THE AVERAGE COST OF RAISING A CHILD FOR 17 YEARS IS $222,360:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture just put out its annual report on the average cost of raising a child over 17 years . . . and found that, if you had a kid in 2009, raising him is going to cost you more than buying one Ferrari . . . or 22 Hyundais.

--The average cost to raise a child for 17 years is now $222,360, up almost 1% from 2008. Here's how that QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS is divided . . .

--31% on housing.
--17% on child care and education.
--16% on food.
--13% on transportation.
--9% on miscellaneous costs.
--8% on health care.
--6% on clothing.

--Raising a child is about 15% more expensive now than it was in 1960, adjusted for inflation. The main reasons are huge increases in the cost of health care, child care, and education.

(U.S. Department of Agriculture)