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Question 
LIF Adolescent 
Member since 5/05 703 total posts 
Name:
  
 
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 What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
My Hubby and I are talking about TTC and I was curious about what's the average on how much things cost for a new baby: diapers, formula, etc?   
  TIA
  *I just also wanted to add - I hope I didn't sound rude asking this -- I just want to make sure we are financially ready.  
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:02 AM    | 
	
	
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Texas4Good 
My Boys 
  
Member since 6/05 1019 total posts 
Name: Anne 
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
Gosh, sorry I can't be of help. We just go with the flow...never really made a budget to fit the baby. You just make it work and the first year, you will have people giving you things, the shower, ect...that gets you a jump start.  If you BF your baby, it can make things quite affordable, because no need to buy formula. Now a days with Costco or Sam's, you can buy in bulk for diapers, formula and wipes ... that helps with cost. Good luck!  
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:15 AM    | 
	
	
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DaniMo 
LIF Infant 
Member since 5/06 341 total posts 
Name: Danielle 
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
ITA with the above poster, but thought I'd add what we pay for some of the items i know of offhand: 
  Formula: we now use RTF, at $4.19 each (Walmart used to be cheaper but not anymore!).  I buy 10 a week.
  Diapers: the jumbo boxes from Walmart of around 120 are about 24.99 each. I use coupons from Pampers.com, so I save a dollar. That one dollar adds up though! We get a new box about every 2 - 3 weeks.
  Food -- veggies & fruit are around 1.09 each when not on sale & without coupons. We buy about 25 per week. 
  Daycare -- about $1000 per month. 
  If we waited until we were *truly* financially ready, we'd still be waiting.   We've just kind of made it work. 
  HTH!!
  
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:30 AM    | 
	
	
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BrunetteMom 
LIF Adult 
Member since 8/05 1480 total posts 
Name:
  
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
I don't think that anyone is ever truly ready and putting a pricetag on what the costs will be is difficult.. I do think that everything just falls in place somehow. 
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:33 AM    | 
	
	
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JennyGirl 
LIF Adolescent 
Member since 4/06 606 total posts 
Name: Jennifer 
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
It is expensive, but I spend the most money on unnecessary things... sometimes I can't resist a cute outfit or new toy, etc.   
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:38 AM    | 
	
	
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BabyAvocado 
Happy New Year 
  
Member since 5/05 17334 total posts 
Name:
  
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
I don't find it difficult to put a price tag on it at all...well, the basics. We keep a budget of around $300/mo for the baby (not including childcare)
  Formula - Ready to Feed (RTF) is what we use but powder is cheaper.  That's around $120/mo without coupons
  Diapers - I buy the largest box @ approx $30 for 150 diapers.  I have to stock the sitter to so I spend around $60/mo
  Wipes - safe estimate $25/mo
  Healthcare - approx $15/mo in insurance co-pays (more in the beginning)
  Clothes & toys make up the rest. 
  Daycare (center) - $1200/mo and up; you can save by using in-home child care (a friend, neighbor or relative to watch the baby)
  Of course there are always unexpected things that come up - baby gets sick and needs medicine, you want a sitter for a night out, etc. ($10/hr)  But those are the basics. 
  
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:41 AM    | 
	
	
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BrunetteMom 
LIF Adult 
Member since 8/05 1480 total posts 
Name:
  
 
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 Re: What's the Average cost for a new Baby 
Posted by JennyGirl
  It is expensive, but I spend the most money on unnecessary things... sometimes I can't resist a cute outfit or new toy, etc.   
 
  Same here. that's why for me it's hard to put a pricetag on it. I've never been the type to say "no, I can't buy ___ because it's not in the budget of what I had alloted on spending this month" and all kids needs are different.
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			Posted 5/19/06 11:44 AM    | 
	
	
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