Enough money for a baby?

TotallyBroke

I think the babies are relatively cheap or atleast mine was.
I breast fed, used washable nappies and bought everything I needed from second hand places.

It's now that he is the toddler that it is costing me in Mum's and Toddler's groups, other activities to stimulate the brain and tire the body lol

I dread once he is at school and he'll be invited to birthday parties, then it's the so and so does karate lessons etc.

Then it's the teenage years with ipods and mobiles and expensive trainers.

Oh gosh god help me lol

Tweetinat

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flea72

the only thing you have no choice on price over, is formula milk. Other than that, you can spend as much or as little on a baby as you want

There is always a friend, relative, neighbour, friend of a friend, who has lots of baby paraphernalia that they are desperate to get rid of for free, or cheaply.

The only true cost in having a baby is the drop in income (unless you are already on benefits, in which case your income will go up!)

Flea

moiramber

I agree it doesn't cost much when they're babies, I buy nappies when on offer, Breastfeed, buy clothes from tesco/ sainsburys, get given loads of clothes for him as everyone loves babies, Buy big toys second hand! My son only used his baby bath for about 6 weeks before out growing it so I wouldn't bother next time!

mluton

If all bills were paid I would say as above not much to keep a baby in the ealier days.

We have spent £2,500 on getting the nursary ready, cot, buggy, clothes, toys, etc.

We spent £60 on 2 sets of mothercare resusable nappies to get us going as this would be the bulk cost over the next few years and are claiming £30 back from the council. (hope this helps people)
http://www.babykind.co.uk/incentiveschemes.htm

We bought the SMA every big shop over the past 6 months and also other things in each big shop to spead the cost as much as we can.

Glamazon

She says 'Less than £500' but not sure if you mean bills like council tax, food shopping, fuel etc.

So far we have bought the vast majority of things second hand so saved a fortune! OH and FIL painted nursery - new cot which had £120 off and included loads of nursery accessories. Buying online and getting cashback also helps!

Myself and MIL have been buying little bits when we go shopping like nappies, wipes etc. I also have a few vouchers for Tesco and ASDA which I plan to use when on Mat Leave to do food shopping.

I have budgeted £10 per week for nappies and £20 for formula milk (due to operations I don't know whether I will be able to breastfeed).

Perhaps I'll revisit this in 6 months time after baby arrives and see if I still feel the same!

flea72

Glamazon wrote: »

I have budgeted £10 per week for nappies and £20 for formula milk (due to operations I don't know whether I will be able to breastfeed):p

a tin of formula should last one week (even the most expensive is about £10 a tin), and based on 6 nappies a day (most get through less), then you should only need one small pack a week, so roughly £5 (less if you use ownbrand) - so you could budget for half that

hth Flea

Glamazon

flea72 wrote: »

a tin of formula should last one week (even the most expensive is about £10 a tin), and based on 6 nappies a day (most get through less), then you should only need one small pack a week, so roughly £5 (less if you use ownbrand) - so you could budget for half that

hth Flea

YAY :T:T:T

I also found out today that my SMP will be more than I thought because I shouldn't get taxed that much (which I had expected).

Thanks flea - I am praying I can BF though!

DaisyFlower

I think as long as you dont need to rely on benefits then it doesnt matter re income as you can budget according to your needs.

emlou2009

norbet wrote: »

I think it's refreshing that someone's actually considered the financial cost of having children before doing so - millions of others don't!

:rolleyes:
theres not always a choice, and i firmly believe that if everybody considered it before doing so, nobody except millionaires would have children! who can honestly say their household and lifestyle wouldnt struggle on one income?