Wondering how much having a child will cost?  Any way you cut it, the price tag is shocking and new parents need to plan ahead.  At least that’s the message of today’s Washington Post feature, Expecting the Expenses.  Apparently, thinking about the long-term cost of raising a baby isn’t always on the new or expecting parent brain.  But according to a financial planner cited by the Washington Post that’s hardly surprising given that, “Most people don’t plan their own wants and needs.”

There are a number of online calculators that can help you estimate how much money you will likely spend raising a child.  Spending a few minutes to think about financing your baby is a good thing to add to your pre-baby checklist.  Of course, if you already have a child, it’s not too late to come up with a financial game plan.