daycare for more than 1

how do you afford it? i mean what ways do you cut back?

we are about to start DD (#2) in daycare and for both, full time, we are looking at between 2800-3000 per month depending on number of days in the month. Add to that mortgage, taxes, bills yadda yadda ... it just sucks.

Of course we knew what we were getting into but of course we worry. We wont be saving much of anything over the next 2 years while we have 2 in daycare.

Any ideas on ways to save? There is a lot of cutting back that we can do and we will, just wondering if there are some not so obvious ways

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My jaw just hit the floor when I read how much it's going to cost you per month. Holy sh1t!!

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We spend that much on our two girls.

We spend 70% of our take home pay on day care, rent, and food. We spend very little on entertainment / leisure. No big vacations (long weekends here and there) and date nights once every few months. Our car is paid off so we just pay for insurance and a parking spot (live in Manhattan). We have no debt except about $5k in student loans. Having no debt really helps. We created a zero balance budget which means we have allocated every penny that we make. Down to sinking funds for clothes, haircuts, gifts, etc.

We live very comfortably and even have some luxuries in our budget. But DH and I are constantly talking about the budget so that we stay within it. Once our girls are in school (hopefully public!) I won't know what to do with the extra money! Gosh I can't wait!

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It rough. We did double daycare for 2 years and had a brief break but now back to the over $2500 a month in care

i really dont know how we do it but i know that saving is not happening

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We aren't there yet (we are planning on trying to get pregnant this summer) but we were just talking about how it may be cheaper to try and find someone to come to the house when we get to 2 in daycare. Even with the discount for the 2nd child its not much of a savings....

Why can't we hit the lottery???

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We have a friend watch our kids at our house 3 days a week and my inlaws 2 days a week. It was so much cheaper than putting both in the daycare after DS #2 was born.

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We will be paying the same amount when I go back, plus gas costs me about $250/month because I have a longish commute. We already never go on vacation, rarely eat out, etc. We changed cable companies to cut our bill in half. I'd love to hear other suggestions as well. All I know is that we're going to feel RICH when they're in school, lol.

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i have no idea, but i sort of gagged when I read that dollar amount.

DS is 3.5 and in daycare 2 days a week (as I am unemployed and became a SAHM); I do have a home based business so technically Im self employed so it helps me greatly to have him there 2 days right now. I just think back to his newborn days when i worked full time and at 3 days a week it was over $800 a month. That was with my mom watching him 2 days.

I'd like to try for # 2 so I guess its not so bad by the time that one comes along DS wont be in daycare much longer.

Hugs to you...

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If you don't mind me asking where are you doing daycare. We do in home, licensed, daycare and pay about $1,900.00 a month. Maybe that's an option for you. I found mine on the Nassau child care website.

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Im sorry, I really dont have any tips. Maybe cut back on your 401k? I may have to do that if I want a 3rd. It sucks but if I didnt work I would have a zero contribution so that makes me feel better about possibly reducing the contribution.

I pay $1700/month for 2 babies - 4 days. It would be $2,100 for 5 days.

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I am terrified for 3
The only thing I can say is take a look at your spending for the month. I was surprised how much $ we spent on unnecessary things.

daycare for more than 1

We use a home, licensed daycare. We aren't FT but I know it would be much less than that if we were. Most of the time we pay hourly. But if I had both of my kids in for a full day it would be $50/child. I'm pretty sure she discounts more with FT families. I would explore other options.

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Would you ever consider a nanny?
Holy cow....that's a lot of money!

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How dh and I are going to pay for 2 starting in september is beyond me. We need full time (plus early drop off) for 2 and the price is insane. Essentially almost my entire paycheck will be going to daycare and how we are paying for everything else is beyond me. It's really insane!

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well you know we are in the same boat.. we pay $2700 per month for both kids.

We already dont have any movie channels.

No iphones. (my cell costs $50 per month and Pauls's is work phone so it's free)

WE NEVER GO OUT!!

We cook everynight.. maybe pizza once ever 2weeks

We bring lunch everyday.

I dont get nails done ever.. and rarely get my hair cuts.

never buy clothes

and NO MORE VACATIONS FOR TWO YEARS!!!

We have a great backyard and a pool so we will have STAYATIONS for two years.

OH AND THE BIGGY... OUR TAX RETURN GETS PUT IN THE BANK FOR DAYCARE!!! If it wasn't for that.. we probably wouldn't be able to pay for it.

Message edited 3/28/2013 7:31:32 AM.

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I would seriously look into other daycare options that are more affordable. I think those numbers would eat up DHs salary and it would make more sense for him to stay home (I make more than DH). I'm looking into daycare licensed but in the home. I've also considered nanny's, baby sitters etc because we only need it part time. Good luck. I know you will make it work!!!

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We use a certified in home daycare which was about 1/2 the cost of the big centers when I was looking.

It's still a lot but I know its only temporary and I just keep thinking about how rich I will feel when we have no more daycare payments

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You are paying more than I pay for private Montessori School Full time here in CT which starts at 18 mos! I would look into some other options... that seems like a lot! I know the baby should be more but there are even centers sere that start Montessori environments at 3 mos!

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Just wanted to interject something..maymamma and I went tot he same daycare.. we know how crazy the prices are however.. we love our daycares so switching daycares...is not the option or even what's shes asking....how to better spend and cut back on $$$.

sorry if i stepped on your toes Maymamma.....

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Thanks all. We explored many many option. This is actually the second daycare we have used and though its expensive we chose it for certain reasons. There is a 1/2 acre play space in the back yard with just about every creative and play opportunity available. He also has full access to about 1000 sq feet inside vs the traditional classroom setting which I am not a huge fan of. All food is provided and home cooked (a lot of it organic) so while we can afford it, we will. If the time comes that we need to find a place less expensive, we will. This place is also his home away from home. He has become so attached and they have of him. It's a small 8-10 kid in home and that's the environment we'd like if we can afford it

Just looking for some way to save at home!!!

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omg that is rough. I know others have said it as well, but I would consider looking into a Nanny if that is an option. My sister has 3 and is actually paying less now that she hired a nanny vs. having 2 in daycare.

If that is not an option then I would cut back in other areas like going out to eat, and shopping.