If you think that the financial crunch for new parents doesn’t begin until after the baby is born, think again. Many expectant parents are surprised by the expenses related to pregnancy even beyond the medical costs and costs of pulling a nursery together. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself digging deep into your pockets to cover one of these five surprising pregnancy expenses.

1. Loss of employment. Even the healthiest women can wind up on bed rest at some point during their pregnancy, and if you were planning on working right up to the point of labor then this can have a huge effect on your budget especially if you were counting on that income. Most parents brace themselves for one parent to consider staying home after the baby is born, but when that time comes sooner than expected it can be a huge financial issue.

2. Maternity clothes. You may tell yourself that you’ll get away with sweats and huge t-shirts for your pregnancy, or that you’ll buy a few things and that’s it, but then your sister announces she’s getting married and you’re the matron of honor or you just can’t stand wearing the same clothes over and over again. Whatever the cause, you can expect to pay more for maternity clothes than you initially budget for. Just be sure to try to get them on sale.

3. Last chance for fun. It’s a realization that most expectant parents have at some point during the pregnancy: This is your last chance to be together alone for quite some time. Even if you hadn’t planned on (or budgeted for) a quick vacation or getaway, don’t be surprised if you get the sudden urge to pack your bags and have one last trip before the baby comes. Most new parents will agree that this is one pregnancy expense that is definitely worth it.

4. Relentless cravings. Not all pregnant women get cravings, but some women get them so relentlessly that they must indulge in whatever they crave every day. This may not seem like much of a financial drain, but if you crave a $5 blended coffee drink (decaffeinated, of course) twice a day for seven or eight months that’s more than $2000. Really. You’ll either need to budget for this expense or find something a little less expensive as a craving substitute.

5. Fun extras. Even the most frugal expectant parents can get taken aback by all the really fun things available during this time. Expectant moms can get casts of their bellies. Parents can pay out of pocket for a high resolution ultrasound and send copies of the session to family members. Pregnancy portraits are popular as are spa times for expectant parents. You’ll probably talk yourself into one or two fun extras during the pregnancy, but if you indulge in every little thing available then you’re heading for financial trouble.

Pregnancy is an ideal time to save up some money because once the baby arrives it becomes much harder to balance a budget. Try to avoid frivolous spending, but if circumstances beyond your control force you to spend more money than you anticipated then just try to get back on track as quickly as possible. Having a new baby can be stressful enough; don’t add to the stress by piling up debt.

If you have recently had a baby then you probably already know that you’re spending more than you thought you would. You can take solace in the fact that you’re not alone; most new parents find themselves stretching their budget further than they ever had before. No matter how much misery loves company, however, nobody likes to watch their credit card balances steadily increase over time.

If at all possible, new parents should try to avoid using credit cards. Why? Here are ten reasons:

1. You spend more with credit cards. Most people find that when they shop with credit cards they’re more likely to spend more money than if they use cash, checks, or a debit card.

2. You buy things you don’t need. It’s so much easier to make impulse purchases when you have a credit card in your hand. Every new parent knows how easy it is to buy every cute baby item you come across.

3. You obligate future income. When you use your credit card you’re basically saying, “I know I can pay this in the future,” but nobody really knows that for sure. Take care when obligating yourself to pay something down the road.

4. You pay interest. Unless you pay your credit card balance each and every month you’ll wind up paying interest charges. Even if you have a relatively low interest rate you may still wind up paying close to $100 a month in interest if you have a high balance.

5. You might pay fees. Send a payment in late or exceed your spending limit and you’ll wind up paying costly fees. You have better things to spend your money on, like diapers or teething rings.

6. You start to rely on credit cards. If the costs associated with a new baby have you using your credit cards more than usual, beware. It is all too easy to fall into the pattern of using credit cards for every day expenses, and this is a dangerous situation.

7. You don’t budget. Turning to credit cards to make purchases means that you don’t have the cash to buy the things you need, and that means you probably aren’t budgeting. If you don’t have a budget in place then now is the time to write one.

8. High balances can hurt your credit score. If you are piling up your debt then your credit score may suffer, even if you make payments diligently every month. You’ll want a great credit score for when you finally give in and finance that minivan.

9. Spending habits as a new parent endure. The way you spend money right now will have a lasting effect on your future spending habits as a parent. Set the precedent now to only use credit cards when you really need to.

10. Before you know it, your baby will start to pay attention. Do you really want your child to grow up thinking that every time you want to buy something that you can’t afford you simply reach into your wallet and pull out a credit card?

Credit cards can be useful if they are used responsibly, but when a new baby comes along you may find yourself much more tempted to spend with reckless abandon. Use your credit cards as sparingly as possible and you have a much better chance of keeping tabs on your finances.

by: Susan Koiner

Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along with your expanding waistline comes the ever growing list of products for you and your new bundle of joy. Preparing for a new baby can be a costly experience, especially in the areas of clothing and nursery furniture. The good news is that it does not have to be!

Let’s talk about buying baby clothes…think RESALE! Every new mom gushes over the adorable clothing available for babies, but they often come with a not so adorable price. Resale clothing costs a fraction of the retail price. Buying resale clothing does not equal buying trash! Moms sell their baby’s clothing to resale stores for a variety of reasons. Babies outgrow clothes so quickly (normally before they show any wear) they simply cannot use them anymore. Many precious newborns receive more clothes than they can wear in a season (everyone loves to buy baby clothes for shower gifts–they are just too cute!) that cannot be returned and they end up in resale stores with the tags still on! If you have the time and know what you are looking for, you can find plenty of designer and brand name clothing for a steal!

Buy now…save later! There is more beauty to the changing of the seasons than just the landscape! As the temperatures change, so do the prices of baby clothing! Most stores slash the price of their clothing up to 75% by the end of the season to make room for new clothes. Take advantage of this by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s current size for him/her to wear the next year. The savings are amazing!

Another large expense when you are preparing for a new baby is furniture for the nursery. A good place to start when considering which pieces to buy is determining how much room you have to work with? Do you have a large room or do you need multipurpose furniture? A crib is a necessity and a given; however, you can pick and choose other nursery pieces. Combination pieces such as dresser/changing table combos are available at some stores and can save you from buying two pieces. Cribs with attached drawer space that convert to toddler beds are also available and will save you a lot of space. Thinking ahead when buying nursery furniture will save you both time and money in the future. By buying a combination piece of furniture for your nursery, you eliminate having to sell furniture you no longer need, as well as spending time looking for and more money on new “big kid” furniture. Now that you have decided what to buy, it is time to shop! Once again, think resale! There are many children’s resale stores that carry pre-owned nursery furniture for 50% or more off retail. They usually have several styles to choose from in different price ranges. If you find something you like, they will usually hold it for you (if you were not really prepared to take it home) and some stores may even have lay away plans.

Another great place to buy pre-owned furniture is the classified ads in your local newspaper. Seller’s usually place ads on Thursday or Friday so they can catch the weekend readers. If you find something you are interested in, call quickly! Good furniture does not last long! Make sure you ask the seller plenty of questions. It is important to know before heading out to look at furniture things like the manufacture name, the age, if they have pets (if you are buying cushioned items and allergies are an issue for your family) and the exact color (if it is not adequately described in the ad). Asking these questions may be uncomfortable, but they can save you a lot of time and gasoline looking at something you know you will not be interested in. When you do look at pre-owned furniture from the newspaper, take someone with you and know what you are looking at. Are the style and the manufacturer of the furniture worth what the seller is asking for it? Is the furniture reasonably priced for it’s age and condition? With a little knowledge, buying pre-owned nursery furniture can save you BIG money!

Awaiting the arrival of your new baby is an exhilarating time! Add to the excitement by saving money on quality gently worn (and sometimes new) clothing and pre-owned nursery furniture!

About the Author:
Susan Koiner is a SAHM, and former teacher, of three great kids ages seven, four and three. Her family, like many others, struggles with the challenges of “one income” and from this comes her passion for finding creative ways to save money. Susan is also the owner and creator of www.money-moms.com.