First they take our sleep, then they take our money. A new study found that raising a child now costs an average of $252,000 in the U.S.  That works out to $14,000 a year for 18 years.

Here’s how it breaks down . . .

1.  Housing costs the most.  An average of $3,971 extra each year.
2.  Food, $2,482 a year.
3.  Child care and education, $2,280.  That includes day care, babysitters, and school expenses.  But not college, or private school.
4.  Transportation, $2,127.
5.  Healthcare, $1,302.
6.  Clothing, $795 a year.
7.  Miscellaneous expenses, $1,047.  That’s everything from toys to haircuts.

All those stats are based on people with two kids . . . so $14,000 per kid, or $28,000 a year.  If you only have one, it costs about $17,800 a year.  And if you have three, it costs less . . . about $10,600 per child.

It took me longer than it should have to realize the cost goes down the more kids you have because you still only have one house. Please note I never claimed math was my thing.

—  Jenn