https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:33:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-2311 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:20:54 +0000 looch 2311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we did. I wasn't sure if I would be returning to work and I wanted to feel comfortable that we could live on one salary. We made a budget and each month, we entered in what we spent and made adjustments as we went along. I felt very strongly about not incurring any credit card debt and being able to fund a savings account for our child. It wasn't easy and there are things along the way that I lusted after, but I am glad we put the money away instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-1601 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:43:44 +0000 LazyLightning 1601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're putting 40% of our net in to savings right now, and that money is basically just for 'future things'. That could be a baby, house renovation, future home purchase, new car... emergencies, vacations, really anything. So we're not saving specifically for a baby, but we're definitely saving. Our goal is to maintain our lifestyle as our family grows. A few years ago we really kicked it in to gear too; we went from 2 new cars with payments, cc debt, etc to all of that paid off and money in to savings. It took discipline but was so worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-1455 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:27:18 +0000 mediagirl 1455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our only debt right now are our cars and the mortgage. We don't use credit cards anymore (went through the Dave Ramsey plan, as well). </p> <p>We put everything other than our monthly bills and expenses into our joint checking account. We give ourselves just $150/ea each month to "play" with. That money has to cover things like new tires, oil changes, eating out, clothes, camera lenses, video games, etc. so we have to be careful with it. At this point, we should have about 4 months of living expenses by June of next year if we stay on our current plan. We know we won't be able to save like this when a baby is here so we're doing everything we can to save, save, save now. </p> <p>I'll be honest with you, I'm worried sick about not being able to afford life when a child comes along. Hearing how much it costs just to be pregnant is now worrying me even more. We don't have an extravagant lifestyle and we don't "do" a lot of stuff. Daycare costs scare me and we can't afford to have me stay home if we continue to pay down the mortgage and put 20% each into our 401k's and max our our IRA's. We want a child and will love them to pieces, but we don't want to not be able to retire someday b/c of one. Ok, I know that was a little OT, but it does help to show where all our money is going. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-1454 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:23:13 +0000 meaganceleste 1454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are already pretty money conscious and we put a pretty good amount into our savings account each month (just shy of 20% of our net (not including what comes out pretax for each of our 401k). This money is earmarked for 'future plans' which include a large down payment on a house, vacations, a baby, etc. So, while its not specifically for a baby, we're in a good position to get knocked up without going into the hole. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-1440 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:31:46 +0000 winniebee 1440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good post! I think many of us are guilty of putting things on credit and not cutting our lifestyles (raises hand). </p> <p>We actually pay for everything on our Southwest card each month and then pay it off every month. If we have a big month (like this month where we booked 2 sets of plane tickets, a course for my husband, and bought 3 wedding gifts) I let myself pay it off over a few months.</p> <p>For the past year, we saved about 20% a month (10% to my 401K and 10% in general savings). DH's salary covers our mortgage and all of our bills. My salary goes towards savings and entertainment. Now that baby winnie is on the way I'm trying to put more into our actual savings (I say I because I'm in charge of our household finances). I can only take 8 wks paid maternity leave (but can take an additional 16 wks unpaid!) and want to be able to take more and not completely stress out over it. Plus, I might go back to work part time and with child care costs.....yikes. </p> <p>Within the next few months, I'd like to up our savings so that we are putting 15% in general savings. I have a target $ in mind for what I want saved when the baby is born - basically 6 months of my salary for unepxected expenses, to finance my unpaid leave, and to cover the first few months of child care. Luckily I have 8 more months to save : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-you-saving-up-money-to-prep-for-the-arrival-of-baby#post-1431 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:39:42 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 1431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since April I've been on a debt-free mode. I am fed up of my debt and am working on getting rid of it all. That being said a part of my current debt is due to my first mat leave with Mavi. Sure I had 50 weeks off (paid partially 70% then 55%) but we didn't make any changes, didn't plan for my salary cut so we credited everything. FAIL. I KNOW</p> <p>Now we haven't been using our credit cards since we started the Dave Ramsey plan in April. But I can't help but wonder if you are saving up money to prep for the arrival of baby. </p> <p>Sure we'll need to think about that when it's time for baby deux, but the idea of slacking off on paying debt to put money aside to compensate my lack of salary is pointless (but I understand the need) </p> <p>I was wondering what you did/ or plan on doing on the finance portion of having a baby. I'm not a SAHM so that is something even more complicated financially (hats off to you SAHMs) and my husband's income is not that high either. </p> <p>Thoughts? </p>