Money for baby?

I'm 15 and my bf is 16.. My name is Chanel and his is Jacob. Jacob said that we need to start saving.. About $1200 a month, He makes $525.74 (putting up 300). I make $412.62 (putting up 300). My dad and Jacob's parents are giving us money every month which is 400 all together (200 each).. My grandparents are paying for the medical bills and giving us $200 a month.. Is that good so far? I'm 16 weeks pregnant right now. Also what type of things will a baby need? We have good insurance and I can work though out my pregnancy.. I work at a daycare in the lobby answering calls and signing people in and out... things like that.. I'm going to breastfeed also I'm going to finish school, I love school.. I'm going to be a doctor one day. ob/gyn

Public Comments

1. A baby needs all your attention and love. Along with hundreds of dollars worth of stuff to survive just the first few months.
2. I want to commend you for being so responsible and for having a good support team. Being so young you will struggle with a lot of things but it sounds like you are on the right path. Look in your area and see if you have pregnancy resource center they usually provide parenting classes and and provide material assistance. Good Luck
3. i personally dont think thats enough to raise a baby on.. i think you should have thought about your money situation before u got pregnant. 15 is really young to be having a baby.. ur still a child urself.
4. SOunds like your doing everything you can at this point. Being resposible is a great thing at your age, so congrats on that! Look into WIC (womens, infant, children) if you formula feed they give you formula for free every month. Save save save, thats all i can say. Cause you will need it. Good luck and congrats!
5. Here is a website that has a checklist of things that you will need for a baby. You may actually not need all of what is on here because you can get by with out some of it. http://www.smartmomma.com/Pregnancy/baby-needs-checklist.htm One thing that I could not have done with out with my daughter was a swing, she loved her swing and I used it all of the time. I think you are doing great and it is nice to see that you have a loving, supporting family. Good Luck! Here is an additional website that i found that may help as well. http://www.ababyresource.com/Preparing_for_Baby/Baby_Needs/
6. From the sounds of it, you and your boyfriend are going to be ok finacially. But do you have insurance that will pay for the delivery of your child and all the appointments? If not, you will need to pay out of pocket which it very expensive. You may not have enough by then. If you do have insurance to pay all or most of your appointments and delivery, then you seem pretty much set. Babies need a crib, bottles, formula(if you don't breastfeed), LOTS of diapers and wipes, you can never have too many outfits, lol...diaper rash ointment like Desitin, Baby bath like Johnson and Johnson, carseat, stroller, playpen, toys for the appropriate age. etc etc. There is so much! If you lived close to me, I have TONS of stuff from my daughter, as well as a whole nursery theme. We had Baby Looney Tunes. We have all the stuff for the crib, stuffed animals, clothes, blankets, recieving blankets, bottles, Nuks...list goes on. Good Luck Hon! I also want to give you Kudos for making sure your baby has all they need. Some young couples are never prepared, but you do have a plan in motion! Once again, Good Luck!
7. Is anyone planning on giving you a baby shower? If so, when/if you find out the sex of the baby register at Babies R Us for items like cribs, bottles, clothes, blankets, diapers, baby bath tub, baby bath/shampoo, diaper rash cream, bedding, car seat/stroller, travel crib fir trips to Grandma's house, ect. Just remember that when you get further along you might not be able to work, so if you have a baby shower others can help with the big items. You should ne getting WIC. If you have not signed up yet you should do so because you can get vouchers for things like milk, juice, cereal, eggs, cheese, and starting this year they are supposed to be adding fresh fruit and veggies to their vouchers. Based on your income and your b/f's income you would definately qualify for it, and kids are eligible until age 5 in most states. If someone in your family has a Costco card, get your diapers there. For size 1 you get close to 300 diapers for $29.99.
8. Aside from the baby basics - cloths, blanket, furniture and equipment you need to figure out monthly expensives like formula, and diapers - which are the two big expenses. Are you going to breastfeed - because that saves a whole lot of money - formula is really expensive. Price out diapers where you are and figure that you will go through an average of eight diapers a day for the first 2 to 3 years. My son is 2 and a half and I figure that I've spent about $2000 so far.
9. I also think that you are off to a good start. Yes, I know that you have heard that you are too young to be having a baby, but I think that you, your boyfriend, and your families are handling the situation very well and I think all will turn out well for you. Thank you for taking the responsibility on yourselves and making the effort to provide a good life for your child.
10. Chanel, it's wonderful that you are being so responsible about this. You are taking steps to provide for your unborn child - you are clearly a mature 15 year old. You would need a crib, maybe a changing table and bureau, a stroller, at least one car seat, a bouncy chair, maybe a bassinet or pack 'n play, lots of diapers, several nightgowns in sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months, baby clothes in assorted sizes to allow for growth in the first few months, baby toys, toiletries, a baby matress, receiving blankets, socks... there's more, I just can't think of it all right now. That all being said, maybe you and Jacob would want to at least consider adoption as an option? You could even opt for an "open" adoption where another couple would be given custody of your baby, but you would still visit and have a role in the baby's life - you just wouldn't have any custody. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
11. You are a VERY LUCKY GIRL to have all these people helping you!! What about school??? Money is a good start but the baby will need a lot that I don't believe a 15 and 16 year old are truely able to give.
12. Not good. It will put money in the bank, but I see 2 problems. One is it was his decision on how much to save and you need to go over the bills together and decide. The other is you are putting equal amounts into the savings, which will leave you broke. You need to do it as a ratio since he makes more than you, and if you are already pregnant, you'll be quitting your job eventually. Have him put in 350 and you put in 250. That will leave with closer to the same amount of money to have for yourself. Also make sure the account is in both names, not just his, because it will help both your credit ratings.
13. Babies need clothes (nothing fancy), a place to sleep, diapers, car seat and food and that's about it for NEEDS. Other things like swings, bouncers, strollers, etc are for fun or luxury items. Saving every dime you can right now will help A LOT! Babies are expensive after they are born....diapers, wipes, doctor's visits, medicines (sometimes), formula, food.....it's a lot. You sound like you are trying, which is great. Keep working at it, okay? Good Luck and God Bless!
14. I think it is wonderful that your trying to save money for the child and a future for you and your child. It is good to have such a good support team. You maybe able to qualify for wic, goto the health department and sign up, they do things now and after the baby is born they give you vouchers for formula. Im not sure what type of insurance you have but you can sign up for my child. It is for pregnant women and there babies. You can sign up for coupons and free things on the internet for the baby and yourself. Alot of companys will send you things so you will try their products. Look up free baby sample, or baby freebies. Try going to www.pampers.com and www.huggies.com I beleive for diapers coupons and samples they will mail to you as well as different programs you can goto. Goto www.ezboard.com and you can sign up for free and then goto freebiefix and there is 20 different pages for different offers for free things and alot of good deals. ;) Got to www.babycenter.com for a checklist for what you will need for your baby. You can email me anytime and I would be happy to email you back with any help or information I can provide. good luck.
15. I think you are doing just fine. At the end of your pregnancy you should have $6000.00 (based on 1200 at 5 months). That should definately cover the basics. And after the baby is born $1200 dollars a month should cover diapers and other necessities. If you plan on breast feeding, that will lower your costs also (Although this may be difficult with school and all). But I really suggest breast feeding for the first couple weeks. It's great that your parents and grandparents are helping out. And I am very happy for you and your boyfriend. I have known many people who decided to end their pregnancies because they were young. It's great that your boyfriend is there for you and being very responsible about the whole situation. There are also a lot of sites that you can go to that will have a newborn check list. Not everything is necessary. The most important thing a child needs is love. Good Luck to both of you.