Financial Planning for a Baby: Where to Start?
👶 Welcoming a baby is exciting — but it also comes with big financial responsibilities. Planning early makes the journey smoother. Here’s where to begin:
1. Review Your Current Budget
• Track monthly income and expenses.
• Identify areas to cut back (subscriptions, eating out, etc.).
• Create room for new baby-related costs.
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2. Build an Emergency Fund
• Aim for 3–6 months of expenses saved.
• Babies can bring unexpected costs like medical bills.
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3. Estimate Baby Expenses
• One-time costs: stroller, crib, car seat, hospital delivery charges.
• Recurring costs: diapers, formula, healthcare, childcare.
• Start a separate “baby fund” account to stay organized.
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4. Review Health Insurance
• Check if your policy covers maternity and newborn care.
• Understand out-of-pocket delivery costs.
• Plan to add your baby to your family health plan.
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5. Plan for Parental Leave
• Know your maternity/paternity benefits.
• Account for possible unpaid leave.
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6. Update Long-Term Goals
• Reassess life insurance and wills.
• Start a child education fund (mutual funds, SIPs, etc.).
• Balance retirement savings alongside baby planning.
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7. Track & Adjust
• Review your budget every few months.
• Increase savings as income grows.
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💡 Tip: Start small but be consistent — financial planning for your baby isn’t about perfection, it’s about preparation.