The second-child math
A practical estimate is that the second child costs about 65% to 80% of the first for many recurring categories, but childcare may stay close to full price. The timing between children matters more than most people expect.
Watch the expensive cliffs
- Two daycare bills at once
- Needing a larger home or different car
- Higher health insurance tier
- Reduced work hours or career pauses
- More help from grandparents becoming less available
Where families save
Hand-me-down clothing, shared bedrooms, reused gear, sibling discounts, bulk food, and experience from the first child can all reduce the second-child curve.