BTDT moms...expense of a baby

this is DH's biggest concern...I say that babies aren't much of an expense (minus the diapers)

what is your take?

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

Babies cost money. Actually formula is a very big expensive. And even though I am going to try to breastfeed, I still have to rent a pump, buy a pump if I plan to BF after returning to work, buy freezer bags for the milk, bottles etc... so it still adds up.
Then there is the furniture- which can be as much or as little as you can afford. But just the fact that you need a few crib sheets and they are over $10 each adds up quick.
And there is all the safety stuff. Claud spent over $500 on gates alone for her house.
Of course, you should get some stuff you need at your baby shower so that will lessen the 'start-up' costs.
Then their clothes- they grow out of them quickly.And baby stuff can cost as much as clothes for us.
And if you work, the cost of daycare is NOT a minor expensive. We are looking at $700-$825 per month for PART-TIME care, and over $1000 for full time care.
And there is the doctor visits and medicines that add-up.
Babies=money there is no doubt about that.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I remember I was on a site one day where they had a baby calulator which showed how much a baby would add to your budget. I will surf around and try to find the site for you.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

My GF keeps saying they are costly, especially diapers and milk Your hubby is right

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I forgot how quickly they grow out of their clothes too and childcare oh the horror

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I knew babies are expensive, but when I bought the Baby Bargains book .... recommended here, I was in shock! But Michele hit the big costs ... day care, furniture, clothing, and diapers & food (if you're lucky enough to be able to BF for a few months, then its not too bad ... but what if you can't? Formula costs a fortune!)

Get the book ... it was a terrific buy & so helpful. $10, free shipping at Buy.com

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

We are by no means in the poor house...but DH was laid off last year and is constantly worrying that it could happen to him at any time again or 10 years from now...but I don't want to live by 'what ifs'


I think he will feel better when we finally sell his house (which has been taking FOREVER) and close on the one here...


Even though I am not working right now...I do plan on working part time...and I have 2 MILs and my own mom that said they would help out...

and I was hoping that the shower and grandma and grandpa would take care of the big items

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I always say this, but its just me.

For anyone in general (not to you specifically Erica) , I say this:

You WILL cut corners and 'make it work' in any situation you find yourself in life.

Three years ago, we were BOTH making really decent salaries. Now we are less my salary, have plenty of expenses, and thank God, we're making it work... Have another baby on the way, Im going to
grad school at nite, house projects, car upgrades , etc etc, etc. Our last name is not Rockefeller , but we're also not starving or deprived of anything. (and not in any debt besides our mortgage).

I think it really depends on the person, and what your spending habits are, and what you will need to cut down on (if anything).

Good luck on your planning, and I agree, dont live by 'what ifs!'...

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

But Anna, what if I just had to say that. Roger said the same thing to me the other day, when I said but honey, what if

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

No question babies cost money but that is why grandparents exist!

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

Anna You WILL cut corners and 'make it work' in any situation you find yourself in life.

VERY true!

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I think Anna's right ... you do what you have to when the situation is needed. And its amazing when you have to cut back, what you realize you can live without. I think if we all waited until we felt absolutely 'ready' to takle the big changes in our lives ... from getting married, to changing careers (or jobs), to having babies .... it might never happen. Sometimes we have to just jump right in & trust that it will all work out ok! Especially when you have the support of loving family & friends .... you'll be fine!! You can what if yourself to death ... but then, its not much fun to live a life like that!

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I agree Anna. You will just a find a way

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I totally agree that you do what you have to do at the time. Hopefully no one will be in that situation. Take a look at your current spending and see what you could easily do without. You can probably find your Forumla and Pamper $$ right there. Also think about the change in lifestyle a baby will bring and how much more time you will probably be spending at home rather than 'out ' = spending $$.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

Good post, Erica!!

I just went through all of the bills that were submitted for my delivery and Sean's birth cost over $30,000!!!!! Obviously, we have medical insurance (excellent insurance, at that!!) but, can you imagine those that are uninsured? EEK!!

Anna's right...you find a way!! My mom and dad had 9 and couldn't 'afford' 1, but we managed to go to Catholic school, have clothes on our backs and food in our stomachs... too much food in my case!!

Fran makes a good point, too. We've definitely saved $$$ because we're not going out to eat as often as we did before, although, I'd love to see a movie!!! Time to call in a babysitting favor!

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

You can look at it this way: Milllions of women are raising children with much less than you have. Therefore, you can and you will do what you have to do.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

I think that yes, you can try to make due BUT I also think it is not always possible to just cut-back and make it work. I think people need to plan a bit also.
Anna- you are lucky that you are able to do so much on one income. I, however, am not in that same position. And that is not because of spending habits either.
I think each couple needs to decide for themselves what their best plan of action is. When you add the expensives of a baby it isn't just 'cutting back' that make some couples afford the costs. Some couples have to work even more hours to make up the costs. So every couple needs to decide what they can and cannot live without, ways to make ends meet and when the time is best.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

We are finding that while YES, babies are costly, it's not as astronomical as we had anticipated. As someone said (Anna??), you just make it work. You do what you, in your individual situation, need to do, and as Natasha said, someone, somewhere is doing it with MUCH less than what you or I have, and is making it work.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

As they get older it gets even more expensive! Video games, the 'IN' sneakers, jeans, etc. daycare, camp.

By the time our children get to college, it will be well over 100k per year!

Our generation is the first where most people have finished college (I haven't yet) but our children will have to finish grad school in order to be competitive!

I find it all very depressing.

Re: BTDT moms...expense of a baby

You will definatley learn how to cut corners!!

buy diapers & formula in bulk at either BRU or Costco. You can get coupons for pretty much anything.

Furniture & all the 'big things' register for them. Clothes for the most part when a baby is younger they are in Onsies & pj's. And for the most part family & friends take care of clothes when the baby is born.

Start buying things when you see them on sale. Look on the clearance racks & buy larger sizes for the future.

It will all work out!! I promise