Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Babies: 9 - 12 Months

Sort:
01-25-2013 at 2:04 PM
christinaa...
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-29-2011
193 Posts
1,428 Points
christinaa722 is not online. Last active: 05-14-2013, 2:15 PMNewbie

Saving/spending money??

I'll start this off by saying, I had NO idea how much a little, tiny beautiful baby could cost! In the past few months, we have had to hire a sitter(we were having issues with family watching LO), multiple trips to the ER for both LO and DH, lots of medical and prescription costs since LO has asthma troubles...all of that to say in we've begun spending a few extra hundred dollars every month that we certainly didn't budget for. Have any of you had any kind of financial woes or how ave you cut back on spending in our family/household??
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 2:12 PM
mabenner1
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-23-2008
7,778 Posts
67,000 Points
mabenner1 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 6:04 AMGold
I cut back on spending by cutting coupons and only shopping grocery sales. I stock up on things when they're on sale and I have a coupon for them. For other things (clothes, shoes, diapers, etc), I try to buy things online, through ebates and using promo/coupon codes. I called our cable and internet companies and tried to negotiate our bills down (worked for cable, not internet).
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 3:19 PM
beth2882
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-14-2007
724 Posts
5,947 Points
beth2882 is not online. Last active: 04-25-2013, 7:01 PMBronze

We cut out cable (use netflix and an antenna), we shopped for the cheapest internet and phone, cut the security system (our area is really safe), *considered* dropping my car insurance down to liability since my car is 9 years old, only my DH has a smart phone and data plan (I just do talk/text), we out less, workout by running on the road and not going to the gym, pack lunch for work (no option there - I only have 30 min and no where close to go to).

ETA: Oh!  And we cloth diaper, so no more buying boxes of diapers! 
Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 4:09 PM
MollySm
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-22-2009
6,931 Posts
61,448 Points
MollySm is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 5:34 AMGold
My H is in school and I nanny and bring Lucia to work with me, so we definitely live on a budget. The thing we do that helps the most is using cash. We decide how much money we get each week for groceries/toiletries/formula and diapers and spending money, and we take it out of the bank. When that money is gone we don't spend anymore until the next week. I also plan all our meals for the week, make a list and then only buy what's on the list.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 7:32 PM
skibunny59
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-08-2011
1,321 Posts
8,735 Points
skibunny59 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 9:44 PMBronze
We are on a tight budget right now and I have to say we are doing pretty well saving money.  We cloth diaper, I rarely buy clothes for DD.  She is my parent's first grandchild so my mom is always buying cute clothes for her and when I do buy clothes I buy them at consignment.  We rarely go out to eat.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 8:49 PM
blushingbr...
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-23-2009
890 Posts
10,055 Points
blushingbride_08 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 9:49 PMBronze
I swap clothes/toys with other moms, canceled my gym membership (since I wasn't going anyway), limit my trips to the salon and spa, do meal planning and cooking at home, rarely take professional photos of my LO (I take better pics anyway), oh and I breastfeed!
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-25-2013 at 10:00 PM
LolaBelle5...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-09-2009
St. Paul, MN
1,527 Posts
12,257 Points
LolaBelle515 is online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 6:31 AMBronze

I'm so sorry you've had so many unexpected medical bills?

 

First, if your pediatrician does not have night and weekend hours, perhaps consider finding one that does. An urgent care visit will be cheaper (and more convenient) than the ER...as long as it isn't 3am!  Our pediatrician is open until 10pm, for example.

Second, I'd highly recommend getting a financial planner.  Talk to people in your area about planners they trust that do not work on commission or charge ridiculous fees. There are good planners out there that can help you assess your situation with a new baby and set you on a path to a new budget.  Our planner has been essential in helping us through this changing time.

 

Good luck!  
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-26-2013 at 7:56 AM
meglette41...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-30-2008
370 Posts
5,595 Points
meglette417 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 5:52 PMNewbie

My H is in school and I nanny and bring Lucia to work with me, so we definitely live on a budget. The thing we do that helps the most is using cash. We decide how much money we get each week for groceries/toiletries/formula and diapers and spending money, and we take it out of the bank. When that money is gone we don't spend anymore until the next week. I also plan all our meals for the week, make a list and then only buy what's on the list.

 

This is a good idea but we almost do the opposite, we don't spend more than we are supposed to but put everything on the credit card because we earn points.  Within a year we usually get $300 and I just apply it to our next months credit card bill so for us it is like free money.  But I also am huge on coupons and sales.  Sometimes it is hard but planning ahead and knowing what you may need helps that way when you see a great sale you can pick it up then.  I am always looking at clearance clothes a year out for LO and you can pick things up for $2 or $3.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-26-2013 at 10:46 AM
Zimger
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-09-2011
4,696 Posts
49,969 Points
Zimger is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 12:29 AMSilver

We don't eat out/order out (well we did once but it was a special occasion). I make/reuse/upscale anything and everything I can. We don't have cable. I plan my shopping and dinner menus ahead. We use discounts and coupons.

Shortly before LO was born we made plans to move into a smaller place. We moved in shortly after he was born.

When it comes to activities for LO we go for free/low cost. We go to the park (in proper weather), the library, and story times. we attend several free community functions. There are a ton of free/low cost activity ideas on Pinterest for when you are looking for something to do at home.

Most of LO's clothes come from consignment or are hand made.

It really is doable. There are a ton of blogs out there with money saving ideas.

Happily Married since 2009

I love you to the moon and back!
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickersLilypie Angel and Memorial tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
BPaws
1,006 posts
sunlavende...
994 posts
linzeek44
611 posts
minicheezb...
413 posts
Nest Cayla
388 posts
sheacox
347 posts
NotElsie
306 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
222 posts
Love4Labs3...
203 posts
jertie
112 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! Ecaminos09
SCupp13 sugar4bri
Scout2005 snicksnack
eeengland miss jackie ayala
elf828 jen4ny
ameh13 poopka02
OctBride-2005 Solara210
option458 Mommy2CB
phishgirl29 LJPatrick
MyPlus5 TLM623
JLK483 DoctorBatlyMD
Amylou333 stepper1725
HeyBrittany04 Foutzie44
ELauren88 brookith
lollipie dmm113
From The Nest Boards:
"Finding couple friends?"
marinomelissa on Relationships

"Favorite pumpkin recipes?"
laurasr1984 on What's Cooking?