When babies become financial nightmares

Figures estimating the cost of having a child vary.

The Frasier Institute lowballs it at $72,000 to raise a child until 18 (not including housing or childcare), while John Ward, a Kansas economist pegs it closer to $700,000, reports macleans.ca.

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But one thing that’s not up for debate is that the cost of having children is rising, thanks to increasing tuition and childcare costs, the fact that kids are living with parents longer, and inflation.

So if your clients are planning on having children, make sure they crunch the numbers and create a financial plan first.

Here are some articles to help.

Help new parents budget, save

Money management lessons for parents

Higher education is a financial nightmare

A royal baby and your clients’ kids

Boomers risk straining finances to support adult children