Estimated Cost of getting her up the duff...

Paul_H_4

Hi,

We would like to start a family but are worried about the cost. We were therefore wondering a rough guide of monthly / yearly cost of bringing up a baby. Obviously we would limit spending to the essentials plus a few luxuries (and would get these in presents from family / friends). We would like to buy things brand new but would get some hand me downs and buy own brand items.

Cheers,

Ivana_Tinkle

Hi Paul

That's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string?" question! There are just too many factors to be able to give you anything like an exact answer.

As regards baby equipment, clothes etc, in the first year you could pay anything from a few hundred quid (if you REALLY buy the minimum and get everything second-hand) to tens of thousands of pounds. But that's a bit of a red herring anyway since the real costs of having kids are things like the lost wages (or childcare costs) and the costs of things like moving to a bigger house if that becomes necessary.

But then of course you'll probably save money on things like nights out, and you can get child benefit (not a huge amount but every little helps!) and possibly child tax credit...

I wish I could give you an exact answer but it's impossible. The good news is that, if you decide to have a baby, you will manage!

[Deleted User]

Don't forget that even if you do make the decision to try to conceive, it may not happen straight away.............these things often don't go to plan.

Having said that a friend of mine came off the pill last June, got pregnant in July and had her first daughter on Friday!!

Its the luck of the draw.

sarahlouise210

..............and then you could always have twins !!!

Most people want to buy new for their baby but it really is unnecessary. Everything to do with babies is used for such a short time that to buy new is a waste of money. Equipment will have had minimal use - clothes even less. Babies do not wear out their clothes ...most people have far too many and some never get worn before the baby grows. As you have said - get the things you want new as presents. In the short term nappies cost quite a bit - if you conceive..make use of BOGOF offers for nappies and toiletries and collect them in different sizes. You have to consider if you will have to move..and where to if you want a particular school. May seem a long way off but will be with you before you know it. Will you have to get a bigger car? .. Will you lose an income? In the long term..kids have needs and it can be pricey but you may be able to get extra help via tax credits that you dont get now.Whatever they cost in monetary terms ..it is worth every penny!

bank_of_slate

'Getting her up the duff' as you so romantically put it is as expensive as you make it!
There are the obvious costs such as nappies, furniture and clothes, the rest is up to you!

Look on Yahoo groups for Freecycle in your area, people give away lots of great things like cots and prams. you just have to pick things up.
Good luck with the getting her up the duff bit, I'm sure you'll enjoy the practice!
...Linda xx

ariba10

If you have to count the cost you can't afford it. Money is the least of you'r problems with starting and bringing up a family.

Ivana_Tinkle

ariba10 wrote:

If you have to count the cost you can't afford it.

I disagree! I reckon once you start counting the costs, you'll never think you can afford it!

raymond

Just write off every pound earned, and every free minute you have for the next 16-18 years, then expect to borrow tens of thousands for university fees and several more tens of thousands for a wedding.

All in all, half a million should just about cover it.

bylromarha

But just think of all the money you'll save on condom expenditure for the 9 months she is pregnant...

this quite recent thread should help you out

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=134184

SammyD_2

The recent thread above is really good. Remember that babies actually need very little. If you were truely broke you could get away with some second hand baby clothes and a few nappies. Everything beyond that really is not a necessity as you could make do with what you have around the house - eg the baby could sleep in your bed. Obviously everyone has more than that, and most consider a pram a necessity as well, but beyond that (and of course a car seat if you drive) it is all luxury not strict necessity - things that are either fun to buy (like matching cot sets and lots of toys) or make life easier (like high chairs).

The big costs are the loss of earnings and childcare if you/partner both work. But you can't beat the benefits! If you both want children, then go for it - you will always find a way to make ends meet and the rewards are priceless.

jellyhead

it is a piece of string question really, and depending on your income the child benefit along with tax credits and possibly a surestart grant (if you earn less than around 24k between you) might cover everything. on the other hand you may be thinking of private schools and matching nursery furniture. my sister and i are chalk and cheese. i just bought a cot from kiddicare.com and it comes with a mattress, quilt and bumper (bumper won't be used, quilt might be used when he's over 1 but doubtful, we like sleeping bags) for the same price as my sister has just spent on a quilt and bumper without the cot or mattress lol! she also buys matching curtains etc. and decorates the room to match the bedding. my babies get the room however it comes, and i hang some mobiles. she's spending nearly a thousand on a pram, i spent £50.

a cost often forgotten is the bucketloads of gherkins/bacon butties/bath sponges she'll eat while pregnant, my strawberry habit almost cost us our house :rotfl: