Costs of Caring and Protecting Your Family

Have you ever considered the costs of protecting and caring for your family? Most people don’t think of the actual costs of protecting and caring for a family before they start a family or even while raising it. Here are some of the costs you will face to protect and care for your family.

Medical Expenses

The cost of healthcare in the United States is a constant hot topic. The costs of health insurance, deductibles, and other expenses are high but necessary. One of the best ways to care for your family and protect them is to ensure they get the medical care they deserve. Children and adults should have a team of care providers, including a primary care doctor, a dentist, and an eye doctor.

According to the CDC, between the ages of 2 and 11, about 42% of children will develop cavities. Other childhood illnesses are also prevalent in this age group. Medical care is necessary for your family. According to the experts, medical care accounts for 9% of the costs for the care and protection of your family.

Education and Child Care Expenses

Education can be ‘free’ via the public school system, but is it free? According to the experts, you can expect to pay about $30,000 over your child’s lifetime for childcare costs and education (if they go to public school). Of course, if your child has special needs, that cost can be much higher.

According to the CDC, about one out of forty-four children are diagnosed with autism. The cost of care and education can rise significantly for a child with special needs. According to the USDA, the cost of child care and education consumes about 16% of a family’s budget.

Environmental Safety Expenses

Keeping your home safe for your family can get expensive. Energy costs are at the top of the expense chart. About 20% of homes use wood to meet part of their heating needs, while 4% of homes in the United States depend completely on wood for heat, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Wood is one of the most economical ways to heat your home; however, it requires more effort and more maintenance to keep your home safe when using wood.

Other home expenses that add to the cost of keeping your family safe and protected include security systems, pest control, home maintenance, and repairs. It will account for about 22% of your budget.

Transportation Expenses

Most families in the United States pay about $2,200 a year in transportation costs, which include vehicle maintenance, fuel, and repairs. That figure does not include depreciation of the vehicle or vehicle payments if your vehicle is financed. Only about 41% of the U.S. population has access to public transportation; everyone else depends on private transportation.

Transportation costs add up to about 15% of the costs of caring for and protecting your family. Of course, this number is much lower if you live in an area where you have access to public transportation.

Clothing, Meals, And Other Expenses

Nutritious meals are essential to good health. The cost of food varies with inflation. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average cost of feeding a single child per month is $126 per month. However, even the USDA admits that is a conservative estimate. Food is one of the biggest costs for any family. It can consume 23% of your monthly income.

Of course, your family needs the proper seasonal clothing to ensure they are protected from the elements. Clothing costs are estimated to be about $700 per year per person in your family, making up about 7% of spending. If you pay for extracurricular activities and entertainment, that cost can be about 12% of your spending.

The cost to care for and protect your family is not cheap, but in the end, every dime you spend to protect and care for your family is worth it. Budget for the expected and the unexpected.