Financial setbacks can dampen the joy of family life. When you’re worried about bills you need to pay and necessities you need to purchase, it’s difficult to live in the moment and appreciate your blessings.
This is why you must set your finances in order even before you try to get pregnant. The roller coaster of emotions you’ll endure as partners won’t make it the most conducive time to plan and deal with numbers. By setting your foot down early on some of the most important money matters you’ll face, you’re securing a more peaceful and happier future for your family.
Settle for Deals Below Your Means
Most couples want to purchase their dream house before having their first child. This is a reasonable goal because the environment you raise your child in is crucial to their health and happiness. If you’ve been saving up for it, then let nothing hold you back. Just make sure that when you do begin the process of acquiring your dream house, it won’t get in the way of your present and future financial obligations.
The best way to go about this is to settle for deals below your means. Consider getting a similar but cheaper option around Utah. Work with a mortgage broker who can get you deals that are far less costly than what you originally saved up for. Doing this gives you a financial buffer for the costs you’ll incur during and after pregnancy.
The same principle applies to every other big purchase that you need to make right now. By going for less, even in your daily life, you can save a considerable sum that’ll lighten the load of delivering and raising a child.
Pay off Most Debts Now
You might still be paying off old debts. Student loans and car loans are big ones that are shaving off a huge chunk from your earnings. Whatever loans you still have to need to be paid off before you try to get pregnant. If that’s not possible, aim for at least seventy to eighty percent repayment at the least.
You’ll undoubtedly be incurring new bills, especially from the hospital, in the course of carrying and delivering your child. After all, unexpected expenses can always happen. It can be a sudden visit to the clinic or a car repair that needs fixing ASAP. With fewer debts on the table, you’re able to save the money you would’ve used to pay the interest and set it aside for more significant things.
Itemize Costs for the Next 3 Years
Yes, things won’t always go according to plan, but life with one will always be far better. A financial plan, of all things, will give you a sense of direction when maneuvering your way through the sea of expenses you’ll be in once you become parents.
Itemizing expected costs will show you where you can cut back. One category worth noting is your anticipated purchases for your baby. Getting a new crib, walker, and wardrobe will easily cause your expenses to skyrocket. Considering how fast babies grow in the months after their birth should make you think twice about buying. Many parents in the same boat as you will attest to the money-saving appeal of hand-me-downs. Outsource these clothes from other parents because it’s likely they have them stored neatly somewhere in the attic.
As you go through your current and future expenses, think of ways you can save money. It’s tedious work, but one that is surely worth the time and effort to accomplish.
Be Money-smart Every Day
When you’ve done all these, your money-saving journey will always boil down to how you choose to spend daily. It’s not a one-time event that will spare you from future financial heartaches. As new parents, you’ll need to learn better spending habits conducive to the family life you want to achieve.