is, if we went, any job I got in my field would be INSIDE the beltway and his office is out near Dulles.  So, no way I'm doing that commute.

BUT, to your comment on the "isn't this the MMM site? those numbers are unnecessary!"

Well, yes and no.  MMM retired BEFORE he had kids.
Many of the people here did NOT.
If you are new to MMM, then you are unlikely going to be able to just retire/ quit because you'll be fixing past mistakes.

Or, in my case - we are both high income and yes, our childcare costs are about $20k per year for two kids.  Crazy and unnecessary?  Well, no.
I really have no desire, not the SLIGHTEST to be a FT SAHM.  Could I afford it?  You betcha, which means technically, financially, the expense is unnecessary.
However for my own personal sanity?  It's money well spent.  Yes, after taxes it's about 1/3 of my take home pay. 

[LiveLean]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7. We also got the hell out of NoVA years before having kids. Lots of these posts come from the DC area, an area where we both grew up and an area that now considers it normal to farm your kids out to others while both parents work to sustain a miserable life of marathon stressful commuting and insane COL. Whenever I read Mr. MM ranting about commuting and working to sustain a lifestyle, I often think it's directed at folks in the DC area.

It's like the metaphor of the frog and the boiling water. When I visit friends in the DC area, it makes me want to leave immediately, usually after one afternoon of traffic or dealing with the likes of Dulles or BWI. But those that have lived there continuously -- we're 45 and 46 -- don't realize how much worse it's gradually gotten in the last 15-20 years and that they're being boiled alive.

I've lived in the DC area my entire life (34 years) and sure I realize how much worse it's got. But on the other hand our houses have mostly all bounced back where as many places people will be underwater forever. My wife is also a teacher here and would take a 20-30K pay cut to move just about anywhere.

I actually think BWi is one of the nicer/easier to navigate airports I've been too. Only been to Dulles once so can't comment on that.

I also am taking 5-6 years off/part time to be a SAHD to avoid the insane daycare costs. We stay in the area because we both have all our families here, like very close. (we are high school sweethearts).

Glad you moved and like your new spot! Our area is full of people bitching non-stop that never make a change.

I think this site has a large DC readership in part because of his 2013 article in the Washington post, seemingly half the people on the forums found the site from that article.

BWI = Baltimore's Worst Inconvenience

[Scandium]

Wow, is this the MMM site? Has anyone read Mr. MM on this topic? These expenses are freakin' insane -- and possibly unnecessary.

I dialed back a six-figure career to work from home and my wife took eight years off to be a SAHM when our kids were between birth and 7. We also got the hell out of NoVA years before having kids. Lots of these posts come from the DC area, an area where we both grew up and an area that now considers it normal to farm your kids out to others while both parents work to sustain a miserable life of marathon stressful commuting and insane COL. Whenever I read Mr. MM ranting about commuting and working to sustain a lifestyle, I often think it's directed at folks in the DC area.

It's like the metaphor of the frog and the boiling water. When I visit friends in the DC area, it makes me want to leave immediately, usually after one afternoon of traffic or dealing with the likes of Dulles or BWI. But those that have lived there continuously -- we're 45 and 46 -- don't realize how much worse it's gradually gotten in the last 15-20 years and that they're being boiled alive.

Yes I have read MMM actually. Daycare is $20k per year. This allow my wife and I to work and each make ~$85k+, and all the benefits. Can you tell me where else to get that kind of return?

Oh you say we could move to rural Arkansas and work in city government in soul draining boredom and make $40k, but daycare is only $500/month? Woho what a deal. Sign me up..

Don't forget our area has some of the best public schools, low crime, and lots of kids activities, many free. And all the free DC museums. No I don't love the DC area, but it has some positives. 

[cerebus]

We have a daughter in 2 day a week daycare which is like $4 a morning, while my wife does the household chores. I think it's totally worth it.

Then the 2 boys are in school, and even public school in South Africa costs us around $100 a month. On top of that the oldest boy is in OT at around $900/month. So our annual fees are around $3500. Also there's the petrol cost of getting them to and from school which I'm a bit woolly on the cost of but I'd guess it's a 10km round trip twice a day - unfortunately not possible to bike that one - and one boy is in wrestling at $30 a term, so $120 a year. There are also school uniform costs and random school things that they spring on you.

[I'm a red panda]

Yes I have read MMM actually. Daycare is $20k per year. This allow my wife and I to work and each make ~$85k+, and all the benefits. Can you tell me where else to get that kind of return?

Exactly. If the second earner makes $30k a year, then 20k in daycare isn't worth the job- be a SAHP.  But if the second earner makes $80k (or even something like $60k) then it becomes a personal decision about whether they want to be at home or not.

It may be an unnecessary expense, but for a high income earner, the expense allows a lot of more money to come in.

And not everyone has interest in being a SAH parent