The best, most cost-effective, and efficient way to raise a family

A family of four consists of two parents and two kids. Let’s say the kids are 10 and 13 years old. Assume that the parents are married. Let’s call the parents, M and F.<br><br>The goal of the exercise is to find the cheapest and most cost-effective way to feed, house, and provide the best upbringing for the two children. <br><br>M and F are employed and pay taxes. The cost of raising the children should come out of their take home pay.<br><br>M and F are in a position where they have some extra income, so they can afford a house keeper and a tutor. They both work full time, M works six days a week, and F works five. M works more because F is the higher earner. <br><br>Their weekly expenses:<br><br>* 2 x commute: 150$ (75$ * 2)<br>* 1 x house keeper: 250$<br>* 1 x tutor: 250$<br>* Groceries: 500$<br>* Bills: 150$ <br>* Insurance: 100$ <br>* Pet food and rent: 200$<br>* Savings: 300$<br><br>Total weekly expenses: 1900$<br><br>M earns 1200$ per week, and F earns 1600$ per week. Their total weekly income is 2800$. After paying their weekly expenses, they have 900$ left, which they divide 50/50. This means they each have 450$ per week for leisure activities and miscellaneous expenses.<br><br>The parents currently spend 6 hours a day picking up after the kids. This includes picking up their toys, cleaning their room, laundry, making their meals, bathing them, putting them to bed, etc.<br><br>M has a proposal for F. Instead of the kids being picked up after, the kids should be trained to pick up after themselves. This is already the case to a degree. This proposal is to take it a step further. M will train the kids to cook, clean, and do their own laundry. This will include making their own meals and snacks, cleaning their room, mopping the floors, vacuuming, mowing the lawn, and doing their own laundry. <br><br>M has spoken with some friends, and some schools have a program in place like this, known as home economics. M’s friends said it was very beneficial for their children.<br><br>M argues that if the kids are taught how to cook and clean, they will be able to take care of themselves when the time comes. M argues that when the children are grown, and leave the nest, they will be able to cook for themselves, and not have to rely on others for basic life skills. M also argues that the kids can help out around the house, and free up some time for F and M to do leisure activities together, such as going for a walk, bike ride, or other outdoor activities.<br><br>M argues that the extra free time will also allow for more quality time with the kids, and some alone time. M also argues that they both work six days a week, and have been doing so for some time. M argues that a break from the kids, and some alone time, is beneficial for everyone, and will help strengthen the bonds between the parents and the kids.<br><br>F argues that she does not want their children cleaning the floors, or mowing the lawn. F argues that it is beneath children their age to be doing such tasks. F also argues that they are too young to be cooking meals. F argues that they are still young, and that they should not have to do chores around the house. F argues that the children are still too young to be doing chores, and that they should not be doing such tasks.<br><br>The kids also chimed in, and argued that they are too young to be doing such tasks. They argued that they are still young, and that they should not be doing chores. The kids argued that they are still too young to be doing such tasks.<br><br>M argues that the extra free time will allow for more family time, and will benefit everyone.<br><br>M also argued that he used to do all of the cooking and cleaning when he was the same age as the children. M argues that the children can and should do these tasks, and that they should learn how to do these tasks.<br><br>PS: I tried my best to make the post as detailed as possible. I apologize if I missed any information that you would like to know.