How to afford a baby in today's economic climate With the rising cost of childcare, utilities and essentials many working parents are delaying having children until they can afford it. But what if they never can? Each year we are told that the cost of raising a child has risen and the figures quoted are in the thousands or even hundreds of thousands depending on the cut off age. But having a baby doesn't have to cost a fortune.Here are my top tips on how to afford a baby 1 Buy secondhand for your baby wherever possible. Borrow from family and friends and buy everything else at a themed baby and children’s market like mum2mum market. Google ‘nearly new sale’ to find a nearly new sale near you. Most baby clothes and equipment are used for a very short time and have very little wear and are perfect secondhand buys. The only things you need to buy new are a mattress and car seat and there are serious savings to be made. At a mum2mum market you will pay around 30% of the new price for large items like cots and pushchairs, and secondhand clothes, toys and books for around £1.You can pick up everything you need, from bedding and towels to a secondhand designer pram, large toys and ride-ons. Arrive early and queue to get the best bargains! Savings: The sky’s the limit…. The more you buy the more you save! 2 Breastfeed. It’s free! If you don’t get the hang of it straight away there are free breastfeeding clinics and support groups who will help you get it right. Ask your midwife or health visitor for details. Savings: £500 on formula, bottles etc 3 Use real nappies. Disposables cost a fortune as well as the earth. You can disposable nappies in the first two and a half years. 21st century real nappies are a world away from the terry towelling squares of the seventies and are no more gross than changing a disposable nappy …. In fact they smell much less (it’s the chemicals that make the disposibles smell). Your local council should have discounted nappy started packs and demonstration sessions or ‘nappucinos’ to get you started. Savings: Over £1000 on the first child and more if you use the nappies on subsequent children 4 Look at flexible work options which might allow you to work from home, work around your children and minimise the amount of childcare you need to pay for. Could you work flexible hours to fit around your partners work or work evenings and weekends? Could running your own business be a better option? A mum2mum market franchise allows mums to do just this- our flexible, family friendly franchises are available across the UK. www.franchisebusinessformums.co.uk Savings: A thousand pounds a month minimum for full time nursery in London 5 Sell your outgrown stuff and recoup some of the cost. If you buy quality goods and take good care of them you can sell them on at a mum2mum market nearly new sale when you are finished with them. You keep 100% of the takings on the day and will recoup some of the outlay spent. Visit www.mum2mummarket.co.uk for more information and stall booking. Mum2mummarket organise baby and children's nearly new sales where mums sell to mums. Parents can sell and save at our award winning pop-up indoor markets. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Comments are closed.
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