State College – Judy Loy 
Any family with children knows that there is a large financial impact due to the cost of raising a child. From daycare or sports activities to college education, expenses accumulate when adding a new member to the family. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report on the “Cost of Raising a Child” estimates a baby born in 2013 will have an average cost through age 18 of $245,340 ($304,480 with projected inflation). That figure does not include college. For many parents, the financial impact doesn’t end at 18 either. Parents who start early to show and teach their child good financial habits will help their child become confident about making smart financial decisions well into the future.(more)