Saving money during pregnancy

• Download 6 months’ bank statements and make a detailed spreadsheet of your expenses.
  
  
• Cut all unnecessary spending. It’s shocking how much restaurant bills, takeout’s or even those cappuccinos at work round up to after 6 months.
  
  
• Create your new monthly budget for the next 9 months (or how ever many months of pregnancy you have left).
  
  
• Write up a list of the once-off (and most likely expensive) things you need to start buying – pram, crib, car seat, baby mattress, etc. Look online for different product and best prices and then compare deals.
  
  
• Figure out when you’re going to buy which item and work the estimated cost into that month’s budget.
  
  
• Remember to include debt, future investment returns or other extra incomes to your budget sheet. The point of this exercise is to see the big financial picture, so take your time and really get into detail.

• A short-term savings plan for the few months after your baby is born. This will be used for emergency purchases or for last minute things you didn’t realise you’ll need.
  
  
• A long-term savings plan. Even if you can only start small, it will get you into the mind-set of growing your wealth and saving for long-term expenses like education.
   

When you’re putting money aside, remember that investing will help this money grow. Consider building an investment portfolio instead of keeping your money hidden in a dark and dormant savings account.

• Contact your medical aid and ask them detailed questions about your plan. You must make sure that you’re paying for the right kind of cover. Remember to ask about doctors’ consultations, labour and delivery terms, newborn care and follow up visits.
  
  
• Re-evaluate your car and home insurance premiums to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Research the plan you’re on and compare it to different offerings or even other companies’ deals.
  
  
• Create a grocery-shopping plan. Micromanaging your money really helps you save, plus it will help you create a healthy eating plan too. Remember to make good use of different reward points or loyalty advantages.
  
  
• Save money in the long run by settling your debt soon. This doesn’t mean deprive your income until every cent is gone, just work with your money responsibly.

• Keep them up to date on bigger purchases you’ve already made.
  
  
• Communicate what theme or colour scheme you’re going for in the baby room.
  
  
• Keep track of the clothes you’ve already bought for different ages. Babies grow by the second, there’s no use in having too many outfits for the first few months!
  
  
• Suggest that someone creates a Whatsapp group where guests can talk about different present ideas. All too often people end up with 57 new baby blankets and only 3 bottles!
  
  
• Don’t feel awkward about creating a gift registry. Guests truly appreciate knowing that they’re getting you something you really need.