One of the most common pregnancy worries is money.
It’s usually the first place your thoughts go when you find out you’re pregnant.
“I can barely afford my bills right now, how will I ever be able to afford a baby?“
Before your thoughts start to spiral – take a deep breath and remember a few things:
First, remember that thousands of women around the world have babies every day. Each one of these women’s lives are completely different, and yet they all find ways to provide for their baby, which means you can, too!
Time to Plan
It’s likely you found out about your pregnancy at least a few months before your baby is born. This is good news because it means you have time to plan! You don’t have to have all of the money or all of the answers right away.
Take some time to figure out your “give and take” – in which areas of your life are you able to spend less in order to put some more money towards your newest family member?
If the idea of creating a budget or saving money is overwhelming or you don’t know where to start, come to the center and check out our free courses: Budgeting 101, Financial Future, and Financial Emergencies.
One Step at a Time
Remember, you don’t have to have all the baby items you will need right away. It’s okay if you buy things as you need them, rather than getting everything before the baby is born.
Also, you may not need as much “stuff” as you may think. Learn about what it actually takes to provide for your child. For example: it might be wise to spend some money on a nice breast pump, but you don’t need to have the latest and greatest swing in order for your baby to be happy and healthy. Speaking of breast pumps, some may be free with certain insurances. Do you know if your insurance is one of them? Ask us for our resource list and we can point you to other area resources that may help.
Earn While You Learn
When you’re trying to save money, second-hand is your best friend. Buying gently used items rather than new items for your baby doesn’t make you a bad parent. The fact that you’re looking for ways to provide for your child makes you a great parent!
At Abiding Care, we have a boutique that is filled with everything from diapers to baby clothes to car seats.
With our Earn While You Learn Program, you can take lessons on any topic relating to pregnancy, parenting, and life. When you take these lessons, you earn “boutique bucks” or “money” that you can spend on any items in our boutique. This is a great way to learn about your child, and make sure that he or she has everything that they will need!
You Got This!
Last but not least, remember that many people never feel financially ready to have children. So, don’t think that if you had a better job, less debt, a better house, or something more then you’d be ready to have a baby. Chances are, even if you had those things, you may never feel 100% ready. The fact is that you’re ready now, and you can do this!
We’re here to support you – you do not have to figure this out on your own. We can also help you get connected to other resources such as WIC (Women, Infants and Children).
