Family Financials: What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Special guest Might Mommy has 7 expert tips to reduce the financial stress of having a baby.
Having a baby can be an exciting time for a couple—but it can also leave you worried and stressed out about your finances. Since I’m not a parent, I asked a special guest to share her sage advice in today’s episode. It’s Cheryl Butler, the host of the https://mightymommy.quickanddirtytips.com/. She’ll give you 7 financial tips to plan for a new family member, so you’ll be as prepared as possible.
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A Mighty Mommy Exclusive
Starting a family is one of the most exciting and important decisions a couple will ever make. There is so much to consider: What will the sex be? Can you decide on a name you both like? How will you decorate the nursery? Who will stay home with the baby? And perhaps the most overwhelming question: How are you going to pay for all that comes with this bundle of joy?
Take a breath and relax. I’ve been down this path 8 times, (don’t worry, you don’t have to be extreme like I was!) and believe it or not, once you take the time to figure out what expenses go hand in hand with a new baby, you’ll be able to plan your life and your budget much more efficiently:
The Cost of Raising a Child
According to the Department of Agriculture’s latest estimates, raising a child to age 17 in the U.S. costs about $235,000. This figure includes just the basic expenses like food, housing, transportation, and child care. Add college into the mix and the cost of a child can run much higher.
Here are some key expenses to keep in mind before (and after) the stork arrives:
#1: Maternity Leave
You will need to consider how you’ll manage on one income during maternity leave and a possibly reduced income during the pregnancy. This will of course depend on your employer’s maternity benefits options.
#2: Work v. Stay Home
Who will care for your new baby is a very personal decision between you and your partner. If you are contemplating one parent staying at home and possible future children, you need to determine what your expenses are ahead of time so you can see if your growing family can manage on just one income.
#3: Health and Life Insurance
The most immediate issue when you’re thinking of adding a new member to your family is how much of the associated cost will be covered by your health insurance. Be sure to consider co-pays for both well and sick visits, as well as deductibles and certainly what any out of pocket expenses will be for the prenatal care and delivery. In addition, don’t forget about life insurance. If something happens to you or your significant other, life insurance can help your surviving family cover the bills, including child-rearing expenses and college costs.
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#4: Setting Up a Nursery
Babies don’t come with instruction manuals and they also don’t come equipped with all the items you’ll need to care for them. A typical nursery consists of a crib, bedding, changing table, cradle, dresser/bureau, rocking chair, and even a book case and toy chest.
Next, there are big ticket items such as car seats, high chairs, and strollers. Keep in mind that most expectant moms have baby showers thrown in their honor, but if you don’t receive all your items as gifts, you can either shop the sales or check out great finds at consignment stores, yard sales, and on https://www.ebay.com/ and https://www.craigslist.com/.
#5: Miscellaneous
The web site https://www.babycenter.com/ estimates that disposable diapers for a newborn will cost $72 each month. The same website estimates that using a diaper service would cost $76 and washing your own cloth diapers would cost $19. Food for a newborn varies depending on whether you breastfeed or formula feed. If you breastfeed exclusively, the cost is virtually nothing. The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor website advises that formula feeding a newborn for the first month will cost between $49.50 and $99, depending on how much the baby eats and the formula you choose (and that does not include the cost of bottles). Medicine will cost approximately $23 per month, toiletries will cost approximately $21, and many parents spend as much as $35 per month on toys and books.
So if you’re having a new baby, you should expect to spend anywhere from $148 to $255 per month at the outset. And of course, more as your baby grows and his needs change.
#6: Daycare
If you plan to place your child into daycare, you need to calculate the cost of that service into your budget. According to https://www.webmd.com/, average daycare costs are approximately $1,200 per month. Perhaps hiring a nanny is more your style, and more companies are now offering in-house daycare centers so parents can visit their kids at lunch and break times. Be sure and check with your pediatrician and other mom friends to get recommendations so that you can compare settings and cost.
#7: College
Most parents dream of sending their children to college, and in my case, that’s 8 tuitions! But it’s a priority for our family so we have made sacrifices to make this happen. Paying for college has dictated the size of home we live in, the vacations we take, and even the food we eat. You wouldn’t believe the things I can do with macaroni and cheese! It’s never too early to start thinking about a /money-finance/saving-spending/smart-college-savings-plans.
Having a child is one of the happiest, most exciting, and most stressful times of a couple’s life. The list above is a guideline of what new parents can expect financially. But the overwhelming love and joy you’re going to feel when you hold your baby for the first time—that is absolutely priceless!
For more practical parenting tips, be sure to subscribe to the https://mightymommy.quickanddirtytips.com/.
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About the Author
Laura Adams received an MBA from the University of Florida. She’s an award-winning personal finance author, speaker, and consumer advocate who is a frequent, trusted source for the national media. Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers is her newest title. Laura’s previous book, Debt-Free Blueprint: How to Get Out of Debt and Build a Financial Life You Love, was an Amazon #1 New Release. Do you have a money question? Call the Money Girl listener line at 302-364-0308. Your question could be featured on the show.
