[iamthepieman]

We estimated that it costs 1.5 million to raise our kids just based on opportunity cost. If we factored in increased health insurance rates, and all the other expenses around having multiple children including needing to own a bigger car and house, factor out the tax credits in the US, it's more like 2.25 million. This is for a very moderate salary estimation for the non-working spouse.

[doubled112]

I'm always confused about the bigger car thing, and I think it's marketing hard at work.

I'm getting myself, my wife, and my two kids to BMX practice (yes, with bikes) in a compact sedan.

What are people filling all that space with? Do you pack like you're crossing the Sahara every time you leave the house?

I came back and added this:

If houses were still built like they used to be, with walls and separation, it'd be easier to fit more people and stuff into fewer square feet, but even a roomy new home feels like there's always somebody with you.

I'd love to move into something small and inexpensive, but my 2 bedroom town home will have to do for the time being. Works just fine for us.

[iamthepieman]

If you have more than 3 kids you need something bigger than a sedan. I was talking about seats, not legroom.

[doubled112]

Or a second car and driver, which is inefficient at best.

Apparently I had forgotten that you can have more than two kids for a moment. I don’t know anybody who does, at this point, just read about them on the Internet.