I think we can all agree that having a child is a blessing. As many people would call it, our children are referred to as our “bundles of joy” because they always put a smile on our faces.
But even though that is the case, raising children can be more challenging, especially if you are still a first-time parent.
According to the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average cost of raising a child in this day and age would be more or less $240,000. That number doesn’t even include their college education!
And, with the rising costs of today’s commodities, it can be pretty daunting and scary at the same time.
Despite the scare of the total costs, there are certain things you can do to get by. In this article, I will go over some tips on how you can save money while you’re raising your child.
- Budgeting is Key
As you’ve read earlier, the cost of raising a child up to college is pretty high. This is where budgeting is key to your survival.
You have to put in the essential things on your list first. This includes your bills, loans, and more importantly, the food.
After that is factored in, you can then add your child’s necessities such as clothing, cribs, and other accessories (and yes, this includes toys).
The reason why budgeting is so important if you want to save money is because it allows you to pinpoint exactly what you need to spend cash on.
This is also to avoid unnecessary expenses and it also helps you know how much you will save by the end of the month.
- Do Not Buy Brand New Stuff Often
If you’re so accustomed to buying brand new stuff often, then it is probably time to change that. You see, baby clothes and items can pretty much burn a hole in your pocket, especially if you’re not careful when it comes to the price.
The thing here is to ask your friends and family if there are baby clothes that they can either give you or sell to you for a bargain price.
Babies can grow at a much faster rate than you’ve expected and new clothes can, well, be obsolete in just a matter of a few weeks or months.
That is why buying used baby clothes can save you a lot of cash. If your friends and family do not have used baby clothing, you can also look at some sites online.
- Search for a Good Education
Good education need not be expensive. There are public schools that offer great education if you just know where to look.
If you are adamant about taking your child to a private school, there are still some things that you can do to cover the costs.
You can either apply your child to a scholarship program or you can even get an insurance for it.
But, if both of the above options are not enticing to you, then perhaps you can get some money through cash advance loans.
- Start Saving Now
When you are raising a child, it is always best to start saving money now. Ideally, you should save 20-30% of your total income per month so that you can pretty much have money whenever you need it.
Also, apply for some insurance so that whenever your child needs medical help, for example, you can slash the total costs of it.
- Get a Part-Time Job
The prices of basic goods nowadays are ever-increasing and although both you and your spouse are having day jobs, it might not be enough to cover for everything, especially when it comes to your child’s education.
Getting a part-time job is a great solution. You can work from home or you can even try freelancing if that is your thing.
- Avoid Daycare
If you want to save some huge dough, I advise that you do not avail of daycare services. I know that most parents these days are busy, but avoiding daycare services can really help you save a lot of money.
Maybe you can talk it with your spouse and compromise a little bit. I am not saying that you avoid it entirely; what I am saying is if it can be avoided, do it.
Conclusion
Raising children in this day and age can be quite difficult if you do not know the ins and the outs. Fortunately, I have outlined some things you can do to get by and save money for your child’s future.
