Prengncy: M is for Money

M is for Money. What else would M be for? Even if money or fiances were not important in a relationship before pregnancy (and the number 1 thing couples fight about is fiances), it suddenly becomes important when pregnant.

Babies are expensive. They don't have to be super expensive though. After all, babies only really need mom for the first few months. However, there are lots of things that are nice to have: it is those things that are expensive, like swings, toys, and diaper pails.

Then there are the things new mothers are suckered into buying.

I've just spend time looking up Dreft. It's the laundry detergent brand marketed to new mothers as perfect to fight stains and be gentle on an infant's sensitive skin. It's also expensive. Maybe I'm missing it, but it does not claim to be free of dyes or perfumes--in fact the baby smell seems to be part of it's brand appeal. Hmmmm. That's something I don't need to spend money on. I have a container of Tide Free for our athletic clothes and a sample of All Free Clear. Those are both cheaper and free of dyes and perfumes. Guess what I will no be purchasing?

Another thing I've not spent money on is clothing. A friend had a son a year ago and has given me most of the clothes her friends gave her and some she purchased. Her first line was "They will be the right size for the right season!" Good, I won't be talked into buying Baby's First Christmas outfits because I already have them. I love my friends.

Other expensive things are more than nice to have: a college education, day care/nanny, and medical expenses (just to start with). OK, those cost money. I don't have a solution. All I know is that in my pregnancy alphabet, M is for Money.