Is it normal to be stressed out financially when finding out you're pregnant?

Question

Before I found out I was pregnant my only bill was my car, my husband cares for everything else... I'm miserable with my job and I feel so lazy... Im trying to sell my car but no luck still... my car is $600 a month.. if we can't sell this car I don't know how we are gonna afford things when the baby is born and I'm not working.. we are military btw.

Answer

Totally normal! I panicked initially and then made a new budget to follow basically every month and tried to predict our savings by the time the baby's here. Now here we are a month before my due date and my husband just got a new job offer and he decided to take it and we've decided I'm not going back to work after my maternity leave. We did a total 180 from what the plan was when we first found out I was pregnant. What I'm getting at is no need to stress and scramble now, things can change unexpectedly and quickly for the better. I'm sure with a little elbow grease and savings you'll find yourself in a better place soon.

Answer

Of course! You will manage one way or another. Start saving up and cutting back.

Answer

You may not want to hear this but you can apply for TANF (temporary cash assistance... they help you out for about 6 months & food stamps which will help for a few months, even if you have a job... it's just to help you fill the gaps. You can also take up a part time online job or see what childcare help is available in your area when baby comes. Don't stress, just do a little bit of research and find something that works for your situation in your area & best of luck momma 💕

Answer

Yes, I definitely understand. When I found out I was pregnant I lost my job like a week later. I told my boyfriend (he's Navy) and he told me don't worry about it nor stress. But me being me I still did. So I just found a 100% remote job. To bring my stress down and finally be able to contribute again. You can google or look on Glassdoor or Indeed for stay at home jobs.

Answer

We panicked!

Then I sat down and made a spreadsheet of costs 🤓

One sheet was 'absolute bare minimum' costs, and the other was 'mid-range+'. After adding up costs of everything, we realised that we could do it, and that a lot of suggested items weren't actually needed (a humidifier? Bassinet? Gliding nursery/feeding chair? As nice as they are, they are not essential). Buy a few things each month, watch for sales, do some research into things that can be reused after certain mile stones. You don't need to have 'everything' when baby is born; just get the essentials, and buy stuff as you need it. Sure, at the end of the day, you could be spending the same amount, but at least the cost is spread over a long period of time, which really helps.

And sell the car, buy something much cheaper second hand. Even if you sell it for less than you wanted; it's $30,000 (!!!) you won't have to look for in the future. 
If you live a life where you can spend $30,000 on a car, you can afford a baby. You just need to reprioritise a few things, but nothing serious.

Answer

600$ car payment? Omg....how much do you have left to pay?

Answer

My so is so stressed, he has a 800 truck payment plus our phone is 180, he just started working again, so we've been so stressed, and we are expecting!

Answer

I mean, yes slightly worried but I never set myself up for bills I wouldnt be able to pay easily anyways.

Answer

Why not just trade your car? Wouldn't that be an easy fix?

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Girl I feel. My fiancé and I both work minimum wage jobs, and mine is only part time & his is full time. He's supposed to get a raise after his probationary period is up (60 days) but even that will only be a dollar more. We have no idea what to do. He's talking about getting a second job but with class, work and the baby coming, I'll really need his help. And I already have work and school so I can't very well get another job. It's rough, we still have no idea what to do and our baby is due in July 😓

Is it normal to be stressed out financially when finding out you're pregnant?

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