My Baby and I

How to Budget for a New Baby - 5 Top Tips

With the average parents spending in the region of £1,500 before their baby is even born, having a baby is an expensive business. However, there are many things you can do to minimise your spending in those first few months.

• Don’t buy too many newborn baby clothes or toys. Once the baby is born you will get given plenty of gifts and clothes from friends and family, and until you know the weight of your baby you may find you buy clothes that are too small or too big for him or her.
• Hold a baby shower and write a gift list. Baby showers are common in America and are becoming increasingly popular over here in the UK. A baby shower is usually hosted by the mother-to-be, who invites her female friends and family members to her house for a social gathering. Invitees bring a present for the baby for when it is born. By writing a gift list you can get what you want and avoid having items duplicated. You could set up one with a well known high street or Internet shop, much in the same way as a wedding list works.
• Buy second hand or borrow. Go to ‘nearly new’ sales, such as those run by the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), to buy second hand clothes, toys, furniture, baby equipment, and borrow or buy from friends or relatives that have had babies. However, don’t ever buy a second hand car seat or cot mattress due to safety issues.
• Don’t buy needless stuff. A baby really doesn’t need much in the way of clothing, toys and equipment to survive. Get recommendations from friends and family that have had children on what they actually really needed and what they could have done without. Research all products carefully before buying to make sure you definitely need it.
• Always shop around. Supermarkets, high street stores and chains, and the Internet can often provide cheaper supplies than specialist baby and nursery shops, so always shop around to compare prices and get the best deal to suit you. If you plan ahead and allow plenty of time for buying goods you should be able to buy what you need cheaper in the sales or on ‘buy one get one free’ offers.

How to Budget for a New Baby - 5 Top Tips

With the average parents spending in the region of £1,500 before their baby is even born, having a baby is an expensive business. However, there are many things you can do to minimise your spending in those first few months.

• Don’t buy too many newborn baby clothes or toys. Once the baby is born you will get given plenty of gifts and clothes from friends and family, and until you know the weight of your baby you may find you buy clothes that are too small or too big for him or her.
• Hold a baby shower and write a gift list. Baby showers are common in America and are becoming increasingly popular over here in the UK. A baby shower is usually hosted by the mother-to-be, who invites her female friends and family members to her house for a social gathering. Invitees bring a present for the baby for when it is born. By writing a gift list you can get what you want and avoid having items duplicated. You could set up one with a well known high street or Internet shop, much in the same way as a wedding list works.
• Buy second hand or borrow. Go to ‘nearly new’ sales, such as those run by the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), to buy second hand clothes, toys, furniture, baby equipment, and borrow or buy from friends or relatives that have had babies. However, don’t ever buy a second hand car seat or cot mattress due to safety issues.
• Don’t buy needless stuff. A baby really doesn’t need much in the way of clothing, toys and equipment to survive. Get recommendations from friends and family that have had children on what they actually really needed and what they could have done without. Research all products carefully before buying to make sure you definitely need it.
• Always shop around. Supermarkets, high street stores and chains, and the Internet can often provide cheaper supplies than specialist baby and nursery shops, so always shop around to compare prices and get the best deal to suit you. If you plan ahead and allow plenty of time for buying goods you should be able to buy what you need cheaper in the sales or on ‘buy one get one free’ offers.

30 Comments »