Continuing on with this 3 part series, I bring you part 2!
If you missed part 1, don’t worry!
You can check it out here.
Today you will get some great tips for saving on medical expenses, as well as saving on day-to-day stuff that parents are fortunate enough to deal with.
Here are the next 7 tips (tips 8-14) for child-proofing your finances…
8. Compare Hospital Costs
All hospitals are not created equal.
Some hospitals charge for television usage as well as other “perks” such as single recovery rooms.
Keep this in mind when you are looking at the potential overall cost of your stay.
And just so you know, you or your insurance company has paid for all the items stanched under your little ones bassinet. Don’t forget that stuff. Baby wash, diapers, thermometer/covers, wipes…it’s all yours!
9. Don’t Immediately Go to the Doctor
If it’s not a life threatening issue, call your doctor and talk to them over the phone instead of automatically making an appointment.
A lot of times they can diagnose and even prescribe a treatment over the phone, potentially saving you the cost of a doctor’s visit.
10. Borrow
Many times you can borrow baby items from a friend or relative who isn’t using them.
Some big ticket items such as a breast pump, baby swing, jumper, or car seat can be borrowed at zero cost to you.
11. Swap Sitting Services
Alliteration aside…ask a trusted friend to swap sitting with you.
They can watch your kids one night and you can watch their kids another.
If they don’t have kids, maybe you could swap them some other service such as dog sitting or mowing their lawn.
This not only saves you money, but it saves your friend’s money too!
12. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”
Kids will be kids. And that usually means they ask for a lot.
It’s a great thing to get them what they want…sometimes.
Learn to tell them no, especially if it is an impulse request, but don’t forget to explain why you are telling them no.
My daughter asks for a lot after she sees a commercial or walks down the toy isle.
Oh, marketing.
Does she usually remember that toy exists a week later? Nope.
I listen to her requests and file them away. When she asks for something often, that can give me a great gift idea for the next holiday!
13. Know What Your Insurance Covers
Insurance doesn’t always cover everything.
I always discuss what my insurance covers with my doctor and let them know that I DO NOT want any procedure that is not covered by my insurance unless they talk to me about it first.
A lot of doctors just follow a routine and it can end up costing you more if your insurance does not cover their “routine”.
14. Count the Cost of Daycare
It isn’t always beneficial for both spouses to work outside the home.
If the cost of daycare outweighs (or comes close to) the income brought in by the second spouse, you might want to reconsider. At least calculate what you actually earn after expenses.
For instance, if day care is $300 per week and the second spouse makes $9 an hour for 40 hours, they essentially added $60 a week to the total household income.
What could you cut back to save $60 a month and have the second spouse stay at home?
After expenses like commuting and eating out, there may be even less than $60.
The Rest of the Tips
Good news! That’s not all.
This is the second article in a 3 part series. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3.
Don’t miss all 21 tips!
Photo Credit: artnoose, Flavia, Jeff Meyer, Taber Andrew Bain