To this day I’ve spent $3,095 on not getting pregnant: $2,520 on birth control pills for six years at $35 a month (which is actually cheap considering it wasn’t covered by my insurance at the time), $500 for an IUD (which I got at Planned Parenthood), plus $75 for one dose of Plan B (also at Planned Parenthood).  If I had stayed on the pills, that number would go up to… $5,040 (NOT adjusting for the rising costs of meds).

I’ve never paid for condoms because I’ve always gotten them free at Planned Parenthood, but I don’t even want to think how much those would add up to if I actually bought them.

I’ve never had a partner chip in for the cost.  Ever.  So you’re welcome, every dude who’s never had to pay for half an abortion or child support.  You’re welcome, taxpayers who didn’t have to subsidize the costs of birthing and caring for a baby I can’t afford.  You’re welcome, hypothetical kid I would have probably been a terrible parent to.How much have you spent? [check out the calculator from mother jones] Did your partner(s) help pay?  Post it.

(P.S. If you’re looking for the most effective and cost-effective long term birth control, consider an Paragard (non-hormonal) or Mirena (hormonal) IUD.)