Monthly food expenses detailed by mother of 13: "Everything amplifies"
In a world where every day is a challenge, Elena del Cerro, a mother of 13 children, continues to forge ahead. With her oldest son at 32 years old and her youngest at 8, Elena has faced numerous hurdles in her journey as a mother.
Despite the current times, Elena perseveres, finding time where there is none, wanting to be together, and being very organized. These secrets have helped her and her family make it all work.
The cost of raising a child is no small feat. According to a study by Raisin, the cost to raise a child from birth to emancipation in Spain is estimated to be around €200,000. This figure encompasses all essential expenses including childcare, education, food, clothing, and healthcare until the child becomes legally independent.
The cost of raising a child varies with age. From birth to 2 years, it's approximately €32,055, from 3 to 5 years, €28,041, from 6 to 11 years, €68,618, and from 12 to 18 years, €99,540. The cost of raising a child from 19 to 24 years is €71,161, from 25 to 31 years, €25,479, and from birth to emancipation at 31 years old, over €300,000.
Elena's family spends around 2,000 euros per month, with a single shopping trip costing between 280 to 300 euros. As a mother, Elena has to coordinate everything and mobilize no less than three cars to ensure her children's schedules, activities, and obligations are met.
Elena del Cerro, who is Australian and moved to Spain during the 2008 crisis, recently appeared on the Antena 3 show 'Y ahora Sonsoles'. Her husband runs his own company, and she is self-employed. Despite their monthly expenses rounding up to 12,000 euros, they live day-to-day with no savings.
Their resilience is inspiring. After facing hardships such as three miscarriages and the sudden death of one of their children, they decided not to give up and had more children. Their love and determination have led them to have more children since then, and now they are over the moon.
Dinner is sacred for Elena's family, and they make room in their schedule for it. They are a testament to the power of hope and the strength of family, proving that with determination, anything is possible.
Despite the financial challenges, Elena, a mother of 13 children, meticulously manages her family's personal-finance, crafting a budget to govern their expenses effectively, ensuring they stay afloat. Her determination and organizational skills, reminiscent of the numerous hurdles she has faced as a mother, continue to aid in maintaining a healthy financial balance for her family.
