How much money should you have saved before having a baby?

Asked by: Kassandra Hartmann  |  Last update: April 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)

“While there's no universal figure that fits every family, a practical guideline is to have an emergency fund covering three-to-six months of living expenses, plus an additional $20,000 to $30,000 specifically earmarked for child-related costs,” he said.

How much money should you save before having a baby?

As a guideline, having enough saved to cover at least six months of living expenses and additional funds for initial baby-related costs such as nursery setup and medical expenses is wise. This approach helps ensure you are financially prepared for new parenthood's expected and unexpected costs.

How much money do you need to save for a new baby?

Build up your savings

And, if you can, try to carry on saving after the baby arrives. It's also good to have an emergency fund – ideally 3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses to cover unexpected costs, but anything you can put aside is a bonus. This is even more important when you have a family to take care of.

How much money to prepare for pregnancy?

Typically, I would advise setting aside at least 10% of your nett take home pay for your baby. It's also a good time to do a fitness check on your other savings such as insurance, investments, retirement planning etc.

How much should a single parent have in savings?

How much should a single parent have in savings? It's important for single parents to have an emergency with a minimum of three to six months' worth of living expenses set aside.

Are We Financially Ready to Have a Baby?

26 related questions found

What if I can't afford my pregnancy?

Parenting with Financial Assistance

Thankfully, there are many government organizations that offer financial help for pregnant women. These organizations offer things like medical bill assistance, healthcare, food, housing, clothing, education, and guidance in finding a stable job.

How much does it realistically cost to have a baby?

Here are some key figures as of 2021: Nationwide, parents will spend an average of $237,482 raising a child from birth to age 18. Of course, this figure will vary depending on your location, with costs in Hawaii being the highest ($314,529) and South Carolina the lowest ($169,327).

How do I prepare financially before getting pregnant?

6 things to do with your money before having a baby
  1. 6 min read | June 14, 2023. ...
  2. Start (or build upon) an emergency fund for your family. ...
  3. Create a budget with a baby in mind. ...
  4. Keep saving for yourself. ...
  5. Adjust your benefits as your family grows. ...
  6. Consider saving for your child's education.

What is a good budget for a baby?

Takeaways: Budgeting for a Baby's First Year

First-year baby costs range from around $16,905 to $28,166. Avoid overspending by reviewing all possible expenses for your baby's first year, and prioritizing needs versus wants. Top baby budget expenses include diapers, clothes, food, child care and health insurance.

How much do I need to earn to have a baby?

On average, UK adults anticipate needing to earn £37,159 before having their first child, according to new research by financial advice and wealth management group Evelyn Partners, formerly known as Tilney Smith & Williamson. This compares with the UK's annual average salary of £31,772.

How much should I have saved for maternity leave?

half of your necessary monthly expenses, cut them out of your lifestyle for the rest of your pregnancy and set the money you would have spent aside (maybe in your newly created bank account). This money should be enough to get you through three months of leave.

Is it hard to afford a baby?

There's no question that it's expensive to have kids. A recent figure from LendingTree puts the average cost of raising one (1) child in the U.S. at around $240,000, from birth to their 18th birthday. In Canada, the average is a little higher, with estimates at around $350,000 CAD for kids up to 17 years old.

How much should the average family save a month?

How much should you save each month? For many people, the 50/30/20 rule is a great way to split up monthly income. This budgeting rule states that you should allocate 50 percent of your monthly income for essentials (such as housing, groceries and gas), 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for savings.

How much does having a baby cost with insurance?

Having a baby is expensive — sometimes alarmingly so. Costs related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care average nearly $19,000 for individuals covered by large group insurance plans, according to a July 2022 study by Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF, a health policy nonprofit.

How much should I have saved to have a baby?

“While there's no universal figure that fits every family, a practical guideline is to have an emergency fund covering three-to-six months of living expenses, plus an additional $20,000 to $30,000 specifically earmarked for child-related costs,” he said.

What is the cheapest way to give birth?

7 Since home births don't involve facility costs or medication, they are generally cheaper than hospital births. However, many insurance plans don't cover home births, meaning families may have to pay healthcare providers out of pocket.

How expensive are kids per month?

How much does raising a child cost yearly? The $288,094 figure can seem incredibly intimidating — but remember, that cost is spread out over 18 years. Taking a rough average, that's around $16,005 per year — or approximately $1,334 per month.

What to do if you are pregnant and have no money?

Here are the most well-known programs for women who are pregnant and need help with money.
  1. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ...
  2. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ...
  3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
  4. Medicaid.

What money is a pregnant woman entitled to?

Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance. Pregnant working women and those recently employed can usually get Statutory Maternity Pay ( SMP ) from their employer or Maternity Allowance ( MA ) through Jobcentre Plus.

How to afford a baby on your own?

5 Tips on Affording the Cost of Children
  1. Build up your emergency fund. It's always important to have a rainy-day fund. ...
  2. Practice living on a budget. ...
  3. Read the fine print on your health insurance. ...
  4. Research the cost of childcare. ...
  5. Get a head start on college savings.

How do single moms survive financially?

Setting a budget that keeps expenses lower than your income—and sticking to it—is a key step to financial security. Dedicate a part of your budget to debt payment, and pay whatever you can afford each month to bring down your balances. Prioritize high-interest debt.

Is 20k in savings good at 25?

But saving might still be a challenge if you're earning an entry-level salary or you have significant student loan debt. By age 25, you should have saved about $20,000.

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.