Letters to the Editor
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Childcare?
I've only read 1/2 of the reader responses, but so far I haven't seen one mention of childcare expenses! We have 2 young children and both of us work fulltime. We paid almost $30K in childcare expenses last year (if one of us stayed home and didn't work, we'd have even less). It's by far our biggest expense, and one that can't be reduced (expensive city, no family in the area, etc). Yes, it was our choice to have 2 children. However, other countries do provide various childcare options and subsidies, and it's really almost impossible for people in our situation to create savings (even cutting out all restaurants, social life, clothes, etc). If you are single or childless, I can see how the advice in these letters might help. But talk to a working parent - the choices are much more limited. I'm hoping our next president can at least address some mild debate about the state of childcare in the US.