We know that college age is the most expensive (if you plan on helping out) but what about the other ages.

I use to think that babies were the most expensive.
Grew out of the clothes fast.
Lots of diapers (cloth or disposable)
Short term items (cribs, baby baths, baby chairs, car seats)
Daycare (for those who needed it)
Formula (for those who used it)

But now that I have school age getting into the teen years, yipes!
Their activities are outrageous - so much so that for now they take turns doing an activity and I've been looking for ways to increase our income so they can both do something at the same time.
Our food expenses have skyrocketed.
Allowances so they can have some spending money.
Clothes for bigger kids are expensive .. yes there are used but not much available for the pre-teen boy as I think most of them wear out of their clothes.

And looking at the coming teen years!

For those with grown kids, what did you find the most expensive years?

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Teen years -- they have the social desire to keep up with their peers. Not to mention, driver's ed, car insurance, sports, the fact that they eat more, etc. The list goes on and on. They are also at the age that they're more likely to get into legal trouble - though that isn't all of them, thankfully.

Teens, by far. We buy a lot of things for babies that they don't need. While I understand that there are moms that can't or do not desire to breastfeed, one can save a lot of money there. All you really need for a baby is food, diapers, clothes, car seat, crib a few cheap toys. All those other things are handy, and nice if you can afford it. How did Ma Ingal get by? Baby clothes are so cheap at yardsales, and babies don't care what they wear.

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I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882

Oh teen years have been WAY more expensive for me. Babies/toddlers don't really have many activities and if they do they're not that expensive. And I could always buy clothes on sale or off season to save money since they didn't care what I put on them.

I think grade school is more expensive than babies/toddlers because you're having to buy school supplies and at least in IN we pay for school books (I know from previous threads most states don't do this). Plus by that time our kids were doing sports with club fees, uniforms, pictures, coaches gifts etc.

But I personally think teens are WAY more expensive. Both of my kids when they got to HS had to have cell phones because they were doing after school sports and they got out at variable times. Their sports are more expensive...we've probably already paid $500 for DS's football this year (yes, the one where he stands on the sidelines ) for parent's club fees, buying shoes, mouthguard, gloves, camp, spiritwear, etc. And of course he eats like a horse!! My DD is of course in college and we won't even go there but even when in HS she sucked tons of money off for cello lessons ($45 a wk), fees to play in the HS orchestra, plus several hundred dollars to play in an area wide youth orchestra, for cross country expenses (not as bad as football...but still), etc. Then of course there's homecoming clothes (our school dresses up) and prom clothes and going out with friends. There has been a continuous money sucking sound in our house for quite a few years now!!

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Teen definately!

My twins are 12 YO 7th graders, and I have to agree with the teen years. Their activities, food, etc. are becoming more expensive. The cheaper years for me were the elementary years.

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Michele
Member of the Welcome Wagon
http://mommysavers.com/boards/how-navigate-mommysavers/

The teen years have been more expensive for us.

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DS-16
DD-13
DD-5
DS-3

I have no experience with teens and we're just starting school age. I'm guessing teens are the most expensive. Judging from your replies, that sounds right.

Teens. She's almost 16 now.

I should say though, that I never had daycare expenses (my dad was retired by the time I had her, so he watched her while I was in college, etc.).

My Friend And I Always Joke about How Cheap and easy Life was when We Only Had Babies and Toddlers!

And Her and I Both Agree that The Ages From about 12 - 16 are the Toughest Ones! They want it all and they have no Money.
I Think After that Age it Gets a Teeny bit easier , cause Kids can get a Job then , and Start Helping out With expenses they are incurring!