Family Nest

What do you really need and how much does it cost?"

Everybody is full of advice when you ask “what do you think I should buy for the arrival of the baby”. Friends with children will all give you conflicting advice on which essentials are actually …essentials.

Different people will look at you with horror when you mention that you are going to buy a forward facing group 1 car seat, Harry Enfield springs to mind “you don’t wanna do it like that, what you want is….”

On the web you can find lots of “baby essentials” lists, providing guidance on what’s required. The trouble is not many go as far as putting a rough budget figure next to each item. 

So, after numerous and quite tense “advisory” conversations, it was time to make a list and see roughly how the costs stacked up.

The “essentials” list was as follows, with a typical budget for each item:

Now of course there are ways to save the pennies on the above. Some items can be purchased second-hand, cash back sites can ease the pain a little, if buying online. Even considering help and presents from relatives, you are probably looking at an outlay of around £800.

This list made me realise that the various articles on the web offering baby budgeting advice are quite right. Unless you have £800 saved or kicking about under a mattress the essential purchases alone can force a much-needed review of your finances.

Now time for some bargain hunting…