How to Pregnancy Prep on a Budget

This article is written by Emily Graham, creator of Mighty Moms. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family. I like that she used a variety of creative ideas to help women reduce costs while pregnant.

​Preparing to welcome a new baby to the family is always an exciting time, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Research shows that financial issues are among the stressors that cause new parents anxiety. There are baby clothes, furniture, insurance adjustments, and even a future college education to plan for. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save as you get ready to welcome your littlest family member. 

Shop for Affordable Full-Coverage Auto Insurance

You may find that there are so many baby-related items to shop for that thinking about auto insurance isn’t exactly at the forefront of your thoughts. However, saving money on your policy is one of the best things you can do financially, and you don’t have to settle for minimum coverage to do so. In fact, having full-coverage insurance is not only necessary for protecting your family in case of an accident, it’s quite possible on a budget.
You can get a reduced rate on auto insurance if you’re a safe driver or have a high credit rating. There are also discounts on multi-vehicle policies and bundled insurance policies, as well as lower premiums for drivers who have low mileage on their vehicles each year. Compare the rates of various full-coverage policies to help you find the best one for your family and budget.

Look for Secondhand Baby Gear

Kids’ clothing, furniture, books, and toys don’t have to be new to be in good condition. Since children grow quickly, you can often find these items barely used, ask your friends, family members and coworkers with older kids if they have any hand-me-downs they are willing to part with. You can also check out local yard sales and thrift stores for gear.
Beware that not everything is suitable for a secondhand use. For instance, you should steer clear of secondhand crib mattresses, which can host bacteria. Check out this breakdown of what’s okay to buy new versus used from the experts at WhatToExpect.com. No-gos also include pacifiers and car seats.

Take Advantage of Budget Maternity Clothing

There’s no need to let your fashion game fail while you’re pregnant, but you also don’t have to spend loads of money on maternity clothing that you wear for less than nine months. Try affordable shops like Old Navy; their online store delivers straight to your door, and their cute maternity line includes everything from work-appropriate blouses to flowing summer dresses.
 
Another option for maternity clothing is a subscription service. Depending on the offer, you can choose a set number of pieces to try each month. The Bump’s roundup of services, offers options ranging from Rent The Runway for fancy attire and Mine for Nine, for renting or buying maternity ware.

Make the Most of Coupons and Deals

Pregnancy preparation is a good time to start looking for coupons. Many baby brands offer deals on products like diapers and baby foods, both items that you will need a lot of. Plum Organics regularly posts deals on their social media pages, for instance. You can go ahead and stock up before baby arrives to spare yourself the trouble of shopping later.
Another option is to check out deal sites like Coupons.com. You can set up email alerts to have deals delivered directly to your inbox, sparing you the trouble of searching online. They even allow you to specify categories of interest, including “baby” and “toddler.”

Prepare an All-Purpose Diaper Bag

As a new parent, your diaper bag will be a constant companion for the first year or so of your baby’s life. Find an affordable one with a style you love. Take a peek at Who What Wear’s suggestions, which include trendy options like a rose-colored backpack and a simple black shoulder bag you can even take from day to night.
 
Once you have your bag selected, get ready by stocking it in advance with essential items. This not only includes baby products like diapers and wipes but also your important personal items including wallet and keys.
 
By taking advantage of these budget-friendly parenting preparation tips before the birth, you will save money. This way, you won’t have to scramble for any must-have items when you urgently need them and need to spend more to get the item right away. Plan now to save yourself money and stress in the future.

About Emily

Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms and a mom herself to daughters Mia (7) and Ella (4). She knows from experience that being a mom is a 24/7 job that is tough and demanding, but also extremely rewarding. Because of this, she wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.

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