New babies and SAVING money - questions for the Mommies and preggos.......

Were you able to save money either while pregnant or after the baby?

I know a lot of money gets spent, but is there any left at all for savings?

Thanks

Liz, we were able to save quite a bit - but, our goal was mostly to have a down payment for a house, since we were still apt. dwellers when the baby was born.

I also think that how much you can save varies greatly, based upon the income:expenses ratio for each family.
One way to limit your expenditures is to realize that you don't really need all the 'gear' that people say you do for the baby. Less is more!

Claud, your goal is EXACTLY my goal too
I want to be ready for the downpayment in no more than 2 years, but we're suppossed to TTC starting next year. I am trying to make sure I have some sort of realistic goal

You can save money by using coupons also. I have saved over $1000 so far this year just at Stop and Shop alone with coupons. Honestly, when something is on sale and you have a coupon that you can double and you KNOW you use it get more than one. If might not seem like much, but it really does add up quickly.
Also, join all the online 'clubs' you can like pampers.com and sign up a friend or two. You will all get baby stuff coupons. My poor friend Barbara has a 15 and 11 year old and is getting 'Mommy Welcome' mail now I have gotten 2 free bottles of Similac formula and 1 free big powered can of Efamil. Plus lots of pampers coupons.
And bringing lunch to work will save you a ton of money too. Plus not going out to eat as often helps your accounts grow much faster.

Where are you finding all the coupons?
I haven't seen any coupons in the paper for baby stuff. Are you downloading them from the computer with a printer? I don't have a printer.

Thanks michele. I think I need to start clipping and saving these coupons from NOW. I suppose there is no time better than the present to start saving