'TIS BEST TO BE THE FIRST TO MARRY IN YOUR SET OF FRIENDS

The first one in a group of friends to marry gets many useful gifts and some 'recyclable gifts' as well as money.  Everyone is enthusiastic and not yet 'weddinged out'.  By the time the sixth or eighth couple takes the plunge, enthusiasm has faded.  More of the set are now married and they are counting and prioritizing their money differently than the singles. They also are starting families.


Having the first child in the group starts a new round of interests and costs.  Kids stuff no longer comes cheap.  Gone are the days of opening your kitchen cabinets for them to play in.  Now it is move over, the baby owns the house.  Imagine four or five of this size sitting in your living room...each lasts a month or more and is replaced by another of equal size and variety.  This does not count baby carriers, swings, cribs and endless paraphernalia.


Having raised my children in the kitchen cupboard era, I get to watch the latest generation and lose regrets about not being able to start all over again.