In this article, I’m going to run through some ways to save money when having a baby. Hi, I’m Sam. I’m on a mission to help women take control of their finances. How? With some simple tips around budgeting, saving and investing.
When I was getting ready for the arrival of bubba, it was truly the most exciting time of my life. I could not wait to get that cute baby in my arms!
I’d spend hours feverishly preparing. Then I’d drop everything and dream of all the exciting things we’d do and all the milestones we’d achieve together. it was truly a magical time, not least because it had taken us so many years to get there.
Lots of Excitement….But Also Lots of Stuff…
One thing I do remember in addition to all the excitement was that there was a lot of stuff that we suddenly seemed to need for our first baby. Add to that having to plan for the drop in income from going on maternity leave. It all equalled the potential for money worries. So how did I handle it?
I love a good life hack. Especially when I knew that we were going to be sleep-deprived and cranky. I wasn’t willing to scrimp on a few bucks if it meant that I’d have to lose precious sleep over it.
I’m willing to spend money on a second version of things if it means I don’t have to stomp downstairs at 4 am to go get ’em!
But I also didn’t want to spend money unnecessarily.
So I reached out to my friends who had small children to get their advice on the essentials we would need, and what was just a waste of money. I bumped that up with my money management skills to create a plan on how to have a baby on a budget.
Once bubba arrived, I finessed this tip sheet and shared it with friends as they prepared for their bundles of joy. I’m so happy to share this with you now. Let me know what you think in the comments! So here goes my top tips for how to save money when having a baby.
Tip 1 – Make a Gift Registry
You might have family and friends who want to help you out. They are the people who care about you and want to celebrate your firstborn with you.
So let them!
Allow them to celebrate with you by having a baby shower and include a gift register. Give them instructions on what will be a useful gift.
There are lots of amazing registry lists out there. Use them to list out all the things that you need. Getting useful gifts that you actually need is a heart-warming way to save money when having a baby.
Tip 2 – Share Hand-Me-Downs
In the days of old, baby items were passed around from mother to mother within the village.
They would be used, mended and shared in perpetuity. From cradles, to ‘napkins’ (nappies), to baby rattles. Nothing went to waste.
It was a beautiful tradition amongst the women of a community: A sacred bond where cherished items were passed down.
Use the impending arrival of your new baby to connect with your close family and loved ones. Hear about their experiences of parenthood while you share baby items. When your baby outgrows them, pass the items back around.
Tip 3 – Take Advantage of Free Stuff
There are lots of apps available now, designed to be a modern take on sharing hand-me-downs. I used the Olio app (UK) to pick up lots of brilliant items for bubba.
From play-mats to baby clothes, baby bathtubs, and bottle sterilising equipment. The list goes on and on. It shows you items for free in your local area. I saved about $300 from this app alone. It is a fantastic way to save money when having a baby.
Tip 4 Buy Pre-Loved
The next best thing to free stuff is pre-loved items. You can pick up amazing bargains from local charity shops and online. Facebook market place, e Bay and Vinted have a great range of baby and children’s clothes and other essentials.
Babies will grow at an astonishing rate. I have some outfits that bubba wore just once before she outgrew them!
It’s not worth the money to buy her new clothes at that rate. About 95% of her wardrobe is pre-loved. It is a great baby money-saving tipway to save money when having a baby and it is great for the environment as well.
Tip 5 – Try Meal Prepping
Meal prepping is a fantastic way to save money when having a baby when they start solid foods at about six months of age.
Food is a big expense after housing and transportation. If you check your monthly expenses you’ll probably notice this yourself, especially if you eat out a lot or order a lot of take-out food.
Once the baby gets here, you’re going to be pretty busy and tired for a while (but it will get better – I promise!).
One of the things that often falls by the wayside is healthy eating and cooking. Once those take-aways start coming in, the food bills start to spike and the budget can fly out of the window.
Being forewarned is being forearmed. Practising food prepping ahead of time can save you hundreds each month, and thousands of dollars every year.
Once you get the hang of it, you can find super quick and easy recipes and get into a rhythm where it takes very little time.
All you need is freezer space, somewhere to cook your food and maybe a food processor to make chopping vegetables faster.
If you can add food prepping for your baby once they start solid foods at six months, you’ll save even more money.
Pre-packaged baby foods are expensive. Making your own baby food is also a healthy way to save money when having a baby.
Tip 6 – Don’t Forget to Claim Your Entitlements
Child Benefit
Check if you are eligible for child benefit and start claiming child benefit as soon as your baby is born
As of 2024 child benefit is £100.80, paid every 4 weeks for the first child until they are aged 16 years.
Not only that, you will be accruing National Insurance credits.
What Does National Insurance Credit Mean for Me?
Earning National Insurance Credits will pay off for you in the future. They will allow you to claim a greater state pension when you reach the age of about 68.
This may seem like a lifetime away. But it will surely creep up on you!
Click here to read up on National Insurance Credits
Sure Start Maternity Grant
You may be eligible for other types of grants depending on your circumstances. For example, if you are a full-time higher education student, or if your child has special educational needs.
If you are already on benefits and you live in England or Wales, you may be eligible for a Sure Start maternity grant of £500.
Help With Childcare When You Return to Work
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can get financial support for childcare starting at 15 hours per week from September of the year when your child turns 2 years of age. This is as of 2024.
This rises to 30 hours from the September of the year that they turn 3 years old. This could equal a serious saving, so it is worth checking out.
Family Help
If you’re able to get help from family even if it is only one day a week, take advantage of it. If you can add that onto the tax-free childcare the savings will pile up.
Every parent knows that the only true parenting hack is to live close to the grandparents.
Save Serious Money When Having a Baby!
So that’s my list of the 6 biggest money savers for the baby. If you add these tips to your entitlements check, plus check out the best ways to save money for maternity leave, you can save thousands of pounds.
You got this mama! Please leave a comment and share your experience of preparing for a new baby. How were you able to save money? What worked best for you?
