6 easy ways to build a nest egg for you and baby bird

Babies cost a shocking amount of money. Along the lines of $250,000 to be precise.

Not only do babies require adorable onesies and squeaky toys,

but they also land like an asteroid on our own financial goals and priorities.

When parenthood hits, suddenly the stakes are much higher. We need to make smart financial decisions

not just for ourselves, but for this new tiny creature who’s depending on us. Like a nest egg.

In addition to making

me paranoid about the waft of second-hand smoke headed for my

baby on a walk, my new mom hormones also made me more motivated than

ever to make sure I could always provide for my baby. And at some point, I

wanted to save for college and her future, too.

It can help guard against some of the unexpected challenges that might crop up and ease the transition into parenthood.

Here are 6 easy ways to start off making strong financial choices for your family as you become a new mom.

Flex those money muscles, it’s not all about nest eggs.

Sign up for any available flex-spending programs through your workplace

for child care expenses, health care expenses, and commuting costs.

Sure, clipping a coupon for a crib or baby toy can save you money at the checkout register, but signing up for workplace tax benefits can have an even

bigger impact on your long-term savings.

The great thing about flex spending is that it gives you

tax advantages that can pay off year after year.

Find your recipes for success.

Develop a few easy-to-make, family-friendly meals that everyone enjoys.

You can use cookbooks by other moms like Weelicious for inspiration.

As your

child develops, he will grow up enjoying family meals—and may even learn a thing or two about cooking!

Eating simple meals at home will

save you tons in the long run compared to eating out—and it’s usually healthier, too!

One of my family’s favorite dishes, chicken

tortilla soup, not only saves us money, but inspires the whole family to gather around the table for a few minutes of quality time during our hectic days. Bonus: Leftovers make life so much easier. ?

Optimize your insurance.

Review your current

health insurance plan and make sure you’ve selected the optimal type for your

family.

Having a child is generally considered a life event that allows you to re-examine your current insurance choices and make new ones.

You might find that it makes

sense (and cents!) to select a different family plan than the one you’ve been using for

yourself.

Be a cognizant consumer.

Research, compare prices, and save for any big child-related expenses,

including cars, cribs, and even homes.

Give

yourself plenty of time (and sleep) to make the right choice.

Neutral colors are your frugal friends.

When you are shopping

for new baby items, try to stick with gender-neutral colors, which makes it easier

to re-use for future children. Plus, gender-neutral colors make baby gear twice as easy to sell (or donate) to others when

you no longer need it.

Considering gender-neutral ideas for baby’s nursery? Check out aqua, mint, or teal, with a pop of orange for a refreshingly fun scheme for a boy or girl!

It never hurts to ask.

Ask friends and family for gently used clothes, furniture, and toys.

Although you may choose to buy certain things new for safety purposes, such as a car seat or crib, you can use many other baby items that have been passed down

from friends and family.

Alternatively, check second hand stores for adorable (and inexpensive!) baby clothes, toys, and gear. Heck, babies grow so fast, half the clothes for sale may still have the tags on!

Pro tip: Find out if you have a neighborhood listserv or local Facebook exchange for baby gear. If so, you can share

that you are open to receiving items that others no longer need and you might

significantly cut down on your shopping list.

Baby

might not notice all of your money-saving efforts right now, but it’s only a matter of time before your child will thank you for all you have done…especially if you teach your little protégé a trick or two about saving for her own future family!