I always thought babies where the priciest with all their gear and growing out of new clothes so quickly but now I'm starting to wonder if teenagers will beat out those costs fast.

What period of a child's life (from birth to 21) did you find the most expensive?

__________________

I definitely think older kids are more expensive (especially if you do not have daycare costs for your little ones!) The older ones have all kinds of things they need for school, sports fees, certain shoes (or pants, or phones, or whatever!) that they have to have! Heck, it cost me $400 just for my daughter to play on a volleyball league!!

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

I have 2 dss ages 24 and 21. The college years have been by far the most expensive but if you take out the college tuition then it would be between 16 and 18. Senior year was VERY expensive. I don't know what we will do when my daughter is a senior.

I have an 11 yr old son and he is costing me the earth this year. $20 here for an academic team meet, $12 for a field trip, that's just this past week I am really scared to see what will happen next year in jr. high.

I know my ds 16 is costing us so much money I can't even thing straight! It is unreal. Plus my dh said if you play highschool baseball we will pay for your gas and entertainment ....I don't eally agree with this totally but he is the head of household so I am like ok.... I think there is diffenently a different approach to all of it but am hoping he will figure that out.

__________________

my girls are only 5 and 7 and they are spendy!! field trips here and there and Sports!! and clothes cost more now!!! It seems to go up as they get older!! I know Gymnastics is costing more as she is getting to a new level!!

__________________
Kelly mom to 3 great girls A Peanut, a monkey and a little burrito.

My mom has always said that teenagers are way more expensive. Espeically High School seniors. There is so much involved in a senior year that costs money!

__________________
Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

MY BLOG!

My daughter is 13. Now that she is back in public school it is just crazy! I had to pay $20.00 just for a t-shirt for graduation from middle school. I think with girls it is also higher because she is all about the NAMES on her clothes. She claims she cannot go to her school without very expensive name brands. My son is 15 and all he wants is money. For what I have no idea. At this age they go out with their friends and I guess I must be the only parent that just doesn't have enough to keep in with the Jones'. Last time he went out it cost me $50.00. For what I have no idea because he comes home with out anything and no money left. I feel like I won the lottery when I get $20.00 back. Between movies, dates, and food I am going broke! Teens in public school really do cost more money! Good luck with yours!
MissyMoo :love:

I think Junior and Senior years in High School are horribly expensive. In some states, child support is modified depending on the age of the child. Infants and older teens are awarded a higher percentage of child support money.

__________________
"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

The teenage years are the most expensive if you didn't have daycare expenses for them when they were young (which I didn't). If you did have to use daycare, then probably the preschool age is the most.