Is it possible to have a baby on a tight budget?

Question

My hubby and I want to try for a baby, but it never seems like the right time financially. Everyone tells me, "Don't worry about the money" or "No matter when you have them you can't afford them", but I just don't see how it's possible. How can I cut corners, but still have a responsible, healthy pregnancy?

Thanks everyone for the info. We do have good health insurance (thank goodness). I also looked up the WIC website, but even if I didn't work we'd still be making too much money to get assistance.. just as well, I don't like the idea of taking gov't assistance anyway.

Answer 1

As a mom who endured an unhealthy pregnancy in my first tri-mester... I found pregnancy to be costly -- thank goodness I had health insurance!

Is it possible -- sure.

There is a book out there called "Baby Bargains" -- it gives you detailed information on how to save money & have a baby on a budget. It was written by a Pediatrician as well as a Full-Time Mother... (also check out their books Baby 411 & Toddler 411!)

They have a lot of advice on how you can save (prior to getting pregnant) and which brands to buy that do not cost a lot of money.

There is never a financially stable time to have kids.. but you will make do.

:)

Best of luck

Answer 2

I say - bravo and good luck. I will also caution you on just a few things: #1 You can't predict your pregnancy health or your birth outcome, so that can get very expensive if you aren't prepared. #2 Make your own baby food because it's healthier, but unfortunately it's also more expensive. Plant a garden to help off set those fresh food costs. #3 Safe cribs, mattresses and car seats are a must - do not fool around with hand-me-downs on these three items. You won't know all the cribs that have been recalled (there have been 1000's lately) and you may never know if a car seat was ever in a car accident, plus they do expire usually at 6 years. These are the three most important items that will get the most use, so don't mess around with used if you don't have to. #4 The only bedding you'll need are crib sheets and a mattress pad. Bumpers, pillows & crib quilts are dangerous and the dust ruffle is cute, but not necessary. #5 Educational toys are great, so just choose wisely and be frugal. Most kids in the US have too many toys and most go unused and too many can be over stimulating and overwhelming to a child anyway. so choose a few really good ones that will grow with your child and buy BOOKS. #6 Even if you're living together and know each other completely, there is something about marriage that can change the dynamics of a relationship, so don't rush into kids right after your wedding day. Take a year or two to just enjoy married life together without kids. Once kids come into your life you will never have the freedom you have right now. Travel, dinner out, night clubs, lazy mornings, late nights, romance, hobbies, school, work, etc.... I mean EVERYTHING changes in one way or another. More Power To You!

Answer 3

Truthfully, your priorities change so much when you have a child.. Things you couldn't live without last month are totally forgotten once the child comes. You will find a way. Just get regular prenatal visits, save money now. We started a fund for our kid the day we found out I was pregnant. I promise you, the lattes, the manicures etc. All the "fat" will instantly be trimmed from your budget. and you will come up with a way to support everyone. Maybe you eat in more, maybe you wait for the DVD instead of spending 30 bucks on a movie (thats a weeks worth of diapers right there) Plus have a HUGE baby shower and ask for necessities like pampers, t-shirts, baby wipes. formula bottles. Things that you can never have too much of. Many times, you will get everything you need to start wihtout spending a dime.

It os so worth it my baby is a teen now and being witness to her life from day one is a gift that is unexplainable and more important than the 2nd car or the bigger house.

Answer 4

Depending on how 'tight' money is for you, you might have more than a few options.

Most states offer free, or low cost health care to pregnant women in 'poverty'. You could find your states department of human services to find out what the cap is for income.

There are also plenty of options for inexpensive parenting once the baby comes.

Goodwill offers TONS of gently used baby clothes for next to nothing. For less than $40 you can buy an entire wardrobe for a baby that will last between birth to 6months!

Some parents choose to co-sleep with thier children (I do!). This takes away the necessity of a crib, bassinette, or sleeper, but is only recommended for parents who don't drink, or use illegal drugs.

There are multiple agencies that provide free baby gear, including carseats, diaper bags, bottles, etc.

If you choose to breastfeed, you also save a bit of money. When you breastfeed, you don't buy bottles, formula, pacifiers, or other unnecessary things....

WIC can also provide breastfeeding mothers free breastpumps for 'expressing' milk if you plan on going back to work after the baby is born, and wic is also great at helping new mothers get used to taking care of kiddos.

Strollers can also be pricey, so I would suggest looking online for a 'Nadine Sling'... It's a long piece of fabric that you secure around your shoulder. It fits all the way from newborn up to 4 and 5 year olds, and it's designed to be SUPER comfy for moms.

:) I have to say, you might want to look into attachment parenting (it sounds a little crazy sometimes), but it's seriously cheaper than going out and buying a bassinette, a crib, a mattress, special bedding, bottles, sanitizers, pacifiers, and expensive strollers!

Please feel free to e-mail me if you need more info... I'm a seriously cheap mamma! :D

Answer 5

It really never is the "right" time to have a baby--And not just financially--emotionally, socially, in your marriage, with your friends, etc..you will go through so many changes--I think the financial excuse is a way of avoiding things--yes--babies are costly--but you forget about that when you have them--it is just wonderful--

And having a baby is so transformative--The things that you think are so important right now--that you need money for--will all change once you have a baby-and you will discover that you have plently of money (for instance--I used to go out shopping with friends and to lunches etc--or go out dancing--all the time--and now--well--once in awhile I still enjoy these activities--but mainly--my priorities have drastically changed-not because I was forced to--but because I wanted to be different--having a baby made me a different person--and we are more interested in buying things for our child--etc--you will have enough for medical care, etc--it can be costly-but those things will be okay--You may just be thinking--okay--I live like this and spend this much and now on top of it the baby expenses...No--Your whole idea of what you WANT to spend on is going to change!...

And it's a fun change:) A little scary--but fun!

Good Luck:)

Answer 6

my husband is in the marines and they make crap money - so i know what you mean! Just cut down on all the extra cash you use ( movies, eatting out...etc) and try to pay off credit cards as much as possible during the 9 months! We decided on a set amount to put in savings each paycheck and stuck to that and we are actually a lot better off financially now than we were pre-pregnacy!! afterwards there is always breastfeeding and WIC both which help out alot!!!

good luck!!!

Answer 7

Your last three words are the most important..."responsible, healthy pregnancy". I realize that it is every woman's right to have a baby, but it isn't always right... If you can't afford to have the baby, it is my belief that you shouldn't have one. Children are costly, and require an unparalleled commitment of time, as well as money. If you have to return to work quickly, just to make enough money to pay the bills - why did you have the child? Too many children have been raised by daycare centres and nannies these past two decades...and do you think that there is any correlation between that fact and the number of teenaged pregnancies, suicides and school violence?

Answer 8

It is possible to plan a pregnancy, plan out what it will take financially to have a baby, are you working now, and will you continue to work once baby is born, look it to the cost of baby sitting, those are goals to save for before doing the big do. Also consider the different programs that are out there for young mothers and everyone is eligible regardless of your station in life. I hope this helps a little.

Answer 9

The lesson everyone learns- YOU ARE NEVER FINANCIALLY READY FOR CHILDREN... wether you make 250,000 a year or you are making 19,000 a year. So if you want to start your family- start. It doesn'tmatter how much you make- you will end up making things work.. and things will all work out. Sure it's expensive- but you probably wont be spending so much money on date nights or going out or eating out etc etc and instead of buying the new tv you want- youll buy diapers and wipes and all that =) I was a single mom for 6 years and I wasn't even making 20 grand a year- and I managed to live on my own in a nice apartment and support myself and my daughter with no child support or help from the state- you can do it- it just means you have to sacrafice a little more... good luck!

Answer 10

Well, you will find it can be done. You will simply learn how to arrange your lifestyle to match that which you will have with the child. If you realistically want to see what it would mean, just sit down and try to calculate what a general cost of diapers, formula, food, etc would be if you had a baby. You will see its not as dramatic as you might be fearing. It can be done, but you will have to shave off some of the frills until the child is a little older.