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Expecting a baby should be an exciting time in your life. Whether you’re in the early stages of pregnancy or you’re about to give birth, you need to get your finances in check to ensure your baby has everything it needs once it arrives in the world.
If money is tight and you aren’t sure where to begin, here are some tips on preparing for a baby on a budget.
Know Your Finances
Your first step is to know exactly what is coming in and going out every month to establish a budget that you can work with.
Knowing what you can and can’t afford will avoid you getting into debt. So, downloading a budgeting app on your smartphone will help you keep track of your income and outgoings.
It’s advised to do this in advance, rather than putting it off until your baby is born.
Cut Back on Expenses
If you are taking maternity leave, your income is likely to change. This means that it may be time to cut back on expenses that you could do without.
Whether it’s changing what you buy at the grocery store, canceling subscriptions like Netflix, or giving up your gym membership, minor changes can make a big difference, helping to free up some cash that you can put to better use.
Get Rid of Debt
If you are in debt, you must not ignore it during your pregnancy. While it will take time to sort out your debts, you will save money in the long run if you pay the minimum each month.
Having credit card debt can be hard to pay off. So, make sure you look into whether you can switch lenders to find the best rate.
Once you tackle your debt, your stress levels will decrease, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed during pregnancy.
Shop Smart
Whether you’re about to give birth to your first child or you’ve been through the experience before, having baby clothing, furniture, and diapers ready is crucial. However, the costs can soon add up and eat into your budget.
So, to keep costs down, check out sites like goodshop.com, where you can find coupons that you can use to save money on baby products.
If you’re struggling to afford everything, your family and friends may be able to chip in too.
Open a Savings Account
The sooner you begin putting cash aside for your baby, the better. As you start building up savings, they can cover your baby costs and get you through any period of low income. Many new moms worry about money in the aftermath of giving birth.
So, opening a savings account and putting cash into it each month will provide you with a nice nest egg that you can dip into as and when you need it once you’ve given birth.
Before your little one arrives, try to do all you can to keep track of your finances and ensure your baby has everything it needs for the best start in life. Congratulations on your little one!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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You definitely do not realize how expensive a baby is until you have one in your hands! But so worth it! Thanks for sharing!
Yes having a baby is extremely expensive but totally worth it