35 articles about family & education
Owning a dog costs between $2,500 and $5,000 per year, depending on size and care. Small dogs average $2,500-$3,500, medium dogs $3,000-$4,000, and large dogs $3,500-$5,000, covering food, vet care...
Read more$1,500-2,500/year. Cats are cheaper than dogs due to lower food costs ($200-500), less grooming ($0-300), and lower vet costs. Add litter ($200-300/year) which dogs don't need.
Read moreThe lifetime cost of a dog ranges from $35,000 to $50,000 over 10 to 14 years. Small dogs cost about $35,000 to $49,000, medium dogs $36,000 to $48,000, and large dogs $35,000 to $50,000, with the ...
Read morePet insurance is worth it if you can't afford $3,000-7,000 for emergencies, your pet has genetic health risks, or you want peace of mind. Skip it if you have a $5,000+ emergency fund, your pet is a...
Read moreVeterinary care (30-40%) and food (20-25%) are the largest expenses. For a $3,000/year dog: $900-1,200 for vet care, $600-750 for food. Emergency care can spike costs by $1,500-10,000 in a single y...
Read more50-100% more than normal. Senior care starts at age 7-10 (dogs) or 10+ (cats). Costs increase due to: 2x vet visits, $20-100/month medications, special diet (+$200-500/year), and additional testing...
Read moreCats cost $10,000-15,000 less over their lifetime, averaging $22,500-37,500 for 15 years, while dogs cost $35,000-50,000 for 10-14 years. Choose a pet based on your lifestyle needs, as dogs require...
Read moreInflation (3.5%/year), senior care costs (50-100% increase), emergency vet visits ($1,500-7,000), and pet-sitting/boarding when traveling ($30-75/day). These add $10,000-20,000 to lifetime costs.
Read moreIt depends on your financial situation. Pet insurance costs $24-44/month ($288-528/year). It's worth it if you cannot afford a $3,000-7,000 emergency, have a breed prone to health issues, or want p...
Read moreDogs average $44/month ($528/year) and cats average $24/month ($288/year) for comprehensive coverage. Costs vary by breed, age, location, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. Premiums increase...
Read moreMost plans cover accidents, illnesses, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, and diagnostic tests. Wellness plans (optional add-on) cover routine care like vaccines, dental cleanings, and check-...
Read moreGet it when your pet is young (under 2 years old). Premiums are lower, and there are no pre-existing conditions to exclude. Waiting until your pet is older or sick means higher premiums and coverag...
Read moreBreeds prone to genetic issues benefit most: Bulldogs (respiratory issues, hip dysplasia), Golden Retrievers (cancer, hip dysplasia), German Shepherds (hip dysplasia, bloat), French Bulldogs (breat...
Read moreSelf-insurance works if you can save $2,000-5,000 in a dedicated pet emergency fund. This requires discipline to not spend it. If you struggle to save or want protection from catastrophic $10,000+ ...
Read moreEmergency vet visits range from $1,500-7,000 depending on the issue. Common emergencies: broken bones ($2,000-5,000), foreign body removal ($1,500-4,000), cancer treatment ($5,000-15,000), ACL surg...
Read moreYes, but premiums are higher and pre-existing conditions are excluded. Most insurers accept pets up to age 14, but coverage may be limited. Consider whether the high premiums justify the coverage g...
Read moreThis calculator uses USDA methodology updated with 2025 data from Brookings Institution and LendingTree studies. Actual costs vary based on personal choices, but estimates are within ±15% for most ...
Read moreTypically ages 0-5 due to childcare costs. Full-time infant care averages $13,000-18,000/year in many states. Costs decrease when children enter school (ages 6+).
Read moreNo, this calculator covers birth to age 18 only. College costs are separate and calculated in the college savings module (optional).
Read moreAbout 25% cheaper per child due to hand-me-downs, shared bedrooms, bulk purchases, and reused baby gear. Third and subsequent children average ~33% savings per child.
Read moreChild Tax Credit ($2,000-3,600/child), Dependent Care FSA ($5,000/year), and other credits can reduce costs by $3,000-8,000 annually. Consult a tax professional for your situation.
Read moreYes, because it reduces your take-home pay. However, remember it's still YOUR money—just saved for retirement. The retirement impact section helps you see this long-term benefit.
Read moreEnter your actual annual salary and adjust work expenses proportionally. For example, if you work 3 days/week, your commute and lunch costs would be 3/5 of full-time.
Read moreThis simplified calculator doesn't currently calculate specific tax credits, which is why we recommend using an estimated tax rate. For detailed tax planning, consult a tax professional or use IRS ...
Read moreResearch shows 5 years out of workforce can result in $700,000+ in total career impact (lost wages + retirement). Use the retirement impact section, and consider whether your field allows career gaps.
Read moreIf adding you to your spouse's plan costs extra, include that cost. If it's free or you're already on it, leave health insurance at $0.
Read moreCollege costs inflate at approximately 5% annually. If in-state public college costs $28,000 today, it will cost about $52,800 per year in 15 years, or $228,000 total for 4 years. Use our calculato...
Read morePrioritize your retirement over your child's college savings, as you can borrow for college but not for retirement. A weak retirement plan can create a bigger financial burden on your children than...
Read moreIt depends on your financial situation. 13 years of private school can cost $200,000-$400,000. Consider hybrid approaches like public elementary + private high school to reduce costs by 60% while s...
Read moreFor a newborn, saving $300-500/month in a 529 plan can cover 50-75% of public in-state college costs. The exact amount depends on your target coverage, expected returns (typically 7%), and years un...
Read moreYes. You can withdraw up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary from 529 plans for K-12 tuition through 2025. Starting July 2025, the limit increases to $20,000/year and expands to cover textbooks, tu...
Read moreOverlapping college years create peak expense periods. Strategies include: staggering college entry with gap years, using community college for some children, transferring 529 beneficiaries, and co...
Read more529 plans now cover registered apprenticeships and postsecondary credentials. You can also transfer the beneficiary to another child or qualified family member. Starting 2024, unused 529 funds can ...
Read moreThis depends on your mortgage rate and risk tolerance. If your mortgage rate is below 4%, you'll likely earn more investing in a 529 (historically 7-8% returns). However, if your mortgage rate is 6...
Read moreParent-owned 529 plans have minimal financial aid impact - only 5.64% of the account value is counted toward the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is much better than custodial accounts (UGM...
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