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Home/Financial Foundation/EMERGENCY FUND

Raising a Child in the US Now Costs More Than 4 Bitcoin, Study Shows

JS

Jasper Stanton

emergency fund · Apr 17, 2026

Raising a Child in the US Now Costs More Than 4 Bitcoin, Study Shows

Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal

The average cost to raise a child in the United States over 18 years is now $303,418. That figure, according to a new study from LendingTree, is more than 4 Bitcoin at current prices. In Hawaii, the most expensive state to raise a child, the cost climbs to $412,661, or 5.5 Bitcoin.

Related Brief14h ago
personal finance

Prioritizing savings as a fixed budget line prevents the depletion of long-term goals

A fixed monthly allocation to savings prevents the depletion of funds intended for long-term goals when unexpected expenses arise. This approach treats savings as a priority over other expenses rather than an afterthought. Under a 50/30/20 budget model, at least 20% of after-tax income is allocated to building savings or paying off debts. Monthly savings amounts are determined by dividing the total goal amount by the number of months in the timeline. Funds are directed to an emergency fund first. This fund should contain three to six months of living expenses to protect other savings from being depleted. Once the emergency fund is full, savings are divided between short-term and long-term goals such as retirement, a home down payment, or a new car. This allows compound interest to accrue on long-term savings.

Childcare costs have risen by at least 10% in 14 states, with sparsely populated states like Nebraska, Montana, and Wisconsin seeing increases of 23% or more. Rising rent has also contributed significantly, surging 50% since 2025, from $1,128 to $1,680 per month.

Related Brief14h ago
consumer spending

Tax refunds are briefly rewiring spending habits — and restaurants are cashing in

Restaurant traffic in the US has surged 53% in the two weeks following early tax refund deposits, with full-service establishments seeing the most pronounced rebound. Many consumers who had curtailed discretionary spending due to inflation are now using their refunds to dine out — a shift from initial intentions to save the windfall. Chime data confirms the influx of spending, as households redirect money toward experiences rather than stashing it away. The IRS began distributing early tax refunds to millions, and the immediate effect on consumer behavior has been stark. Full-service restaurants, which rely more heavily on discretionary spending, are benefiting most. Yet the boost is expected to be short-lived. Analysts note refund-driven spending typically fades within weeks as the cash is exhausted. Some consumers are using the funds to pay down debt or cover essentials like groceries, leaving less room for dining out. At the same time, rising gas prices are eroding spending power, counteracting the temporary gain in disposable income. While the trend may not alter long-term sales trajectories, it underscores how quickly consumer behavior responds to liquidity — and how fragile that shift can be.

Inflation is a major driver of these rising costs, according to Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst. High childcare costs create what he calls “childcare deserts,” where limited supply allows providers to raise prices significantly. These rising costs affect long-term financial planning, including emergency savings and retirement. The financial burden is influencing family planning decisions for many Americans.

Related Brief22h ago
taxation

Retroactive Tax Cuts Increase Average Refund to $3,521

The average tax refund hit $3,521 as of the week ending March 27, an 11.1% increase over the same point last year. The IRS issued more than 62 million refunds totaling about $222 billion up to late March. This increase reflects retroactive 2025 tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which expanded standard deductions, increased the Child Tax Credit, and created new deductions for tips, overtime, and older adults.

emergency fund

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