Half Price Pregnancy - How to Save the Most Money While Pregnant

Pregnancy can be one of the happiest and most expensive times of your life. It's an event that most women at one point or another experience. Some seek it out while others find themselves completely surprised by it. Whether by surprise or on purpose you are likely to spend quite a bit of money during this time just by taking care of yourself and getting ready to bring home your bundle of joy. But there are a few things you can do to avoid the spending frenzy.

First and most important, write out a budget outlining the money you will have to set aside to pay for everything pregnancy related. Consider if you will be able to work up until your due date if you are not a stay at home mom. Some women have to take maternity leave early while others have to abstain from working all together. If you fall into one of those groups, factor that into your budget. If you do not already have a savings account, it's a good idea to try and set aside a fraction of each pay check you or your spouse earns. Savings will help when you may not be able to afford all the things that come up with pregnancy.

If you are not yet pregnant, take a good long look at your insurance options and base the conception on that. Money you may have to spend to get insurance is probably a fraction of what the pregnancy will cost you without it. If you do have insurance, talk to your provider and make sure you know the ins and outs of your policy. If you are already pregnant, and do not have insurance, see if you qualify for Medicaid. Paying completely out of pocket for medical care during pregnancy will probably cost you thousands of dollars.

A good way to supplement your food budget during pregnancy and with small children is to see if you qualify for WIC. Those who qualify get certificates for certain foods you can get from your local supermarket. Other ways to save money on food during pregnancy is to plan your meals and avoid fast food. Planning your meals lets you utilize what you have on hand and gives you a clear idea of exactly what you need when you go shopping. Try sticking to your list and you will have plenty of food for much less money. Fast food is very unhealthy, whether or not you are pregnant. So it's best to make it a rare indulgence.

One of the biggest budget busters during pregnancy is maternity clothes. When a woman gains 25 to 35 lbs it's pretty much a given she will have to have a new wardrobe. Of course we would all love to go out and by this new wardrobe at all the cute little maternity stores in the mall, but that is not always affordable. If you do not have maternity clothes from previous pregnancies talk to relatives or friends and see if they may be interested in letting you purchase some of their old maternity clothes. Check out yard sales and thrift shops too. If you have not worn second hand clothes before you may be surprised at the great finds you may stumble upon. You could also check online at auction sites or online sales at maternity stores. If you do have to go to one of those cute little stores in the mall try and stick to the sales rack. Sometimes you will find great buys from last season for half the price.

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and dollars. It's vital to adequately plan during this time to be able to ride out the ups and the downs. Being wise when choosing insurance options or financing your pregnancy will save you thousands. What you choose to eat and what clothes you buy can save you a good amount of money too. Make smart decisions with your money so you can focus your energy on growing a healthy, happy baby.