A positive pregnancy test can cause a ton of different emotions, from excitement and wonder that you’ll soon hold a precious baby in your arms to shock, awe, and worry that you won’t be okay financially during your pregnancy or in the weeks after. Maybe you’re worried about your auto loan to making the monthly payment on your mortgage. Or, maybe you’re concerned about getting maternity clothes and things like bras for expectant mamas and nursing bras when the baby comes home. Either way, being pregnant can be super stressful.
You really don’t want to have to worry yourself sick about your finances while you’re pregnant, so it’s best to make plans early on to make sure you’re financially secure and okay during your pregnancy. In this article, you’ll find a few tips to help you handle your home expenses while you’re pregnant, including ways to afford the bras you need, refinancing your auto loan, and other expenses expectant moms have to deal with also.
See about refinancing and consolidating bills.
If possible, early on in your pregnancy, try to pay off as many bills as possible, such as credit card bills or personal loans that are outstanding. What you can’t pay off, you may be able to consolidate and end up with one monthly payment that is cheaper and has a lower interest rate. Refinancing is also an option if you have good credit. For example, if you look into car loan refinance options, you may find that a new auto loan from a reputable lender will lower your monthly payment significantly, give you a better interest rate, and stop you from worrying before you’re even a mom and have a baby to worry about. Your credit score can also determine how easy it’ll be to refinance your auto loan or if it’ll be best to apply for a new loan instead, leaving you to be able to concentrate at this point on taking care of yourself and your body, by purchasing maternity clothes and a bra to help with growing breasts and your expanding body.
Create a clear, specific list of everything you need.
When you find out you’re pregnant, sit down and create a clear, specific list of everything you’re going to need. You’ll need baby things such as a crib, diapers, clothes, bottles, bassinet, crib, a car seat, and any other number of baby items. However, don’t forget that you’ll also need a breastfeeding pump bra, a few bras to wear when you leave the house, and a pump, such as a Medela or a Spectra, and breast shields as well. Don’t forget that you’re going to need a regular bra along with a breast pump, actually quite a few bras and breast shields to be realistic. Choose your bras carefully, as they need to support you well after the baby is born.
Create a budget early.
You don’t want to wait until you have to be out of work on maternity leave to create a budget, or you’re going to find yourself struggling way before the baby is born. The sooner you create a budget, the more time you’ll have to save money for the baby and for the bras and other accessories you need. Between refinancing your auto loan, creating a specific list, and saving for the bras and pumps you need, you’ll be on the right track to being in pretty good shape financially when you go out on maternity leave.
Pick up a side gig.
There’s no denying that you’re going to have to have things for the baby and the bras for yourself. You have to pay the monthly payment on your auto loan and the monthly payment on your house, so if you can, try to pick up a side gig to help you save money and for something to do when you’re on maternity leave. From answering online surveys to applying for freelance writing jobs, there are many gigs that you can pick up online that will help you sock away money and survive while waiting on the birth of your baby and ordering those bras online at the same time.
These are just a few tips for helping you meet household expenses when you’re pregnant. You don’t want to be stressed and worried your entire pregnancy, so the best thing to do is to have a plan.
