It was once just a fleeting thought. Your mind would picture baby pink accents with lots of teddies surrounding a lavish cot, teddy bears, toys and books along with the latest baby monitors to make sure your little one is safe, comfortable – only the best for your new baby. This excitement is quite often met with anxiety however, as the realization of cost and your reduced income thwart your pushchair and car seat online browsing. The reality mums often have to face is simply ‘how can I afford all the things my baby needs?’
Asking yourself this question can make your head spin. That one question triggers more: How can I decorate their room on a small budget? How can I afford their pushchairs and car seats on a basic income? What about affording daycare and nursery when I return to work? With all these questions rattling around your head like a pinball machine, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not, here are some sure-fire ways to give your baby the best start in life and find the funds for those essential purchases and unleash your beautiful creativity.
Flexible & Home Working
The benefits of working from home are huge, you can boost your income in the hours that fit your lifestyle, around your family, your education and your baby. It’s not always easy but working from home can be particularly helpful for new mums who can prioritize childcare but still earn a monthly income.
Many roles now will consider flexible working, with home working being offered as standard these days. If you can’t find a role with this flexibility, there are a myriad of daycare options that can help you get back into employment but there are other, more creative options for you to consider.
Creativity
Creative individuals coupled with the rise in social media and video sharing have cleaned up over the past 15 years. When you think about Youtube personalities, know that a lot of them command 6 figure sums per year with the Youtube revenue. So how can you do it? Consider your own skills and explore starting your own business where you can work from home around your child. This could simply be a few hours a week perhaps blogging or teaching to boost your income.
So always ask yourself: are you an excellent writer? Can you teach a musical instrument? Can I use my photography knowledge to earn an income? These types of skills let your creativity earn you money. What about crafting and selling your wares on Etsy or if you are feeling ambitious, how about starting a Youtube channel to generate some extra income. All these ideas are excellent ways to work from home, fitting around your busy life as a parent and helping you afford the baby essential you require.
So don’t fret about affording the essentials for your baby or even later on down the road when they start school or request Christmas lists as long as your arm. Consider your options and reflect on your skills, there are always opportunities out there so stay positive and know you will be just fine.
