At 30, I knew I wanted to have a baby in the near future. But as I started researching the costs—medical bills, maternity leave, baby gear — I realized that I wasn’t financially ready yet. Instead of stressing, I decided to take control and start preparing now.

Here’s how I began saving for my future pregnancy while still enjoying life. The first step was understanding where my money was going. I downloaded Aisance: Money Tracker and started recording every purchase. Within a month, I saw patterns I had never noticed—unnecessary online shopping, expensive restaurant bills, and forgotten subscriptions. Once I identified these, I cut back and redirected that money toward my baby fund. Then it's time for the next steps!

Researching the Costs of Pregnancy
I had no idea how much pregnancy and childbirth could cost. I made a list of key expenses, including:

• Prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and lab tests
• Hospital delivery costs
• Maternity leave (lost income)
• Baby essentials (crib, stroller, clothes, diapers)
• Having a clear financial picture helped me set realistic savings goals.

Creating a Dedicated "Baby Fund"
I opened a separate savings account just for pregnancy and baby-related expenses. Every payday, I set up an automatic transfer into this fund. Even small contributions added up over time, and knowing this money was safe from impulse spending gave me peace of mind.

Adjusting My Budget
I realized that if I wanted to save effectively, I needed to spend smarter. Some of the changes I made:

• Cooking more at home instead of relying on takeout
• Canceling unused subscriptions (I didn’t really need three streaming services!)
• Shopping secondhand for clothes and household items
• Pausing unnecessary big purchases (Did I really need a new phone?)
• These changes freed up extra money without making me feel deprived.

Building an Emergency Fund
Pregnancy and childbirth come with unexpected costs, so I made it a priority to save at least three months’ worth of living expenses. This would also act as a cushion in case of complications or extra time off work.

Reviewing My Health Insurance & Work Benefits
I checked my insurance to see what prenatal care and hospital delivery costs were covered. I also looked into my employer’s maternity leave policy—how much paid leave I could get and whether I needed additional savings to cover unpaid time off.

Exploring Additional Income Sources
To speed up my savings, I looked for ways to earn extra money:

• Selling clothes, books, and electronics I no longer used
• Taking on freelance projects in my free time
• Using cashback and reward programs for everyday purchases
• Even an extra $100-200 a month went directly into my baby fund.

Avoiding Debt
I knew that entering pregnancy with existing debt would only add stress. I focused on paying off my credit card balance and avoiding unnecessary loans. Having financial freedom before pregnancy was a major priority.

Educating Myself on Baby Expenses
Instead of blindly buying everything new parents recommended, I started researching what was truly necessary. Many parents advised me that I didn’t need a fancy crib or tons of newborn outfits. Planning ahead meant I wouldn’t waste money on things I wouldn’t actually use.

Mentally Preparing for Financial Changes
I knew that once I had a baby, my spending habits would change permanently. Saving now wasn’t just about preparing for pregnancy —it was about developing better money habits for the long run.

Looking Ahead with Confidence
I’m still in the planning stage, but I already feel more financially secure. Instead of worrying about how I’ll afford a baby, I now have a growing savings fund and a solid plan in place.

If you’re thinking about starting a family, my advice is: start saving early, track your expenses and build financial habits that will make your future pregnancy stress-free. The best time to prepare is before you even see that positive test!