When I started to murmer after having my son that I didn’t really want to return to work I got a lot of advice. I mean a lot. Buckets full of the stuff. Here are some of the best tips I think I was ever given (I sadly did not achieve them ALL!)
- Tell people you are on a budget and they will stop putting you in awkward situations (and they understand when they get baby footprint pics for Christmas!)
- Line dry! Line dry! Line dry!
- Meal plan
- Breastfeed as long as you can
- Creative children need imagination and space not ‘stuff’
- Use ‘real nappies’ as opposed to disposable ones
- Parent and toddler groups are the best value EVER!
- Learn to love walking and save on petrol
- Learn to say no to social events and situations you cant afford
- You do not have to impress your antenatal group with having cool baby stuff. You do not. Just be friendly and open. That’s so much more valuable.
- Little babies DO NOT CARE if you have a designer pram or if they have designer clothes. It does not make them happy or shape their future.
- Kids cost more as they grow up so do not blow the savings on stuff for now
- Before you turn up your heating try everything else ( layers, draught excluders, drink hot drinks and socks on!)
- Check every benefit you are entitled to it could make all the difference.
- Look into your mortgages , give your advisor a call. can you reduce payments, have a break, change the type of mortgage you have. Its the biggest expense you have changes could hugely effect your back to work decisions.
- Advice may be free but do not listen to all the advice you are given (except that from your health visitor)
- If someone asks what your baby would like for their christening/birthday/Christmas be specific (swimming lessons, a high chair, new bibs, first shoes are all money saving options)
All good advice I think you will agree. This one was a cracker….
Stop worrying about your own hair or clothes and how you will afford to keep up, no ones looking at you anymore anyway! (How charming!)
Baby Budgeting tips are just common sense but having a baby can send this out the window. Keep talking about money with your partner/family, share your budgeting ideas and try and keep on a good budgeting track.
Other posts you might like:
Reader profile: Sam Thewlis
The Mumsnet Rules - do you agree? Review and Competition
Profile of a Budgeting Mum: Cass Bailey
This is wonderful advice…Wish I had had all this knowledge
when my kids were babies…They are grown now…Be with yours as long as you can…They will all grow up and move on sooner than you think!