"Daycare Costs Are Outrageous!" How Do You Respond??

[mac60]

Of coarse I am deducting all I can and I do understand there are good tax right offs.

When it comes to ac/heat....I am open from 6 to 5:15. I have our home comfortable with the heat/ac during this time. Today we are inside because heat index is to be 105. While in the end, I can deduct 41% of my utilities, I do not feel that that is "fair" for lack of another word. Open from 11+ hours day, heat/ac on to a comfortable level, at 9:30 when we go to bed the heat gets turned down or air gets turned up, my biggest expense of the day in running my utilities is the 11 + hours I am open for my daycare 5 days a week. Did that make sense. So while I can deduct a % of my utilities, I am still using more than I am deducting as I see it.

And as for the wear and tear on my home, when a kid vomits on my carpet, I can deduct nothing except the shampoo I use to clean it up. I can't deduct the time spent repeatedly cleaning the area day after day after hours to get the smell out, running the fan for 2 days straight to dry it, etc. I can not tell you how many times I have had to shampoo vomit out of my carpet after hours. I guess I can chalk it up to the hidden cost of my job.

[SilverSabre25]

Of coarse I am deducting all I can and I do understand there are good tax right offs.

When it comes to ac/heat....I am open from 6 to 5:15. I have our home comfortable with the heat/ac during this time. Today we are inside because heat index is to be 105. While in the end, I can deduct 41% of my utilities, I do not feel that that is "fair" for lack of another word. Open from 11+ hours day, heat/ac on to a comfortable level, at 9:30 when we go to bed the heat gets turned down or air gets turned up, my biggest expense of the day in running my utilities is the 11 + hours I am open for my daycare 5 days a week. Did that make sense. So while I can deduct a % of my utilities, I am still using more than I am deducting as I see it.

And as for the wear and tear on my home, when a kid vomits on my carpet, I can deduct nothing except the shampoo I use to clean it up. I can't deduct the time spent repeatedly cleaning the area day after day after hours to get the smell out, running the fan for 2 days straight to dry it, etc. I can not tell you how many times I have had to shampoo vomit out of my carpet after hours. I guess I can chalk it up to the hidden cost of my job.

You can deduct the time you spend...you can add it to your time/space percentage. Anything you do after hours can be added.

[mac60]

Oh, mac, don't depress me...$85/week is the going rate, really? ARGH! I can't live on $85/week for these kids, and I have two spots to fill. A year ago I was full w/ waiting list for $120 a week. *sigh*

Although, I did email a few providers from CL who have zip codes near me and they are all charging the same or more than what I charge so maybe the trend will reverse itself? Soon? Maybe?

Unfortunately yes, average for home daycares here. The centers are a little more, but here home dc are typically less than a center. And seriously, people crap about this. I recently had a family of 2 schoolagers leave after 7 years because they thought $55 a week was too much for 2 kids schoolage care. Ugg, the center would of charged them $90 at one and $75 at the other. Some just want it for nothing.

[blessedmess8]

You can deduct the time you spend...you can add it to your time/space percentage. Anything you do after hours can be added.

Yes! And you can deduct the supplies used to clean it, if you rent/buy a cleaner. You can deduct depreciation on your home (and DON'T let a tx preparer tell you that you can't!!) I know we all deduct, but I only asked b/c I recently attended a Tom Copeland training on the subject and was pretty floored on how many deductions I was missing out on and all the things my tax preparer didn't even know about!! Are you able to be on a food program?? I don't see how people make anything if they aren't! Food is my biggest expense!!!

[mac60]

Our accountant recommended not depreciating our home, as it is a negative should you sell, and I am planning to get out of dodge in a very few years. It's is funny how different tax accountants offer all the different suggestions as to what and what not to do.

[Stacy214]

Just tell them "well wait till you have to pay for college" they'll shut up Cause if you don't think they are getting an education here with us then they are sadly mistaken.

[Country Kids]

Actually I saw on the news a few days ago that in some parts of the country childcare is equivalent in costs for a year as sending a child to a public university about $18,000 dollars a year!!!!

[Stacy214]

So true! Here in NC we have the higher cost university (Elon, Duke and UNC) so this line works for me if any of my kids want to stay in state ...tuition can go upwards into $35,000 plus range, bleh...then add room and board and books, meals...insane. I charge $140 a week, and they don't complain

[Meeko]

I tend six siblings. Their day care is paid for by the state. Four of the kids are back in school now, so the mom gets less on her card for day care. She now has to pay me $280 per month out of her own pocket for SIX kids (that's just $46 per MONTH for each kid) and she hasn't stopped griping for days.......the entitlement attitude never ends.....

[Unregistered]

Value Not Worth The Expense

I do not drive a brand new car. I can not afford Starbucks, or expensive coffee. I haven't haven't been able to buy myself a new pair of shoes in 4 years. I am a 42-year-old college student. I have a wife, who I love with all my heart, and a 4-year-old son who is the reason I breathe. I am that person complaining about the high cost of daycare. Without it, I don't have anyone to watch my son, but we can't afford it.

On the average, the cost is $151 per week. Per WEEK!?!? Seriously? At 4 years old, for 2 hours 4 days a week. That's 8 hours per week. $20 per hour to watch him play with other kids. $20 per hour to text on your phone, or check your FB status, or 'act' like something beneficial is happening. I'm not worried about education at 4. I take care of that at home.

In my honest opinion, every loser who couldn't get a real job opens a daycare, and then thinks it's ok to charge that amount they do, for the 'benefit' of having them watch our children. I would love nothing more than to stay home and raise my son. But, the world demands I have money. Well...I won't be giving it to any of the blood ****ing 'day-bee-sitters'.

[SilverSabre25]

I do not drive a brand new car. I can not afford Starbucks, or expensive coffee. I haven't haven't been able to buy myself a new pair of shoes in 4 years. I am a 42-year-old college student. I have a wife, who I love with all my heart, and a 4-year-old son who is the reason I breathe. I am that person complaining about the high cost of daycare. Without it, I don't have anyone to watch my son, but we can't afford it.

On the average, the cost is $151 per week. Per WEEK!?!? Seriously? At 4 years old, for 2 hours 4 days a week. That's 8 hours per week. $20 per hour to watch him play with other kids. $20 per hour to text on your phone, or check your FB status, or 'act' like something beneficial is happening. I'm not worried about education at 4. I take care of that at home.

In my honest opinion, every loser who couldn't get a real job opens a daycare, and then thinks it's ok to charge that amount they do, for the 'benefit' of having them watch our children. I would love nothing more than to stay home and raise my son. But, the world demands I have money. Well...I won't be giving it to any of the blood ****ing 'day-bee-sitters'.

No offense sir, but if you are paying $151 a week for 8 hours of care, that is patently ridiculous and you should look for other care

[momofboys]

I do not drive a brand new car. I can not afford Starbucks, or expensive coffee. I haven't haven't been able to buy myself a new pair of shoes in 4 years. I am a 42-year-old college student. I have a wife, who I love with all my heart, and a 4-year-old son who is the reason I breathe. I am that person complaining about the high cost of daycare. Without it, I don't have anyone to watch my son, but we can't afford it.

On the average, the cost is $151 per week. Per WEEK!?!? Seriously? At 4 years old, for 2 hours 4 days a week. That's 8 hours per week. $20 per hour to watch him play with other kids. $20 per hour to text on your phone, or check your FB status, or 'act' like something beneficial is happening. I'm not worried about education at 4. I take care of that at home.

In my honest opinion, every loser who couldn't get a real job opens a daycare, and then thinks it's ok to charge that amount they do, for the 'benefit' of having them watch our children. I would love nothing more than to stay home and raise my son. But, the world demands I have money. Well...I won't be giving it to any of the blood ****ing 'day-bee-sitters'.

That is very harsh. I think you will find on average MOST providers are very highly educated & your comment is very condescending & belittling (I have a 4-year degree & have had several offers for jobs outside of the home but I choose to be at home with my family & MAKE LESS $$ because I value time with my kids). You admit you need childcare but think the person caring for your child doesn't deserve to be decently paid. I agree your rates seem high for the few # of hours; however, typically providers can't fill in hours around when your child isn't there & your child is likely taking up a FT spot. So I really don't think your provider's rates are that outlandish. Find someone else who is more in your price-range if you aren't happy.

[bunnyslippers]

I do not drive a brand new car. I can not afford Starbucks, or expensive coffee. I haven't haven't been able to buy myself a new pair of shoes in 4 years. I am a 42-year-old college student. I have a wife, who I love with all my heart, and a 4-year-old son who is the reason I breathe. I am that person complaining about the high cost of daycare. Without it, I don't have anyone to watch my son, but we can't afford it.

On the average, the cost is $151 per week. Per WEEK!?!? Seriously? At 4 years old, for 2 hours 4 days a week. That's 8 hours per week. $20 per hour to watch him play with other kids. $20 per hour to text on your phone, or check your FB status, or 'act' like something beneficial is happening. I'm not worried about education at 4. I take care of that at home.

In my honest opinion, every loser who couldn't get a real job opens a daycare, and then thinks it's ok to charge that amount they do, for the 'benefit' of having them watch our children. I would love nothing more than to stay home and raise my son. But, the world demands I have money. Well...I won't be giving it to any of the blood ****ing 'day-bee-sitters'.

You sir, are misinformed. I had an incredibly high-powered career as a school administrator. I gave that career up to open my child care, in order to be home raising my own children. It is a decision anyone can make. It is all in your priorities as a parent, and as a career person in the workforce.

There is no need to insult all of the dedicated child care providers by calling us losers. Insulting people really only makes you look unintelligent, ignorant, and bitter.

[LaLa1923]

No offense sir, but if you are paying $151 a week for 8 hours of care, that is patently ridiculous and you should look for other care

1. There's always 2 sides to the story..... Do you really think those are the only hours his child is in care??

2. It would depend on the times. If I had someone come in the middle of the day that child still takes a spot...

[canadiancare]

I've only had one parent that I ever felt begrudged me my fees. She also commented once when she asked for an extension that my husband makes good money so if she was late it shouldn't matter.

I didn't keep her long after that.