https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 09:40:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-801065 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:39:40 +0000 yellowbird 801065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually had no money whatsoever when I got pregnant because I was in professional school. I got a job 3 months before I was due and saved basically my entire income those three months. I completely covered our expenses and had some leftover during my 10 week leave. After I returned to work my student loan payments kicked in, but we were still able to save enough to put a downpayment on a house and have the same amount left in savings.</p> <p>Now that that's out of the way, we will work on building up the savings ( I would like to have 6 months expenses) and saving for retirement! No more little ones for us until our incomes increase and my loans are paid down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-800985 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:20:39 +0000 cascademom 800985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We saved and saved during my pregnancy. We were fortunate enough to get hand me downs from my brother and SIL. I saved all of my PTO so my last month of maternity leave was paid. It was tough not taking PTO when I was hurting through pregnancy, but it meant that we had continuous income when I wasn't working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-800962 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:14:14 +0000 jhd 800962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the article! We will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary June 5 &amp; this will be our first cycle TTC. </p> <p>We have been planning since we got married for me to be a SAHM once baby comes. We have very little debt and are saving all of my salary for a down payment on a house. </p> <p>I've been bugging DH lately about setting me up a section in our budget for baby stuff! ;) Not sure how much to budget for maternity clothes, baby stuff, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799783 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:39:04 +0000 LazyLightning 799783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @PurplePumps we are big savers who live within our means, and could easily live on just DH's salary (though mine adds a lot of extra oomph). So, we didn't really need to prep a lot. I'm taking 12 weeks and 9 of them will be unpaid... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799782 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:38:32 +0000 mediagirl 799782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I like the way you think! We, too are planning for our future (and having kids late - M was born when I was 34, turning 35). I could never stop working because of our future plans (like retiring someday). I think everyone looks at things differently. I had to see "spendable" money in a separate account from our savings accounts so I wouldn't feel like I was draining our life savings accounts after she was born. It worked out well for us and kept my husband from freaking out. ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799774 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:32:44 +0000 PurplePumps 799774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've always been big savers and live well within our means. If we *had* to, we could live on DHs salary, but it would be too much financial sacrifice. As of now, I would still plan to go back to work after having a LO so we'd still be comfortable. The only thing different we considered was how much we would put away for college for them. We contribute about 15-20% to retirement each year, so, while undesirable, that's our safety net that we know we could always cut back on if it got to that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799707 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:47:30 +0000 looch 799707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I look at the whole financial planning situation a little differently, I think. For me, financial planning is lifelong, it doesn't just end when an event happens. </p> <p>My son was born when I was 35. My husband and I are obviously a little older and have longer working histories that afford us really good salaries. So when I do something like calculate the percentage of my salary that it would take to cover day care, it doesn't make sense for me to stay at home. I also look at things really long term, like what would our retirement plan be? Do we want to stay where we are or downsize? What are the plans for our son's college and higher education? Do we have to help our parents in anyway?</p> <p>As long as I am able bodied, I will probably work in some capacity. I worked hard to get where I am and the paycheck doesn't hurt my wallet, let's put it that way. We're pretty basic in the sense that we live within our means and we could easily both scale back hours and still maintain our standard of living. That's the critical point for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799702 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:44:26 +0000 mediagirl 799702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: that's smart!! </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: we did that, too. We have 6 months of expenses in our emergency fund and paid off the last of my credit card bill 19 days after our daughter was born. It felt good to know we were protected in case either one of us had medical issues that kept me out of work longer than expected.</p> <p>@MrsStormy: @Mrs D: @mrs. tictactoe: that is so amazing that your medical bills were paid in full by insurance!! </p> <p>@Sprite: we're still figuring this out!! :) Thankfully, we had enough "extra" each month that we saved/played with before that now goes to daycare/continued savings. It's amazing how you "make it work" once the baby is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799694 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:36:29 +0000 sorrycharlie 799694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were already used to lack of my income because I was finishing grad school, so when I nannied over the summer I put that all away for student loan payments. I was able to save enough for a year of payments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799678 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:22:25 +0000 edelweiss 799678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that's awesome! when we found out i was pregnant, we moved to a cheaper area so we could comfortably afford daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799635 Wed, 22 May 2013 04:22:16 +0000 illumina 799635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing. We waited to start our family at a time when we would be pretty comfortable on DH's salary alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799624 Wed, 22 May 2013 02:44:08 +0000 SweetMamaM 799624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While we aren't pregnant yet, we joke that we're so used to not having any money that nothing will change. My employment situation was rocky (student and then substitute teaching) from the start of our relationship and once that was sorted, we were engaged and all my wages went towards wedding savings. After the wedding, we've bought a new car and we're saving towards making a couple of other major purchases. Pretty much, we've become used to being a one-income family and using DH's wage to pay for all our necessities, so we'll be fine when we become a one-income family for proper! We just won't save much :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799547 Tue, 21 May 2013 22:51:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 799547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, man... I used to have lofty goals about having an emergency fund, a baby fund, AND being out of debt before we had a baby. We'll probably have one out of three by the time our LO gets here. Right now we are trying really hard to just sock away as much as we can in our emergency fund. Once we hit 3 months expenses, we'll keep on saving until LO gets here, but I think LO will probably get here first! We're moving in my parents soon so we can cut back on expenses and work on paying off our debt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799170 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:43:13 +0000 MrsStormy 799170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We found out we were pregnant in the middle of a kitchen remodel, so we wanted to have all of that paid off (we paid for it all in cash, but did charge some smaller things like our sink, faucet, etc). We also wanted to replenish our savings since it took a small hit from the remodel. We have done those things and I am only half way there, so now I would like to take a trip, which we are doing in 2 weeks, get that totally paid off and repay ourselves for, and then I'd like to save a couple thousand more, just so we have a little extra cushion for hospital bills. </p> <p>Fortunately I will have 12 weeks of paid leave, so I don't have to worry about subsidizing that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799096 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:11:24 +0000 Anagram 799096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't really "plan" BEFORE trying to conceive, and since we got pregnant on the first try, we had to just plan after the positive blue line. But in the past 8 months, I've managed to:</p> <p>1) pay off the little bit of wedding-expense related credit card bill</p> <p>2) start saving as much as possible from my own paycheck, with an end goal of $12,000 total--$2000 for baby stuff (we aren't having a shower) and $10,000 for my 5 months mat leave, which is 2k a month, or 1/2 my usual take-home salary. I have 3 paychecks left, and I'm at $10,000 so I just may make it (hopefully!)</p> <p>My husband has found us a condo and bought it, so we can have a slightly bigger space. He makes more money than I do, and he came into our marriage totally debt free with a large savings, so he does the "heavy lifting" of our finances, which has allowed me to save more of my salary.</p> <p>That's about the extent of our planning! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-799089 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:07:49 +0000 LovelyPlum 799089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm...we are coming from a slightly different position, since we are both in school full time and get stipends, not salaries. We started TTC once we knew that DH would be done by the time baby gets here. Then, he will work full time and I will be still in school for three more years.</p> <p>We still save a lot, but it is not huge. We have really tried to make and stick to our budget. We started buying groceries in cash, which helps! We also decided to stay in our apartment , which is a one bedroom, for another year. It is nice here...and cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798998 Tue, 21 May 2013 18:34:34 +0000 Mrs. Pen 798998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We definitely budgeted and made wise purchases. We adjusted by cutting down on eating out, buying less clothes and "toys", etc... I wasn't working while I was pregnant due to issues with my previous job so we did what we could with just DH's job. We didn't save much, but once I was actually a sahm things were rough. It's been a lot better since I've been working! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798843 Tue, 21 May 2013 17:14:19 +0000 Sprite 798843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great article! We've made sure we have a savings account just for covering 12 weeks of leave (although I'll get to use vacation time for part of it) and enough to cover medical expenses and nursery/baby gear. It's the budgeting after there's a baby that I haven't figured out yet, since things can vary so much depending on your kid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798821 Tue, 21 May 2013 17:02:47 +0000 aprk 798821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We made sure we were in a financial position that I would be able to quit my job before baby arrived. Success! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798810 Tue, 21 May 2013 16:56:42 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 798810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think when we TTC we will keep putting our regular amount into savings (minimum 25% of take home pay) but instead of saving 25% of mine we will do 100% so we get used to me having no income and save a whack load. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798714 Tue, 21 May 2013 16:09:57 +0000 Charm54 798714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH budgeted like crazy for the year that I am off on mat leave. He is always adjusting the numbers, adding new expenses etc. I'm glad I have him!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798662 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:49:13 +0000 yoursilverlining 798662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We saved for medical care costs (ours were about the same as @Mediairl's costs, with good insurance, sigh....), and also to cover the portion of my maternity leave that would be unpaid (6 weeks were paid 100%, then nada). </p> <p>We also wanted to have a bit more of a cushion for the stuff you don't know you'll need until baby gets there; medical and otherwise so we didn't have to dip into our existing nest-egg. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798653 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:44:18 +0000 HLK208 798653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good job saving!!</p> <p>I saved our tax return (around $2k) to pay for medical bills and we saved $250 a month for baby related expenses (gear and clothing). I'm a SAHM so without a paycheck it wasn't hard on my behalf. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798624 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:35:05 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 798624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We paid off our debt and got to a place where we can save 20% for retirement. Then we bought a house so we added some debt back. We made sure to budget everything on my dh's salary because we plan on me being a SAHM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798602 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:25:55 +0000 lavender 798602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We saved the equivalent of 3 mths pay for me since my whole maternity leave (12 weeks) was unpaid, for my medical bills I only had to pay the deductible otherwise it was all covered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798600 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:24:42 +0000 Mrs D 798600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a target of $5K in savings before LO arrives, which I am on track for. Also, I'll have $3K in a separate account for me on leave so I can still live. I only get 6 weeks at 60%, plus my 2 weeks of vacation (full pay) and 4 weeks unpaid.</p> <p>My insurance covers 100% of delivery once I am admitted so I dont have much coming in terms of medical bills assuming all goes well with LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798583 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:18:48 +0000 DillonLion 798583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nice!! I also put away a lot of extra money while I was pregnant so that I could pay my student loan payments and incidentals while I was on leave. We managed to have enough to pay all of my hospital bills and also buy a couch and get gifts for the holidays (since my maternity leave was end of November - February) using the money I had saved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798574 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:16:26 +0000 Foodnerd81 798574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We waited until DH's salary was enough for us to live on so I could be a SAHM. It worked out for a number of reasons-- we weren't totally ready to have a baby before that anyway, and I knew I wanted to be a SAHM and was willing to wait an extra year to make that happen. That was pretty much it, since we are already fairly comfortable and put a lot into savings, so the biggest change will be that we aren't put as much into savings every month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798565 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:11:48 +0000 winniebee 798565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took an additional 4 months of maternity leave (only 8 wks was paid) and I saved about $20K so we wouldn't have to worry about going broke while I didn't have an income. We did spend most of that though b/c I am the primary breadwinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-financially-for-baby#post-798561 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:09:50 +0000 plantains 798561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was on maternity leave for 6 months and some of it was only at partial pay so we saved up enough to cover my salary for that period and some additional money for gear. My insurance is really good so we barely had any out of pocket costs. </p>