Everyone says kids are expensive. No one tells you how fast that $20 disappears at Target.
I tracked every single dollar I spent on my 2-year-old Leo for 7 days – food, diapers, snacks, everything. No guessing, just real receipts from Kroger and Target.
If you are budgeting for a toddler in the USA, here is my honest week.
My Toddler Weekly Spending Log – 7 Days (USA)
Monday – $28.50
- Kroger: Milk, bananas, bread, chicken nuggets, eggs – $18.50
- Target: Diapers 24 pack – $10.00 (used $2 coupon)
Tuesday – $14.20
- Daycare snacks: Goldfish + fruit pouches – $8.20
- Walgreens: Baby wipes – $6.00
Wednesday – $30.00
- Daycare food fee – $25.00 (my daycare charges weekly)
- Extra berries – $5.00
Thursday – $18.90
- Target: Yogurt melts, cheese, veggies – $18.90
Friday – $22.50
- Detergent for baby clothes (Tide Free) – $12.50
- Small Hot Wheels car (bribe for haircut) – $10.00
Weekend – $32.00
- Saturday playground ice cream + Starbucks cake pop – $12.00
- Sunday: New socks + sneakers from Target – $20.00
Total for 1 Week: $146.10
That means about $580-$600 per month just for basic toddler stuff. Without rent, without my food.
And I am not even buying organic everything.
Where I Save Money in USA:
- Target Circle coupons – I save $15-20 per week on diapers and wipes.
- Kroger fuel points – free gas for school runs.
- I don’t buy baby food jars – I mash what we eat.
Is $146/week normal for USA? Tell me in comments how much you spend.
Read next: How Much Does Daycare Cost in 2026? I Tracked My Real Expenses for 30 Days