Samantha, a single mother, spends 630 euros a month on her children: “I had financial problems too soon”

How much does it really cost to take care of one or more children each month? What is the parental budget? Do the costs incurred vary according to the age of the children? Every two weeks, in our meeting “When we love, we count”, parents open their accounts and share with us how much one or more children cost them, monthly.

This week, it’s Samantha who lends herself to the exercise.

The income of Samantha, a single mother of two

• First name : Samantha

• Age : 35 years

• Work : teacher
• Number and age of children: two children aged 5 and 6

• Net household budget in total: €3237

• Place of life: Brussels (Ganshoren)

Samantha is the single mother of two children, aged 5 and 6, with her ex-husband. She has sole custody of them and now all three live in Ganshoren, Belgium, in an apartment where she is a tenant.

The town is fairly quiet, but close to everything (schools, public transport, grandmother…) It is an apartment on the second floor of a small recent building. I have been a tenant here since 2023, but also the owner of a currently uninhabited duplex. The case is pending in court, these are the consequences of divorce. Mister opposes the sale and I’m just waiting for this!

The surface area is approximately 80m2, and I chose to live here due to the geographical position on the one hand, and on the other due to its recent construction and therefore its good insulation.

I’m not far from my mom who is the only one to help me when I need it (work, private lessons to give…) and it’s quite practical. I am close to all services (tram, bus, metro, my work, children’s school, children’s activities, etc.)

Monthly, Samantha receives everything €3237including his salary of €2549as well as a complement of €150 for the private lessons he gives to students, €328 family allowances e €210 foods.

She spends 1090 € rent, e €995 repayment of a credit for his old house and another for the move. His current bills, including electricity and gas, amount to €215.

Custody and hygiene costs for two children

After explaining her total income, Samantha shares how much she spends on her kids.

When her first child was born, the presents were nothing more than dresses and a fanny pack, and Samantha had spent 2000 € for all baby supplies. She was able to repurpose most of the things for her second child.

I had flashed a vintage stroller I found online and it had cost me €500, it seems to me. For the bedroom furniture (with two beds directly) I spent €1000. For the clothes I don’t even dare to count… And for the rest, such as bottles and various equipment, I spent approx €500.

Hygiene sideSamantha estimates she’s spending a budget of €25 of specific balm every month for her children who have atopic-prone skin. For the rest of the washing products, all 3 use the same products.

For the HealthSamantha spends €11 monthly mutual insurance for your children.

Two children’s clothing, toys and hobbies budget

As for her children’s clothing budget, Samantha splurges €50 per month :

I am buying it new for my daughter. For my son, I happen to receive and fortunately: he rips his pants at lightning speed.

For the toysSamantha considers spending €20 per month and €10 per month of books.

Ref hobby of her children, Samantha has an approximate budget of €1000 per year for internships for her children. Honed over the year, he boils down to €80 per month. In addition to these internships, her children each have a sport activityfor a monthly budget of €57.

My daughter does ballet for €290 a year, and my son does gymnastics for €390 per year. As for gear, my daughter doesn’t need new clothes yet and my son is putting on his gym clothes, so he doesn’t need anything specific.

To this they also add €200 monthly outings to restaurants, museums and parks.

Grocery expenses for a family of one adult and two children

Speaking of budget DietSamantha explains that her children eat at the school cafeteria during the week at €30 a month and who eat like her when I’m at home. Only for her children, Samantha spends €120 per month, for fruit yoghurt in the morning before going to school, drink compotes, various fruit for each day and snacks.

Samantha tells us that she is not asked for special requests by her children during family shopping:

I don’t let myself be appeased. I know what I need and I know what they need. Sometimes I let them choose a snack or fruit instead. And for lack of inspiration I sometimes ask them what they would like to eat.

For family food, he prefers to shop at the supermarket:

I often go to a supermarket not far from my house for the convenience of the thing, and also for the prices. Sometimes I also go to the market on Sunday morning. It’s more expensive, but better.

Even in large areas, I take care of favor a minimum of quality.

Costs for the custody of the two children

Her children in school, Samantha has no childcare costs. She never calls a babysitter, not even occasionally.

If anyone has to babysit my kids, it’s my mom.

For the schooling of her two children, Samantha spends €15 per quarter and per child, which amounts, if we smooth out the year, to €7.50 per month in total.

Transmission of the value of money and pocket money

Samantha thinks she’s managing her budget well, even though she wishes she had a lower rent to pay. As for her latest “crush” on her children, she has a hard time estimating many, but she admits that:

It’s true that I like organizing trips, so perhaps my latest craze for my children is the three-day trip to the beach that came to my mind at €1000but we needed it.

Samantha tells what was the relationship with money in his familywhat was passed on to him and his current relationship with his children:

We never really talked about money and I had a pretty chaotic journey. I have been working since the age of 16 and therefore was financially independent very early on. I had financial worries too soon I think.

Samantha tries to teach her children the value of things and money:

Sometimes I refuse them things, explaining why. I also teach them to save for what they really want. The mouse passed through my son and kept his penny. Each of them has a piggy bank of yellow coins and another of red coins. They know that piggy banks don’t touch each other over trifles.

Samantha has opened a bank account for each of her children:

First, I put 25€ a month, but for some time now I’ve only been putting in it €10 per month. Their account is blocked until they come of age, I want to assure them a small budget when they take off or have projects at heart…

Samantha talks openly about money in front of her two children:

They know that to get money you have to work. They know that sometimes I work more to get more money.

Samantha begins to educate her children to have money, but without giving them pocket money, because according to her they are too young:

After the markets we have already organized, they get some money to buy something that makes them happy.

At the end of the month, it stays €560 to the family. When the total amount spent solely on his children, Samantha, is added up you spend 630 € monthly.

Thank you Samantha for answering our questions!