How much per month is enough for a baby?
Ok so this is my first. A little unexpected. We are both still in grad school. After rent, bills, food, gas, health insurance, car insurance, co-pay money, etc we have $6,000 left per year. Is that enough for a baby?
It seems like we would need way more. So insurance about $1800 per year on our current plan.
Insurance $1800
Food per month $200 x 12 = 2400
Diapers per month $130 x 12 = 1560
$5760 already and that is nothing extra!
As far as baby stuff my mom and grandma will almost certainly get most to all of it for us. My mom has an antique crib, changing table, hi-chair set she is going to give to us.
My family would help some, but this is our baby and the responsibility falls to us. I just want to make sure that is enough to get by.
I do plan on breast feeding, but obviously that doesn’t last forever!
The crib is fine as far as standards go actually. We have $500 set aside every 5 months for emergency.
I already have a job set with NASA for when I graduate with my PhD and I do a little for them already. Together we will make well over $300k a year so that will be no problem when we get to that stage, it is just now that is a problem.
Me and my man are in the same boat!
Well, just finishing school.
Babies cost between 200 and 300 per month.
That includes everything. New clothes, diapers and food.
That’s obviously not 10 brand new outfits each month..but you know what I mean.
You can count on this for the first few years.
So that’s say 250/month on average = $3000 for the year.
Are you breast feeding? Cause then you don’t have to worry about food for the baby..
Basically, don’t total it up as everything the baby needs forever.
Just total what the baby needs per month, the basics.
Cause the crib, toys, stroller etc will be dealt with before the baby’s even here, since your family will help you.
Plus, clothing wise, think about your baby shower.
People give you clothes of all sizes, plus diapers, and little things. Those clothes will last you a little while.
Don’t forget the unexpected costs too.
Nights out, extra bills, car emergencies.
Try to set aside a bit each month incase of those issues.
Think about what a baby days each day.
Sleeps, eats, cries, poops.
As long as you have these things covered..
You’ll need new clothes (maybe a few extra bibs, recieving blankets), baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, baby powder, baby oil, diapers, and your breast milk..or formula.
Babies don’t cost as much as some people think, it’s more of your TIME that’s spent, not your money.
Me and my man are in the same boat!
Well, just finishing school.
Babies cost between 200 and 300 per month.
That includes everything. New clothes, diapers and food.
That’s obviously not 10 brand new outfits each month..but you know what I mean.
You can count on this for the first few years.
So that’s say 250/month on average = $3000 for the year.
Are you breast feeding? Cause then you don’t have to worry about food for the baby..
Basically, don’t total it up as everything the baby needs forever.
Just total what the baby needs per month, the basics.
Cause the crib, toys, stroller etc will be dealt with before the baby’s even here, since your family will help you.
Plus, clothing wise, think about your baby shower.
People give you clothes of all sizes, plus diapers, and little things. Those clothes will last you a little while.
Don’t forget the unexpected costs too.
Nights out, extra bills, car emergencies.
Try to set aside a bit each month incase of those issues.
Think about what a baby days each day.
Sleeps, eats, cries, poops.
As long as you have these things covered..
You’ll need new clothes (maybe a few extra bibs, recieving blankets), baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, baby powder, baby oil, diapers, and your breast milk..or formula.
Babies don’t cost as much as some people think, it’s more of your TIME that’s spent, not your money.
References :
My #1 concern is the antique crib. Go ahead and take a coke can and see if it slides through the slots. If it does, this crib is not safe for baby. Contact your Salvation Army and most of them can help you get a crib.
When times get tough, as they do for many of us right now, look into help through WIC (you can get this now if food is tight), and food stamps. They can help for a period of time. I am not advising you to live off of these programs but we all pay taxes so they are available in times of need.
If possible please try to breastfeed. Not only is it healthy for baby but it’s free. WIC can give or loan you a pump as well, and if you do decide to formula feed they will help with formula for the first year.
You can get through this and it looks like you are really trying to plan.
hand-me-downs are ok as long as you check the website below for recalls, but some items should be new for safety reasons. The main item is a car seat, this should be new. If money is of great concern you may want to consider finding one that will last through most if not all of your baby’s car seat years. I have included a link to a very reasonably priced one that will last your baby until they are 65lbs or too tall for it. It’s price is about $40-100 more than most carrier carseats and it works rear facing and forward facing.
Good luck and congrats!
PS if you need budget help, I have been dealing with a very tight budget for a long time. Feel free to message or email me.
References :
http://www.cpsc.gov/
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/192-8751012-1774458?ASIN=B002C3I8WA&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B002C3I8WA|Graco_My_Ride_65_Car_Seat_Bartlett&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B002C3I8WA&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001
Get on welfare thats the cool new thing now that OBAMA is incharge it is the cool new thing to do.
References :
Alright dear, I am going to give you some advice that I hope you keep with you. You are never going to be finanicially ahead in the aspect of raising a child. My parents were 19 when they had my older brother, and due to my dad’s back injury, he was unemployed for 3 years. They had a combined income of $9,000 a year. Just $3,000 more than what you have left over. And guess what?? My 2 brothers, me and my sister were all raised perfectly fine. Great, actually. My parents couldn’t afford to buy us nice things, but they got us everything we needed. And loved us unconditionally. Babies don’t need new clothes. They don’t need new toys, or a new crib, or new blankets. Don’t be afraid to buy used stuff, or to ask for expensive things on a baby registry. Either way, everyone makes it out just fine. They may not make a lot of money, but they get by. It’s about balancing, working out a budget, and not buying things you don’t need:) good luck to you dear.
References :
Disposables are an expensive convenience. I kept some on hand for a day out, but really you save a bundle by using cloth. Might not work if you are in an apartment and don’t have a washer but it’s something to think about.
You can get gently used clothes at consignment stores or even second hand stores…I did and I also donated too, things that were barely used.
And you can nurse as long as the baby is willing. Won’t really save bucks, but then again it might save on the doctors bills in the long run. Believe it or not, my 2 bf kids (2 years each) have the straightest and most cavity free teeth. My daughter who is 10 now and got bottles and formula has the crooked holey teeth. Go figure.
References :