1. Save up for the next 4 months
We've decided it doesn't hurt to do our best to save as much as we can while we are both working full time. We are big savers anyway so this shouldn't be too tough. Getting a new car this year will be a big one though! (We get it TOMORROW!)
2. Decide how much time we will take off from work
We're pretty sure that I'm taking the full year of Maternity leave that we get in Canada. I really want as much time home with Baby T. as possible and paying for daycare when getting EI is kind of a waste since daycare at that young age is so expensive and hard to find where we live.
3. Review our spending over the past few months using mint.com
Ok, I love this site. Have you heard of it?
As it says on their website, "Mint brings all your financial accounts together online or on your mobile device, automatically categorizes your transactions, lets you set budgets and helps you achieve your savings goals."
You can change classifications of items if you'd like and it creates awesome graphs of how you've spent your money each month. This can really help you keep things in check.
I also love that you can set budgets and it alerts you when you have gone over them for the month. This will definitely help when it comes to budgeting for baby time. Our budgets will shift a bit, but we can manage those changes here to make sure we are still living within the money we are making.
4. Detail our fixed expenses
We've already done this, but have a few things to add this year and adjustments to make. We need to review and have these set so we are prepared.
5. Plan for baby expenses
So apparently babies aren't free. There are a few things we need to budget for when baby is here. We're sure some things will be gifted, but many we will have to buy. I'm leaning towards the investment of cloth diapers. I've seen other bloggers talking about it and think it would be a great way to save some money in the long run. Jetty isn't so keen on the idea, but since I'll be doing the majority of the diaper changing I think I can sway him.
What other things should we be thinking about when budgeting for baby? Any tips you have?
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteThis is cool that you have a plan. I definitely support your desire to use cloth diapers. There must be so many great ones on the market today and with the www the whole world IS your market! Last night on Dragons Den there was a company with "Apple Cheeks" diapers which looked pretty cool.
mint.com looks interesting, but it makes me think of peppermint patties. It's not about that is it :p
Thanks! There are definitely lots of great cloth diapers on the market now. So many to choose from. I was half watching Dragon's Den last night too and was trying to find out what the brand was they were talking about so thank you so much for sharing! It will definitely be one of the brands I look into. =)
DeleteI cant even wait to spoil my little stinker rotten! That will save you money! Me buying things I cant afford! haha
ReplyDeleteHahaha perfect Erica! You are too funny!
DeleteYa for cloth diapers. We are goin with the Flip system by Cotton Babies. It's similar to Apple Cheeks. It's liners with a cover and i have read great reviews. I've also registered for Omaiki which is an all in one which we would likely use overnight. I like them because it comes with one liner and the option to attach another one. So we'll see once our little one gets here which ones work best and adjust. My sister used the Bum Genius by Cotton Babies all in one and liked them. It's definetly more of an upfront investment but worth it I think in the long run to save money and help the environment out.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into the ones you mentioned! Thanks for sharing! You are so prepared! I also think it will definitely be worth it in the long run! Do you think you will have disposables on hand for any occasion (trips)? I'm excited to do the cloth diaper thing. I'll be watching to see how it goes for you ;)
DeleteWe'll use disposables for the first month or so likely - at least until the umbilical cord falls off and depending on how big our baby is. My sister travelled with disposables but the flip system has disposable liners you can buy. I have yet to see them in person though. But many reviews I've read people who don't normally use the flips use them for travel because they are smaller and less bulky to pack (since you reuse the covers). Im excited for it! A weird thing to be excited for but I can't wait to get some of these diapers! I hope to get them for our showers. :)
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