Here’s my budget I came up with a while back,when I found out that GOP linked companies were charging $750 per day to look after kids that had been taken away from their parents. The thinking was, that we needed to give these companies MORE money, because the kids had no toothpaste or other necessities, and more money would obviously fix that.
4 kids, one year, $750/day/kid
budget = $1,095,000
Rent of 6 bedroom house in El Paso:
- luxury home in Loretto/Radford
- 6 bedroom, 3.5 bathrooms
- Den, family room, fireplaces
Cul-de-sac close to schools
Fenced back yard with pool, sauna
Kitchen with granite counters, all stainless appliances = $3,000/month, $36,000 total
Salary – me, executive director of child procurement and oversight = $150,000
Assistant director and staff overseer (my spouse) = $75,000
Cook – I don’t like cooking. 20 hours/week @$30/hour = $31,200
Cleaning – I don’t like cleaning. 20 hours/week @$30/hour = $31,200
Gardening/pool maintenance – I will be too busy doing executive time (watching TV). 20 hours/week @$30/hour = $31,200
Nanny – someone needs to actually look after the kids. I’m busy doing… executive things. = $50,000
Nanny can stay in the 6th bedroom with an ensuite.
Psychologist/counselling. Probably a good thing for these kids $200/hour, 3 hours/week/child for one full year = $124,800. A big ticket item, but worth it, I think.
Private school tuition. I think they deserve this, right? $10,000 per child = $40,000
Music lessons, art lessons, swimming lessons… these things are good for kids. $5,000/kid = $20,000
Platinum family golf club membership at Painted Dunes in El Paso = $2400. Well worth it I say.
Set of clubs for me and spouse = $2400
Set of clubs for all 4 kids = $2000
Furniture for house:
Bedrooms @ $10,000 each = $60,000 Kids will have to make do with just a small TV in each of their private bedrooms
Living room = $15,000
Other rooms = $20,000
Food - average cost in USA is $2641 per person per year, so lets say $5000 = $30,000 including me and spouse.
Clothing, other costs per child = $10,000 each per child = $40,000. We can probably afford soap and toothpaste on that.
Utilities, other monthly incidentals = $2,000/month = $24,000
Cell phones for kids and me $300/month = $3600
Car. I”ll need a 7 passenger Range Rover discovery. = $80,000
Insurance, gas, etc. for car = $15,000
Restaurants Once/week for 5 people@$150 = $7,800
Holiday. Kids should go to Disneyland, right? Hotel and airfare = $7,000 Food = $2,000, Disney tickets = $5000 Souvenirs= $1000 total = $15,000
Christmas and birthday presents for kids = $5,000/kid = $20,000
GRAND TOTAL $929,600
Hmmmm. Better give myself a bonus. $150,000 bonus for doing such a good job.
Total = $ 1,079,600
You know what? I’m under budget. And between my spouse and I, we get to live in a house for free, free meals, and get $375,000 salary.