Were you financially prepared for a baby/child?

Question

Not that my partner and I are planning on having a baby yet.
Did you save money before you got pregnant to prepare for the costs of a baby?
How much did you save? Did it cover a lot of costs?
Is it possible to raise a baby and study too?
How much does a baby cost a week?
And finally are they really a joy to have (like everyone always tells me)?

Answer 1

No we didnt save before the baby was born, but we did try to estimate how our lives will change. Not that we were anywhere close to understanding anything.

But what we did do is keep a general track of how expenses were happening, bought important stuff after lot of research and controlling urges. Bought other important stuff only after the baby was born so that we find out whether we actually need it(for eg; changing table-no need)
We balanced it by not eating out too much, unnecessary shopping and delayed other major expenses for a year or 2.
And we stepped up our life plans by finding ways for earning more by not sending our kid to day care but trying to find projects to work from home that bear the big expenses coming our way.
So I guess the answer you want is : Keep a track of expenses but enjoy your child first and stress less. God takes care of it all. Good luck.

Answer 2

My husband and i were both 29 when our son was born. No, we were not financially prepared; it just happened. But we did not stress over it. We were very happy when we found out. Both of our our families helped out by giving us baby furniture, baby clothes, diapers, money. My co-workers also gave me a huge shower as well as some of my relatives. We also bought things along the way and put some things on lay-away. By the time our son was born we had enough diapers to last six months (all sizes), clothes to have for every day of the month, more toys than he knew what to do with, formula, etc. But the most important thing our baby had was the love of his parents and other family members. I cannot imagine life without him or our daughter. Yes, there are ups and downs; we're even struggling financially now, but we manage. Our children bring us so much joy and happiness that we forget about our worries. We pray that God will supply our needs and he does. We thank him everyday for his blessings which includes our two wonderul children.

Answer 3

I had to laugh, really! I have 7 children and not one of them was planned let alone "saved" for. I tell them they weren't planned but they were all nice surprises.

I didn't have a lot of money when they were small, and that was okay. You don't really have to have a lot. I breast them all, used clothe diapers, made my own baby food. The nursery was beautiful--all second hand furniture I refinished and things I made.

Yes, you can study and have a baby. I got my bachelors degree while pregnant and having the last 2. It is not easy and takes a great degree of preplanning and balance.

My children are an absolute wonder to me, they are all very individual, very good people--some are now big people and some are still little people. THey are the joy of my existence, teach me new things every day and have kept me young.

Just the other day I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have just one more. I miss having a baby to hold and a toddler to chase!

Money doesn't mean a lot to babies, but love does!

Answer 4

hah! i honestly wish we would have saved babies are expensive! my pregnancy was not planned however it wasnt really avoided so we welcomed the baby with open arms (or will be since he's not here yet..lol)

I don't think anyone can ever be truely ready for "parenthood" even with all the money in the world, there are other things that you will need to prepare for, i am learning and am getting more and more anxious everyday.

I say if you do want kids and can "plan" then do so, luckily i am a good saver (unlike my hubby who spends like a teenage girl..haha) we are getting things here and there for our soon to be son but also luckily my best friends throwing a baby shower for me so that should help out with a few minor things.

Good luck!


but if anything MAKE SURE YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE!!!! medical bills are too high not to.

Answer 5

My husband & I didn't save any money because we brought all clothes, cot etc. when I was pregnant, so we had my sons room set up when I was 8 weeks pregnant. I will tell you honestly, babies & kids are not cheap, they can be quite expensive. The amount of formula, nappies, food, baby products like bathing stuff, powder, nappy rash cream etc can add up alot. But, it's great being a parent & I wouldn't swap my two for anything. I do believe it's possible to raise a baby & study as well as long as you get help from someone.

Answer 6

No we didnt plan or save i had amazing friends that threw a huge babyshower and all we had to buy was a car seat and diapers. it really wasent that big of a financial strain for us but im sure it will become one when she gets older LOL! as long as you and your partner are commited and give it your all it will work no matter what the situation and yes the are more joy then you will ever know until you have your own of course!!! My daughter is 9 months ol and it gets better and better evryday i fall more and more in love with her everytime i look at her. Children are the most wonderful blessing you could ever have and they are tottaly worth it no matter how hard it may seem or how hard people say it may be!!!!

Answer 7

raise a family and study - id say is not possible (my opinion)
do you want to raise a good child, or one with no manners and no proper upbringing.
if youre going to give birth to it, and let others bring it up, then dont have it yet, till you finish studies.

a child doesnt have to cost a lot, people sometimes spend money, and lots of it, on clothes only, when in those things, really there is no point, investing money as they grow out of those clothes so fast.
Thats where you can save a lot of money.

and sweety believe me, everyone can say it to you, but you will never TRULLY understand it, until you have it, and spend every day with it, and watch it do, funny, silly, crazy things, and when it smiles at you and touches your face, its the biggest joy you can EVER have.

nothing else compares.

you will think back of these words, when you do have one of your own, and you will say, hey, that kendi chik was right, it is just amazing.

i have a one and a half yr old, and im only 24, and i wouldnt give him for the whole wide world.

Answer 8

No we just got preg. and had a baby..He is a great accountant type.... Yes you can study and have a baby.It's hard work,but if you want it,you can do it. Wouldn't even guesstimate about a baby now.The diapers alone when they are a newborn...About studying and going to school with kids.My husband went 13 years to get his degree,and worked full time and he was a cub scout leader,and he took karate with our son.He studied like your supposed to,for every one hour of class study 2 hours. I his wife was ignored the whole time,but he did it.Straight A's too...That sucked for me...