No matter whether you are trying for a baby, a parent-to-be or a new parent, you are most likely on the look out for tips from other mums who are, or have been, in the same situation as yourself, and have found ways of doing things that little bit more efficiently.
To help you with your search, we have collaborated with 6 mums who kindly shared their prenatal and postnatal finance tips with the hope of helping you to mange your money more effectively when becoming a new mum.
Colette from www.goingonanadventure.co.uk
Prenatal:
It can be all too easy to get a bit over excited when you’re pregnant and want be super prepared. This often means you end up buying all sorts of things which you didn’t really need or don’t suit your lifestyle. My advice is to sort out the basics – some nappies, sleep suits, vests, car seat – and then buy everything else you need once baby has arrived and you’ve worked out exactly what your needs are. What was a lifesaver for someone else might just be a waste of money for you.
Postnatal:
Getting a grip on your finances when you have a new baby can be tricky – you want to spoil your new baby with lots of cute toys and clothes, and there’s always the odd trip out for coffee and cake to consider! I can’t tell you how many times I would walk to the supermarket with my baby just for the sake of getting out of the house . . . this can be an expensive pastime! Try to set yourself a weekly budget, and be aware that your income is likely to reduce over time if you have any sort of occupational maternity pay on top of your Statutory Maternity Pay.
Donna from www.whattheredheadsaid.com
Prenatal:
My top tip for budgeting in pregnancy is to start buying disposable nappies and wipes when they’re on offer as soon as possible. That way you can spread the cost and they are the sort of thing you will always need – just make sure you don’t buy too many in size 1 – they grow so fast!
Postnatal:
Once your baby has arrived it may be worthwhile to consider switching to washable nappies – definitely a great way to save money and they are so long lasting that they can be passed down to future siblings too.
Eileen from www.etspeaksfromhome.co.uk
Prenatal:
Maternity clothing can be quite expensive and in a year’s time, you probably won’t be using it again unless you are planning for another child shortly after. Instead of buying lots of good quality maternity clothing, I suggest buying bigger size clothing from high street stores to use as maternity outfits – they fit just as well as maternity clothing!
Postnatal:
Always check at your local care centre if they have a toy library near you. It is worth borrowing toys rather than buying more toys to clutter your house.
Jess from www.theonlygirlinthehouse.com
Prenatal:
When buying all the baby must-haves – moses baskets, buggies, cots etc., it can be a fab idea to have everything brand new for your little one, after-all they are the most precious thing in your life; but spending big bucks and buying new isn’t always necessary. Ebay, charity shops and car boot sales are the perfect hunting ground for amazing baby bits. Remember, little ones use these things for a relatively short period of time, so the chances are second hand items will be in good condition. You’ve got 7-9 months to hunt for these bargains, so you’ll undoubtedly find the style, colour and even brand you’re after at a fraction of the cost.
Postnatal:
Nappies are a necessity but a huge expense, and in those early days you go through what seems like hundreds a day. Whilst it’s tempting and reassuring to opt for branded, well-advertised nappies, in my experience supermarket own nappies were not only about half the price, but in some cases were better than the huge named brands. The same goes for wipes and baby clothing.
Laura from www.littlestuff.co.uk
Prenatal:
Don’t buy huge amounts of newborn baby clothes; young babies tend to spend most of their days in onesies. Also family and friends tend to buy a few cute outfits which they will actually grow out of before they’ve had any wear if you have too many . Save your money and just buy some nice multipacks of sleep suits and vests for winter babies.
Postnatal:
Batch cooking is your friend! Take advantage of having family or friends visiting, have them sit in the kitchen enjoying baby cuddles while you whip up batches of simple one-pot bakes. Once they’ve cooled, freeze them in portions – having instant home-cooked meals ready in the freezer is a total time saver and stress-reliever over the coming few months, and it’ll save you a fortune in takeaways and last-minute-emergency-food-shops.
Emma from www.bubbablueandme.com
Prenatal:
If you’re working before having a baby, bulk buy non-perishable food, toiletries and household cleaning products before you finish work. It will save you money while you’re off and are not earning as much as you were before you became a parent. You can also make homemade ‘ready meals’ for the freezer in preparation for those first busy weeks and months.
Postnatal:
Don’t buy lots of the same brand of nappies – they might not suit your baby and could end up being wasted money if you can’t use them. Buy a few different brands in smaller packs so you can try them about before deciding the one that works for your child.
Thank you to all the mums for sharing their top tips with us. Visit their blogs to find other tips about parenting.
