There are costs involved with raising a child. Whether you have been planning to have one for years now, or were caught by surprise, it’s always wise to put money away in preparation for the arrival of your baby. As women, we are blessed to have some nine months to prepare. It’s very important to use that time wisely to avoid falling into the trap of singing the “babies are expensive” song. Yes, the costs involved with raising a child can be heavy but with the right mindset, you will be able to do whatever is necessary to keep your head above water. Also, it’s very important to not allow the financial strain that comes with caring for you little one distract you from realizing the blessing that she is in your life. Children bring so much joy, and when you don’t spend all your time worrying about the finances, you will get to appreciate the kind of peace and healing they bring to your life.
Falling pregnant led to a major lifestyle change. A lifestyle which I now realise was costing me a lot of money. I’m not a big fan of clothes and bags but I do splurge on food, gadgets and experiences. I used to travel a lot and my excuse was always that the town I live in is slow and boring. I would drive to Pretoria twice a month just to go to the spa, watch a movie at the cinema, go clubbing or even just to buy Uncle Faouzi wings (don’t judge me, we all have weaknesses). The drive from here to Hatfield is just over 300 km
which was my excuse for booking into an Airbnb. Then there was the wine – My kitchen had to have a bottle of wine at all times. Oh man, I used to waste a lot of money on fast-food. I abused the fact that I have a fast metabolism to just dump a lot of greasy foods into my body. As long as it tasted good I’d buy it and eat it. To add insult to injury, I had gym membership which I paid for diligently (even when I skipped a month without going to the gym).
When you eat for two, all the trash you’ve been eating becomes a thing of the past. You just don’t buy that Box Master Meal when you know you’ve got food you can cook at home. As painful as it was, I had to say goodbye to the alcohol. I also have a hookah which I had to say goodbye to as well (I’m still surprised by how expensive hubbly flavour and coal can be). I traded gym for walks and jogs around the complex, so that’s extra money back into my pocket. I stopped going to Pretoria and started appreciating Netflix more. I
miss the spa but I realize now that I don’t have to go there every month. Actually, I must make it a point to only date men who are willing to learn how to give a massage like a professional with me so we can save money (if your are a masseuse and are reading this, I’d like to apologize in advance – I still love you though). I don’t need to go further, it’s quite evident that the lifestyle change has helped me to save just enough to get essentials for my bundle of joy.
I understand that our finances don’t look the same, but I implore you to really scrutinize your lifestyle and expenditure. You’ll realize that there are things you can do without. If you don’t already have a rainy day fund, start one now – even if you’re five months pregnant. Starting now is so much better than not starting at all. I opened a separate account to deposit what I would normally use to pay for my trips, alcohol, gym and fast-food into that account. That is my children’s account which I have to try by all means to not fiddle with. I need to emphasize that doing all this does not take away your baby daddy’s financial responsibility towards his child(ren). He still needs to contribute his portion as long as he is financially able. Friends and family will also assist where they can but it’s very important to establish some level of financial independence. You don’t lose anything from doing so. It will give you that much needed peace of mind and will free up some of your attention to dedicate towards enjoying every moment with your child.
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