Remember when we were kids, how we used to be entertained by just an empty tin can, or a stick and a piece of string? Or at least, how we LIE to our kids about being entertained by those things to stop them from begging for video games?
--According to a new study, the average family today will spend approximately $15,800 on toys for a child from birth until they turn 18. That's an average of $877 per year.
--And if you have more than one kid, realize that's the price PER KID, not total. So with two kids, you're looking at $31,600 in toys. That family from Arkansas on the show "19 Kids and Counting" is looking at $300,200 in toys.
--The study also found 71% of parents think their low-tech childhood toys and games were MORE FUN than their kids' toys. But . . . 17% feel like, quote, "not a good enough parent" if they can't afford to buy their kids the toys they really want.