Now don’t get your hopes high yet…I haven’t got any news that I wish to share with you! However, we do eventually plan on trying again (after my miscarriage in December) and I have been thinking about all the things you need to consider when budgeting for a baby. Jack is now 4 so it has been quite a while since I’ve had to invest in all the stuff. Here are my five top tips when budgeting for a baby.
People say that you hardly notice the cost of your second child and I can quite believe that statement is true, especially if they are the same gender as your first-born – but what if they’re not? Sure, they can live in plain white babygro’s and bodysuits for a little while but eventually some parents will end up splashing out on more gender specific clothes.
Here are my baby budgeting tips:
– Start buying things when pregnant. Obviously you start buying the big stuff before the baby comes along like the cot, stroller, carseat etc but then the little stuff is often forgotten about in the process. Make sure to stock up on nappies, wipes/cotton wool balls, nappy sacks and bathing products for your child long before they are born – you won’t have time to rush out and grab them when they are here!. Whether you plan to breast feed or formula feed, make sure to invest in a breast pump, formula and bottles just in case so you are prepared for any eventuality.
– Buy second-hand where possible. There are obviously some items that you shouldn’t buy secondhand (car seat, cot mattress) but why not take advantage of that bundle of baby clothes you saw selling for next to nothing on your local Facebook selling page or Ebay? As long as they are in fairly good condition, who is to know they aren’t brand new? Times are hard especially financially so we have to make savings where we can. A quick wash in the washing machine and they will be as good as new.
–Take advantage of the stuff people give you. This counts for companies and friends/family alike. Plenty of companies will send you some freebies if you sign up to their mother and baby mailing lists – I made sure to join everyone when I was pregnant with Jack. Also, make sure to join all the major baby clubs – Boots, Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda- as you will get extra points or coupons. You may find that people you know will give you some stuff they no longer need – I had a few people give us black bags crammed full of baby clothes (and I mean crammed full)– some were brand new! – plus we were given some nursery furniture too! We were incredibly lucky!
–Enter competitions. It may sound silly but I entered loads when I was pregnant – especially when I was on maternity leave and had more time on my hands because I was so bored– and I won loads of things for Jack that he enjoyed in the first few months of his life. I would definitely do the same should I have another child – you’ve got to be in it to win it, after all!
–Try to put a certain amount away each week. If you put £5 away each week whilst pregnant, you should be covered for that time when its two days before pay day and the nappies haven’t quite lasted due to the constant nappy explosions or you need some new laundry liquid to wash the clothes stained by the aforementioned nappy explosions. It happens to us all so having that buffer there would be really handy.
Have you got any tips on budgeting for a baby?
great tips for people planning for a baby R
Thanks!
I don’t have a baby but I’m always looking to budget so I’ll remember these tips for the future xxx
Fab!
Such good tips, it must be so hard to budget for having a baby and starting early can spread the cost. x
Thanks Rhian!
There’s some brilliant tips here! I started saving from the minute I found out I was pregnant, I also made sure all my store cards / credit cards were paid off in full before I had my daughter as that meant less bills to pay once I was on maternity leave
Thanks Helen!
There is so much great second hand stuff out there, that it’s easy to take advantage of that I think.
There really is!
These are great tips. If I ever had another baby i don’t think I would even need to buy any new baby clothes as my sister has got bags fulls!
Thanks Natasha!
Great post, I have had 3 children and see some great tips there.
Thanks Mel!
These sound like some great tips – I wouldn’t have a single idea where to start. x
Thanks lovely x
oh some great tips here and I can say I have done them all
Thanks Emma!
There are some great tips here. When I was pregnant with my second I didn’t have anything left from my first (nearly 2 years) as I had already given loads to a friend and the rest of the things got ruined in the attic I kept them 🙁 I was gutted. But was lucky to be given things and again with this third baby too.
Oh no! That must have been horrible x
This is a really good post and I know quite a few people who are expecting babies at the moment so I’ll share your tips.
Thanks Jessica!
I confess that with all three of my children a lot of stuff was handmedowns and I was very grateful as it saved a lot of money. Having children doesn’t need to cost the Earth and there’s a lot of things aimed at new parents which are not needed.
Exactly!
I think putting a little bit away each week is a great way to slowly build up quite a lot of savings. If you’re doing it in one of those jars that you can only crack open then you’ll probably have a great surprise waiting for you a few months down the line!
Good idea!
I definitely don’t have a baby yet but these are good budgeting tips!
Thanks Emily!
definitely great tips! these can also be used for other situations too
I think that buying during the pregnancy is definitely a good shout and a great way of keeping on top of your budget!
These are great points! I don’t have a baby so will share these to those who have and to those future mums. 🙂