Not Ready to have kids because…they are too expensive?!

Being the first of our friends to have kids we hear this phrase a lot: “Oh we are not ready to have kids because they are so expensive.” I mean really, I cannot even tell you how many times I have heard that excuse. In reality, they all make more money than us and I think they are just scared of having kids!

So I tell them over and over that children are not expensive and if you just shop smart you really don’t add that much to your budget. I was very fortunate, and I know not everyone is, but I had 2 baby showers and I received everything I needed for the first 2 years of my son’s life. Then, I was lucky and had another boy so I could pass everything down to my second child.

So what are some basic costs and expenses of having a child?

• Crib with Mattress and bedding – Don’t be too cheap with this one, since there are so many recalls. You want to make sure you are safe. Mattresses and Bedding can be second hand if needed, but you can purchase them relatively inexpensive at Target, Wal-Mart, or other discount stores.

• Car Seat and Stroller– I bought a travel systems/infant car seat combo for about $200. I loved that I could just snap the infant car seat into my car and into the stroller. Now yes, I did have to purchase a new, bigger, car seat when my son was about 1, but the stroller is still awesome and I felt the infant carrier was safer. This is up to you, but for me it was easier to buy the combo. Check out clearance sections or if you signed up for the Babies “R” Us newsletter (not sure how I got on their mailing list so just go to your local store and they should be able to help you!) then they mail out some good discount coupons every now and then for car seats and strollers.

• Clothes – I was fortunate enough to get enough clothes at my baby showers to last me until my son was 2 , but if this is not the case then check out clearance sections or buy off season for next year, FreeCycle, or second hand. I actually have awesome luck at Target and Old Navy on the clearance racks.

• Diapers – Again sign up for all the big companies (Huggies and Pampers) for coupons and check out your Sunday paper as there is usually some in there. For diapers I use generic as my son’s do not have sensitive skin and have never had a problem. I love Target brand and Babies “R” Us brand. Although, we do use Luvs at night, as my son’s both had overnight leakage problems, but during the day the generic diapers did just fine!

• Highchair – You don’t need a super fancy one and you want to look for one that is easily washable! You can even buy a booster seat that is for a newborn and then converts to a regular booster seat if you are tight on space in your kitchen!

• Formula – If you are able to breastfeed, this is going to really add up in the savings department. If not, sign up for every company out there so they send you coupons (Gerber, Enfamil, Similac). I actually use Target brand formula and my son’s have both thrived on it. You can also call the 800 number on the Target formula canister once a month and request a $3 off coupon, so that makes it under $10!

• Food – You can choose to make your own baby food, which I am totally clueless on and I can usually get it so cheap with coupons when the jars or cereal is on sale. Sign up for Gerber and Beechnut and they send out good coupons via mail and email. Sunday papers also have food coupons and I actually buy coupons on Ebay! It is a little easier once your child is on table food because then you can just feed him/her whatever you are eating and you don’t have to worry about running out of baby food!

• Baby Swing, Bouncer, Play Mat, Playpen – You probably don’t need all of these items but at least one is always nice. (I have them all and I really don’t use them all. I could get by just fine with just one, actually probably two!)

• Baby Monitor – We actually didn’t need this as we lived in a ranch style house but we had it. I was petrified I would sleep through my baby crying, little did I know that once you have kids you automatically have “mom sense” and I have become a light sleeper to any noises my children make! However, this may be helpful if you have a large house or if you spend time outside. You may need to secure your peace of mind.

• Excersaucer – Again, this is a luxury but you can find them at second hand stores. I paid $100 for mine and it is actually 3 stages of toys. First, it has a play mat. Second, it is a regular excersaucer. Third, it comes of f the base and folds open to a play table where a child can walk around it. This was nice because once a child is really mobile and doesn’t want to be stuck in it anymore, then you can open it up so they still get use out of it. The only con is that this is a big toy and gets even bigger when opened up, although, it has been really nice to plop my sons in and know that they can’t hurt themselves!

• Toys – Again, check clearance sections and by off-season. Be extra careful about second hand toys because of lead poisoning. Also, your child really doesn’t need too many toys as they can only really play with one at a time! I can definitely vouch for this one as we have 4 GIANT overflowing toy boxes that my son has probably never seen the bottom of! For our 2nd child, we now just put money in his savings account instead of buying more toys!

Now with everything I mentioned above please take extra caution that if it is old or second hand and could have lead then give it a second thought. You can also purchase home lead testing kits if you are worried.

I think I covered all the basics and really there are so many sales, coupons, and deals out there for new moms and kids that before you buy anything look for a coupon. Also, if your child doesn’t need expensive formula or diapers, save a few dollars and buy generics or cut back on toys and clothes. I know it is hard, especially with your first child, to skimp and not buy the best of everything but I think back to the money I wasted in the beginning and I cry! I used Similac ($25/can), Huggies ($25/ box), I had a wet wiper warmer ($20) and so much more! I cut back to $11 for formula, $13 for a box of diapers and sold my wet wipe warmer on Ebay for $10! (Oh and when you are done, if you are not saving it or passing it down to a friend or family member, by all means try your luck selling it on Ebay, Craigslist, or through your newspapers classifieds.

One more thing, if you are planning on having more kids then by all means splurge a little bit because you will definitely get your use out of the items! But take it from me who has clothes with tags on it and about 7 rubbermaids of clothes for my two boys already and toys that were barely or never played with. Cut back where you can and remember that the more money you save when they are young the more you can save and/or spend on them when they are older. They will thank you for it later!

So, whenever I hear “But kids are so expensive” I just laugh to myself and secretly gloat at how much money I save! I know kids do get expensive as they get older, but any expense I can control and save , I will try, especially when they are young and don’t really know the difference between generics and non-brand name clothes and toys!