Got a little person on the way? Firstly, congratulations. Secondly, how are you feeling?
When you have a baby on the way there are a whole lot of thoughts and emotions happening, we know. The addition of a child into your life brings with it a lot of new things to consider, including money matters. That’s why we’ve put together some money saving tips for when you’re expecting – hopefully, they will help ease any financial concerns you may have.
#1
First up, make a plan for what you want to buy brand new and what you are happy to buy second-hand. You may feel that items such as a car seat and a pram need to be brand new, but that a cot or nursing chair could be pre-loved. By deciding this early on you can create a budget and plan to stick to it. By purchasing items second-hand, you could end up saving yourself thousands of dollars!
If you need help creating or managing a budget, then check out our budgeting app, mymo by P&N Bank. It’s like a personal financial assistant in your pocket.
#2
Set up accounts with retailers online and make wish lists on their websites. By doing this, you’ll be notified of when an item you’re interested in goes on sale and also learn about any special offers or discount codes that are available.
Consider getting an account set up with a rewards or cashback scheme too - there are plenty of websites and apps to choose from. Some offer you discounts on gift cards that you can then use to shop, others give you money back into your account when you shop at certain retailers, others offer rewards like air miles or credits that can be used to purchase other items. Get smart and make your baby spending work for you!
#3
Related to #2, but important in its own right - always shop around and price compare. Just because you know that one specific retailer is usually the cheapest doesn’t mean you can automatically assume that’s the case for everything they stock.
A quick (but specific) search online will quickly give you the price details from different stores and show you any flash sales that may be happening. If you want to shop with a particular retailer but are hesitant because their prices are slightly higher, it may be worth using your online search to ask whether they are willing to price match the item you want. Go on, don’t be shy!
#4
Regularly check-in on selling sites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for those second-hand items you noted down in step #1. There are plenty of good deals to be found and potentially hundreds of dollars to be saved. You may need to make some quick decisions if an item is sought-after and well-priced, so be prepared to move quickly so you don’t miss out on a bargain.
It may also be worthwhile visiting the local op-shops in your area, to see what they have. If it’s one that accepts furniture, you may just find the larger items you’re after there. Change-table, anyone?
Remember, when you’re shopping on online marketplaces, stay scam aware. Read our article on common marketplace scams to help protect yourself and your baby fund.
#5
Another great online option for parents-to-be is to join swap or ‘buy nothing’ groups. These groups can be found on Facebook really easily, and there will likely be at least one running in your suburb. Your neighbour’s junk could actually be your treasure and save you a heap of cash!
Groups that are dedicated to the topic of babies and toddlers are also good to join. Not only are they a useful place to learn about pregnancy, parenting and what to expect when your bundle of joy arrives, they’re also a great place for people to offload clothes and toys that their child has grown out of.
#6
Finally, don’t be too proud. Take anything and everything that’s offered to you!
You will likely notice that your friends, family and work colleagues want to help you as much as possible – especially if you’re having your first child – so take advantage of their generosity. Remember, you can easily donate anything you don’t need to someone else.
Savvy spending and saving during pregnancy can help you and your finances once your baby arrives. You may even be able to add the savings you make into a bank account for your new addition and get an early start on investing in their future!