
Hi, my name is Sara and I’m a mum of one.
Something I never really thought of when pregnant with my son was how much he was going to cost. We opted for private care so there goes thousands of dollars before your baby even arrives.
Then there is the grocery bill that has doubled, the day care fees that are astronomical, and the clothing that isn't cheap either, even if you indulge in the joyous world of Kmart.
There's no denying it. Children are expensive.
Watch: The five money lessons your parents told you that you should probably forget. Post continues after video.
Now that I am almost 30, I can happily say I have been financially independent from my parents for years, but it wasn’t a, "You’re 18 now. No more money for you. Enjoy being an adult," situation.
My parents sent me off to university and helped to pay my university fees as HELP loans weren’t available to non-Australian citizens. They also helped me pay rent, as Brisbane rentals were completely unaffordable. I was so lucky.