Today's guest post comes to you from the pen of Becky Goddard-Hill, author of the babybudgeting blog and the book How to Afford Time off with your Baby.
When you are pregnant you might want and need lots of new things, but it is definitely not the time to be spending lots of extra money. Here are some tips for a fabulous but thrifty pregnancy.
1. Books
Don’t spend a fortune on baby names books, week by week pregnancy books, everything you need to know about childbirth and how to get pregnant books. Undoubtedly when the time comes, friends will have a stack of these to lend as will your local library (who for a small fee can request them in if they don’t have them). Have a browse on Amazon to see what you fancy, then check out ebay to see if you can get it cheaper. Books are no more useful if they are new than borrowed, loaned out from the library or second hand.
2. Clothes
It’s not worth spending a fortune on baby clothes – you will be bought lots as gifts and you won’t have a clue what these will be. Hold on for the clothes you will be given and just get a small pack of 3 from a supermarket as a starter set. Plus the fact you may get a shock like me and have a 3lb baby, or like my sister and get an 11lb baby! If you do, newborn sleep-suits will be entirely wrong but at least you will have only wasted a fiver!
3. Wish lists
I think it is a good idea to write a really clear wish list so when you are asked what you would like you can point people in the right direction and get nightlights, sunshades, nappy bags and changing mats that you want and need (and which co-ordinate!) If you don’t speak up it is virtually guaranteed almost everyone will buy you clothes.
4. Wages
You could practice living on one wage now so the shock of reduced income is less when your baby comes, and you will have some money set by. This doesn’t mean you have to be miserable…. lots of lovely times can be had on a budget. You don’t need a last trip to Paris pre-baby or a pregnancy spa, instead try:
- Putting a little love note in your partners pack up
- Having a lazy bath with your best tunes, candles, a big choc bar and a brilliant library book
- Going for a gentle stroll in the country with good friends and a picnic
- Renting a movie you first watched together and cuddles up under a blanket with some hot chocolate
- Setting the table with cloth napkins, flowers form the garden and practically eating out whilst staying in - even if it is pasta it will taste much better this way!
5. Mindset
Do start to become a borrower/second-hand/charity shopper now (maternity clothes, paperbacks, items you may need for when baby comes). Change your mindset now and it will be come a good habit. (Top tip: Visit charity shops in posh areas for some quality bargains!)
Have a wonderful pregnancy! x
For more ideas about being thrifty while pregnant, check out Tamsin's New Mummy Money Guide.
[Image credits: Mukumbura,rosscrawford1,alancleaver_2000.]
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