Having a baby is beautiful thing, but also very expensive! The Average Cost of Raising a Child. According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610. While this may be jaw dropping for some, proper financial planning and and a savings plan, will keep you and your family in control at all times. Below we have listed 5 tips for an effective budget for you and your new bundle of joy.

1. Practice living on less. New parents may experience a change in their income after the child is born. One parent might take some unpaid maternity or paternity leave, or one might leave work entirely. Practice living on this lower income in the months leading up to your due date. This will help you get accustomed to a smaller budget and you will save for any upcoming expenses.

       2. Meal Planning. Food may be take the biggest bite out of one's income + your time may be more limited now that you have a new bundle of joy. Try preping all your meals in bulk so all you will need to do is heat up the food. You can also find inexpensive meal-planning services to help map out favorite dishes through sites such HelloFresh & Plated.

       3.Understand Your Health Care. From doctors visits to hospital fees, medical costs are unavoidable. Understanding your policy is critical in managing these expenses and preparing for those unexpected bills. Try to save up enough to cover your annual insurance plan deductible, and budgeting up to your maximum out-of-pocket expenses as a safety net.

       4.Don't overbuy baby goods. New parents might buy items they think will make their lives easier such as expensive gadgets that promise to help their baby sleep better or keep them entertained for hours. However, most of these products are a waste of money. When it comes to necessary baby goods, such as a crib, stroller or car seat, look for ways to reduce the financial burden by borrowing from family and friends or searching for gently used options available in your local listings.

        5.Save with Apps. There's an app for just about everything, and saving on baby items is no different. Sites just like BeFrugal, can help you save some extra money on all your expenses. Stack up the savings!! Below we have included a few retailers that offer amazing deals to prepare for a new baby.

• buybuyBABY - 4% Cash Back
• Macy's - 10% Cash Back
• The Children's Place- 4% Cashback
• Carter's - 3% Cash Back
• ABCmouse.com - $3 Cash Back
• Gap - 3% Cash Back
• Kids Foot Locker - 4% Cash Back
• shopDisney - 2% Cash Back