Tips on saving and budgeting for a stay at home mom?

I stayed home for a year with our daughter. Here's a list of things I did:

-I used cloth diapers (Kushies All in One)

-Cooked all meals-no eating out

-Stuck to a grocery budget

-Had a friend trim my hair

-Made my own baby food, it's healthier anyway

-I did not spend money on anything except what we absolutely needed.

-I called our phone company, car insurance, electic company (got on the budget plan) and various others to cancel or see if I could save money

-Buy clothes at thrift shops or use hand me downs

-If you can try living on 1 budget right now to get used to it and put your paycheck into a savings account.

The one thing I did do was get a very part time job, about 5-10 hours a week. Not only was it great for me to get out of the house, it was wonderful to have a little extra income.

It can be done! You will never regret the time you are able to spend with your child. They grow up so fast! I can't believe my daughter is already 16 months old.

If you are working while you are pregnant, keep an eye out for sales on baby items. Buy pampers now but be sure that you don't buy toomany smaller items because the babe will grow fast and you will just have wasted money. Try about 3-4 packs of newborn pampers and then get a couple of the bigger sizes. For sure stock up on size 5's because those are the size your child will be in for the longest time. Grab outfits from yard sales or wherever because again your child will grow outof them way too fast!

Take all your bills into account and prioritize!

You will need the phone in case of emergencies with your child but do you really need the call display, call waiting and other features? Cut those expenses out and save.

Your personal budget is out the window. Forget your hair and nails, missy. You can't afford it anymore! That beautiful hair and manicured nails are probablly what got you pregnant to begin with. Sorry, making a point.

Take more time shopping for the neccessities. You need to make healthy choices so the pop and snack foods should be withdrawn from your shopping list.

Do you really need the satellite dish, do you have to drive your car and waste money on gas when you can walk the block to the supermarket?

Evaluate your lifestyle and you have to make sacrifices.

Once the baby is born try taking advantage of being at home. Watch some of the neighbors children while other parents work and they can pay you. You will receive child tax so that is some money to count on.

Good luck!

Well i can give you some tips on this as I'm in this same situation. First of all, virtually all entertainment is out. We cook all meals at home and we shop at a discount food store. We rent movies if we want to watch a movie instead of going to the movies. I just have basic things like basic cable,& basic phone services. we don't really go out much but if I have an event or something to attend ( which is rare) then I will go and buy something to wear but basically I just do jeans and stuff for now. This is a big change for me since I've always worked and always had a nice dressy wardrobe. Honestly, I wouldn't even have anywhere to wear these things now. If I want to get my hair done, I really have to plan for it. My biggest luxury right now is that I have my internet service. But I'd probalby go crazy without it! You do give up alot of these types of things, but I love staying home with my son. I'll probably go back to work in another year to year and a half. To me its worth it to give up some things, because I am well rewarded. It's kinda boring sometimes, especially where I live as it's very cold in the winter here so we have to stay in.We try and find things to do.

one of the best options is one the easiest. Plant a vege garden. You will have the time now doing this will take a good chunk off the food budget and you will eat healthier as well. Don't buy baby food. Babies can eat almost anything as long as its mushed up fine enough. Breast feed! Better for baby and better for your budget. Don't constantly buy brand new baby clothes believe me they grow out of them too fast you can get good clothes at a far more reasonable price secondhand. Don't let pride interfere. With food pulses,pasta and rice are good. A little goes a long way and they are nutritious for breast milk. You don't need all the latest gadgets for baby. A baby doesn't really care. Stick to the essentials, don't worry about things like changing tables etc they are not vital. Make a weekly budget and stick to it but allow for the occasional spurge and pampering its good for mum.

My favourite is a long hot bath late at night when dad can take our girl. Add scented candles, a cup of tea(wine if you like it) and bath salts and you feel like a million dollars.

DragonAotearoa

Miri Furlong

Graphic Artist

design@ethnic-aotearoa.co.nz

www.ethnic-aotearoa.co.nz

Make sure all of your monthly payments are paid on time. These are your house payment and everything down to your charge accounts. Hold onto other money as much as you can. Try putting it into writing so you always know where you stood a year ago, 6 months ago and last month just by looking at all of the months of the year you kept track of your budget. KFLR in Phoenix, AZ is a radio station that has a program about finances and budgeting that you might listen to. It is a Christian station. I have heard they have stations all over the U.S. Maybe you can find it where you live.

Buy the diapers now while you are pregnant and working. Buy diapers, wipes, baby wash etc (just tape the receipt to the bag of diapers or keep a folder of receipts in case you need to change brands in case your baby reacts to a certain kind). By having a closet full of all these things...it really helps the budget. I had at least 5 months supply stocked up all 3 times and boy was that nice! Diapers are such a big expense.

Also really cut back to what you need. We went without cable and without real cell phones (just prepay ones)...other cut out home phone just to use cell phones etc...

Best wishes!!!

If you are concerned about your finances, have you considered working part-time?? Just giving you another option.

I actually have a full-time job from 8:30-3:00. I am able to bring in a 2nd income for my family. But by getting off @ 3:00, I am able to cook, clean & interact w/ my baby.

But anyway.......

1) Try not to eat out too much-- cook

2) Focus on buying your NEEDS-- of course, you have to buy some of your wants.

3) Write down your monthly expenses-- it's so much better when you have a plan for your money.

Best wishes & congrats:)

It's easy. Live below your means. Carefullly look at your budget and slash it by one half.

dont go out to eat

turn down the heat, put on a sweater

open the windows and turn off the light

sell some old stuff you dont need on ebay or amazon