Guest Post by Emily Graham of Mightymoms.net
Preparing for a new baby on a tight budget? You’re not alone! Statistics show that saving money is important for most expectant parents. Finding those savings can be simple too, if you know where to look and how to plan. So if you are trying to prepare yourself, your home and your life for pregnancy and a new baby, be sure to use these savvy tips to save and keep your spending under budget.
Celebrate Your Baby Without Blowing Your Budget
Bringing a new life into the world is a big deal. So you should definitely take steps to commemorate this special time in your life. You should also know that celebrating pregnancy milestones doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For example, instead of going over the top with your gender reveal, Kindred Bravely suggests using creative gender reveal ideas to mark this special occasion. Have some statement T’s printed for you and your partner, or have a friend help out with an artsy social media photo session. By being creative, you can ensure your gender reveal is unique instead of merely expensive. If you love the look of your gender reveal photos, you can also create maternity photos that will help you remember the months ahead. Have that same friend help out with taking photos, or look for photo studio discounts to help cut costs. Finally, don’t forget to book and budget for a babymoon staycation. Visit a vacation rental website, and book a short-term rental to relax before the baby arrives. Los Angeles is a prime choice for getting away, and Turnkey notes you can easily find a rental close to picturesque places like the Hollywood Sign and the Santa Monica Pier.
Care for Your Changing Body Without Excess Costs
Pregnancy can be wonderful, but it can also change your body. Many moms experience less-than-pleasant side effects while pregnant, including morning sickness, swelling joints, and stress. Reducing that stress, however, is important for your health, as well as the proper development of your baby. So try to find low-cost self-care to relieve pregnancy symptoms and take better care of your body. You can whip up some DIY belly butters, using low-cost ingredients like coconut oil to remedy stretch marks, and you can also use essential oils to relieve nausea and other symptoms. Shopping for budget-friendly healthy foods is also a good way to nurture yourself and your developing baby, so be sure to stock your pantry and refrigerator with nutritious ingredients for pregnancy snacks and meals. Finally, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, working some at-home exercises into your routine can give you a boost during pregnancy without paying for a pricey gym membership.
Prepare for Your New Baby While Enjoying Easy Savings
There’s more to preparing for parenthood than stocking up on baby gear and essentials. You also need to fill your brain with knowledge and tips that can make caring for a new baby easier. You can check out some online parenting forums to snag free pregnancy and baby care advice, or you can also pick up some books to give your brain a boost. Be sure to buy those books used in order to get the best deals, and also look for used children’s books to fill your new nursery. Maternity clothing and baby clothes can also be easily purchased used, and it often makes more sense than buying these items brand-new. If you prefer to spend as little as possible, you can also look for new mom freebies. These deals change all of the time but you can usually find a few free products that can help offset your baby budget, and you may be able to score coupons to help with future purchases as well. Consider this informative guide on Cooking Healthy on a Budget.
Pregnancy can come with some unexpected changes and expenses, but with the right tips and planning, you can be well-prepared without spending too much. You can start by searching for deals and shopping for supplies early to find the best deals for your budget. Then use the other tips in this guide to take care of your pre- and post-partum needs and still stick to a frugal budget for your growing family.