Getting the news that there’s a tiny human about to join you very soon is quite exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming, especially considering how expensive it can be to raise children. Even the birthing part comes with a massive price tag, so anything you can do to save up some bucks before your baby arrives is worth it.
Of course, as future new parents, you may feel like your baby deserves everything from cute outfits to all the latest baby gadgets. However, we urge you to slow down and put that credit card away. Enjoy the “expecting” phase as much as possible and don’t worry too much about what you need to buy. Ask any new parent and they will tell you that they definitely spent too much money on things they didn’t even end up using. And if you do find that you need something, you can always still buy it after the baby comes.
Pregnancy can also be quite expensive. Aside from all the doctor’s visits and other medical requirements, you may end up spending too much on things that you feel are “must-haves” – which, in reality – only have a purpose for less than a year!
Here are some of the best ways to save money for when you’re expecting a baby.
Cancel the Pregnancy Pillow
There’s no doubt that being pregnant isn’t the most comfortable of feelings. A growing belly can cause issues with your hips and back, and lying down/sleeping isn’t as easy as it may sound.
A pregnancy pillow will certainly help you sleep better by providing support to areas like your belly and back, but like most other maternity products, is way too expensive for what is essentially some fabric and cotton! Plus, you only really need one for your last trimester, which lasts about 3-4 months. Instead, you can mimic the comfort of a pregnancy pillow by gathering a few extra regular pillows from around the house. You can place them underneath your belly, between your legs, behind your back, or wherever you feel like you need them.
Cooking Oils for Stretch Marks
Pregnancy brings with it some pretty intense changes to your body – after all, it is doing something magical by growing an entire human being! However, one of the most common types of skin-related “issues” that pregnant women face are stretch marks that can appear on their growing belly and other areas.
These aren’t exactly easy to get rid of and they do not go away after the baby is born. While some argue that there’s no way to actually prevent or get rid of them, others swear by being proactive and beginning to take action early on in the pregnancy.
Enter: stretch mark creams. You’ve no doubt seen advertisements for these, but what they don’t tell you is how expensive they are. They also don’t tell you that you can basically get the same effect from the cooking oils you probably already have in your kitchen. Oils such as olive and almond are rich in antioxidants and provide your skin with natural benefits. Plus, they’re much cheaper!
A Little DIY to Save on Maternity Wear
You may need to find some creative ways to feel comfortable in your pregnant body, but you can certainly save a few bucks by ditching that maternity clothes catalog. I know they’re cute, but resist, resist, resist!
A rummage through your closet will surely give you more than a few options to wear during your pregnancy. Loose-fitting, oversized, or stretchable clothes are a great way to hide or enhance a pregnant belly, whichever one you’re looking to do. You can also skip buying those expensive maternity bras by getting some bra extenders that can help you adjust to your new size. This way, you don’t have to spend too much on clothes that you won’t even wear too long!
Have a Snack Go-Bag
Ask any pregnant lady and they will tell you that sudden hunger pangs are one of the most common side effects of pregnancy. If you don’t have anything to snack on, chances are that you will end up getting the most convenient thing – which is probably something unhealthy and/or expensive.
One way to combat this is to always be ready. Make sure to always have a snack stash of your favorite healthy options. You can add things like nuts, fruits, energy bars, or even dark chocolate (which is rich in fiber and iron!). Putting your stash in the actual bag will also be helpful because you can grab it when you leave the house.
Look for Freebies
Never say no to freebies! A lot of companies offer welcome kits and boxes for parents-to-be, so look around in your locality or talk to other new moms to find out what you could make use of. You may not be able to get everything you need for free, but when it comes to baby supplies, even a small pack of diapers or a travel kit of baby care products can help you cut down on costs – especially during the newborn phase when money can be tight.
Don’t Splurge on Newborn Clothes
Newborn clothes are just so tiny and adorable that even those who aren’t pregnant may not be able to resist them. But trust us, you will get plenty of them from well-wishers or even as hand-me-downs from friends and family. And newborns don’t stay that small forever, so they are likely to grow out of them in just a couple of months. You can save up on the shopping for later when your baby is a bit bigger and the gifts aren’t coming in so much anymore.
Say Yes to Gifts/Baby Showers
One of the best parts about being pregnant is sharing the news with your loved ones, and in turn, being pampered by them. After all, it isn’t just you who is excited by the arrival of your bundle of joy. You may have heard that it takes a village to raise a child, and that starts even before they get here.
Your friends and family may want to help celebrate by throwing you baby showers and buying you gifts. Never say no! You can even create a baby registry so that those who wish to get you something know what you actually need.
