How much did/does your second baby cost?

[AwesomeFoursome]

I think it is as expensive as you make it. Some people have to have everything new, some people will use hand downs. Some people use private schools and some use public schools. I don't think one more cost much more, well it hasn't for us anyway. My kids will all go to a catholic school, do sport, yes they have hand downs but they don't miss out on anything and we are on a low income ATM, I'm a sahm and DH is doing factory work.

[LuluHB]

DD2 didn't cost too much to begin with. Having two the same gender saved us a fortune in clothing (the initial huge costs were my fault though given my inability to stop buying cute baby stuff!). Small expenses in topping up the nappy stash etc but otherwise pretty good.

When it did get expensive is around the 2.5 yr old stage. Two kids doing swimming lessons, or gym classes, or dancing classes or whatever is a big price increase. They stop being able to share/hand down clothes so that increases. Now that both are at private school (again, our choice so its not necessarily an expense you HAVE to have) there's another big chunk out of our budget.

We had the same thoughts you're having when we were discussing the pros and cons of a #3. We probably can't afford it but we'll make it work.

[Calluna]

So really it's just living with MIL that is the issue?

A FB friend said for them it's an extra 40- 60 a week (with formula which I won't be using). Does that sound about right? We could manage that.

[LuluHB]

I think the estimate would depend on age. If you've still got your cot, car seat, cloth nappies, you're breastfeeding and you've got more self control than me with baby clothing then for the first six months or so there's really nothing to buy. After that you've got start of solids which let's face it, they still eat nothing. I would think until you're talking 2yr + that's probably a generous estimate.

[Calluna]

Hmm will have to have a proper talk with DF then, about what we will need to buy and our spending. At the momenT we go out for dinner one a week, but if we stopped that we could easily afford the extra a week. What to do about MIL...

EEEK!

[LuluHB]

What to do about MIL...

EEEK!

If you work that one out can you let me know please

[Calluna]

[Shanti]

Having two girls has saved HEAPS of money as DD2 wears all her clothes she's outgrown!!! It's awesome....

I think having two boys or two girls would have to be cheaper than having one of each....Kwim?

[Ambersky]

I agree with the others, its what ever you let it be.. We made the decision before we had any kids that we would not do private school as we wanted at least 3 kids, so we looked at schools when we chose where to live. I buy a few extra bits of clothes to top up DD2s wardrobe as the girls have been different seasons. I Op Shop where i can, use Gumtree and local pages for bigger stuff. We upgraded DD1s car seat so DD2 could have the babyseat. This time round we will be getting a second (larger) car, but that was always in the plan so we have been saving so we will have the cash for it. My cloth nappy stash will be on to the 3rd baby with just a few binned and replaced along the way, I reckon i have spend $800 on a pretty big stash.. but thats nothing to the cost of 3+ kids in sposies.
I have a budget of about $200 for the bits i need for belly babe, a new change mat, a few new towels, and I'll get a few clothes bits if bubs a boy (not a whole new batch by any means).