Baby...how much?

emilyxxx8

Hi All,

Me and my partner are planning on trying for a baby towards the end of this year... we have almost cleared out debts and almost in a position to start saving... I was just wondering how much we would need to save? I know there cannot be a exact price on this but roundabouts??

Em

FakeIrish

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2996720=

emmaanddave

That all depends on your current situation. Write down a list of the basics that you need and start buying if you see anything in the sale. Same goes for a few clothes too. Do you have family who have baby things they no longer need? If money is tight then look on ebay/carboot/freecycle/nearly new sales.

Price if difficult to estimate because what I may think is acceptable and necessary you may not!

Work within YOUR budget. Def shop around though as you will often find something cheaper elsewhere.

Reading your post again, things may well change for you by the end of this year so I wouldn't worry about planning on buying anything until you are pregnant. IMHO.

ema_o

You are in a good position looking at it now and planning as much as you can for it!

Assuming you work now the biggest cost will be the loss / reduction of your wages while you are on maternity leave, then (if you plan to return to work) the cost of childcare for the times / days you are returning.

What I have done for ML is worked out what all our costs will be over the 9 months that I am planning on taking off, then compared against what I will be paid over that time period. It does depend if your work have an enhanced maternity package, if not I think it is 6 weeks at 90% of your wages then SMP after that (about £125 per week) until 9 months, anything after that is unpaid.

If you then compare what money is coming in against what you will be spending you will see what you need to have saved to cover the time off you are planning on taking.

Again (if you are planning to return to work) you can work out your budget for then, add in approx childcare costs and see if you need to save any extra to cover childcare. I haven't looked this far ahead in detail yet (not something I'm looking forwards to but it will be worth it!).

Things for the baby - cot / pushchair etc cost as much as you want them to, you can buy secondhand with a lot or you may be gifted things, so I would say for working out how much to save thefirst step is working out what you will need while on maternity leave.

Don't forget to add in some money so you can afford to do things with baby while you are off - I know a lot of parent & toddler groups are only a few £, but this will add up over time.

Hope this helps!

ginvzt

emmaanddave wrote: »

That all depends on your current situation. Write down a list of the basics that you need and start buying if you see anything in the sale. Same goes for a few clothes too. Do you have family who have baby things they no longer need? If money is tight then look on ebay/carboot/freecycle/nearly new sales.

Do not do that! You have no idea how long it will take you to actually have a baby. If it takes a long time, it might make you more upset/anxious/sad having all the stuff around the house, even if it is in the loft or garage.

We have been trying to have a baby for the last 3.5 years - never thought it would take that long, and we are now planing our second IVF cycle. I am not saying this will happen to you as well, but please, don't expect it to happen on the first month (although I know some people where this has happened).

Put money aside, and you will have 8 months to get your shopping done once you get the positive result on the test.

We have saved money - and then paid for holidays for us. Saved some more, bought a house. It will work out in the end when it happens. As some people say - babies are as expensive as you make them to be!

Apricot

Personally I would save up enough to cover your losses on Maternity Leave - enough for you take off the full 12 months if you desire. Baby bits and pieces can be bought throughout the pregnancy and don't have to involve massive costs so I wouldn't worry too much about having an exact amount in mind.

pinkshoes

Mine is going cheap!

Almost 4 months old, sleeps well at night, but is seriously grumpy after midday, requiring continuous entertainment, screams loudly when ignored, screams loudly when bored (usually about 3 minutes after starting an activity), and likes waiting 4 days to go for a poo, then exploding, requiring a full change of clothes (which results in screaming). Hates day time naps, and loves pulling hair and tshirt necks!

I'm not selling him very well am I?!? He does stop mid-breastfeed and give the most adorable smiles, which makes it all worth while...

To answer the question properly, then other than the loss of your salary whilst on maternity, then the cost of child care if you return, babies can be as cheap as you like with ebay/freecycle etc...

LabLover

lol @ pinks comment :rotfl::rotfl:

digitalphase

I wouldn't buy anything until you actually are pregnant, there are always sales/offers on.

I'd save as much as you can after paying off your debts. You'd need to work out a budget for when you're on maternity leave, if you're working now, and see what the minimum amount you can scrape by on is, then add a few extra hundred pounds per month to be safe. Basically save as much as you can.

We weren't in a position to save anything before being blessed with our pregnancy, however we are managing, and have had a lot of help from family. Baby's are as cheap or expensive as you want them to be, and baby doesn't care if he is in the latest buggy or whatnot, it's whatever suits you best!

Good luck :cool:

Padstow

A baby costs next to nothing. As they grow up, you can double your expediture each year.
Don't think in the short term, thats easy. Wait till they're older, that's when the real expense starts.

KittyKate

I am 9 months pregnant, due in the next 2 weeks or so, and didn't buy any baby clothes until after Christmas - just to be on the safe side, you know, with what happened with Lily Allen and Amanda Holden.

I wrote LOTS of reviews on DooYoo as soon as I found we were expecting - it's paid for toys, the changing station and a stockpile of nappies and wipes! I sold a lot of things when clearing out the room for the nursery which paid for some bits, too - the material for the cushions and curtains, and a feeding cushion and some bedding.

My mother in law, mum and dad all wanted to contribute, it being their first grandchild, and have very very kindly paid for the cot & mattress, moses basket and pushchair/pram. Work, as a leaving gift gave me a gorgeous playgym.

I plan to take 9 months off work, I get full pay for 4 months, then 75% for a month, then a month at 50%, then statutory. Hubby has had a slight wage raise so we're hoping to manage till I go back, and we get decent childcare vouchers via work.

I don't know if I can really put a set price on how much a baby costs...but I'd say if you can build up a reserve for emergencies - I put away £200 a month from my wage into a savings account and also pay any ebay profits in there, and don't touch it unless you absolutely have to.

At a conservative estimate my husband and I have spent maybe £400 buying everything we need including £110 on the cabriofix for the car and decorating the nursery. On the advice of others we haven't bought too many newborn sized things as you will get given a lot and also baby will grow fast.

I am far from an expert, baby hasn't even arrived yet..but I do feel comfortable and prepared (so far!)