The Unexpected Expenses Of Having A Teenager
It may seem like the moment your child was born, you wallet opened up and money began to fly out. From all of the expenses of a newborn, through preschool and the preteen years, there seems like there is always stuff to buy. Kids have amazingly active social lives and all of these parties and extracurricular usually cost money. You may be thinking as kids get older, the costs may slow down, but that is not always the case. Once kids are teens, there is no break in the things they want or need for school, socializing and in some cases, for their health. The good news is, as they get older, they may be able to help pay for many of these things. Social expenses can be offset by a part-time, after-school job. Even younger kids who are not able to handle work outside of the home can pitch in with household chores; if not paying for things they need, at least making your life a little easier. One of the main expenses you may find is needed is braces. If you have a child, there is a good chance a dentist will tell you your child will need braces? A dentistry practice will help you make the right choice when it comes to giving your child the perfect smile.
If kids attend school, if it is public schooling and supposedly free, plenty of costs may arise. If your child has an active social life at school and wants to participate in clubs, there are likely to be costs involved. School clubs often have dues and when special events arise, kids often pay out-of-pocket to participate. Even if there are no expenses specifically related to the club, there may be extra costs associated with staying after the school and after school snacks.
If it seems like every year you are handing over a pile of money for a new yearbook, it is probably because you are. Every school year kids are issued a yearbook with photos of fellow students, teachers and advertisements from local retailers. Yearbooks are a great memento to have from the high school years, but they are lot pricier now than they were when us parents were in school. While you may be tempted to tell your child she does not need a yearbook from every year she attended school, it could lead to a huge fight; so instead, consider having them offset the cost of this year's book by doing some extra chores around the home.
Most parents have at least the occasional run-in with teens about personal style. More often than not, the argument is due to the high cost of a clothing item they want to buy based on current trends. Many of these trendy items are overpriced, especially when you take into consideration the item may not be worn for more than a few months. If your child is begging for the latest fad in clothing, help them find alternative ways to pay for the item so the cost does not hit you.
Finally, as your child moves into his or her later teen years, they may get the inclination to travel. School trips can often be expensive when you have teens. Weigh the cost against the life experience your child will gain and you may find it is worth pinching some pennies.
About the Author
Stewart Wrighter visited an Elkhart dentist on his last trip to the Midwest to study what new techniques are being used. For more information on dentists go to http://watkinsfamilydentistry.com/ .
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