The Young Mommy Advice Files
Baby Budgets for Young Moms
Wondering how much it costs to provide for a new baby? How much are diapers, new nursery furnishings, clothes, and your own living costs for being on your own? Take a look at our example baby budget, then plan your own with our downloadable, printable, fill-in spreadsheet.Example Budget #1: Single mom, apartment w/ no laundry, no vehicle, newborn baby, breastfeeding
| Apartment | $800 (with utlities included) | |
| Food (groceries & eating out) | $200 | |
| Pharmacy (medications, pads, shampoo, etc.) | $100 | |
| Laundry | $40 | |
| Phone (either landline OR cell, internet) | $60 | |
| Diapers & wipes | $40 | |
| Bus pass | $60 | |
| Monthly total: | $1,300 | |
| Yearly total: | $15,600 |
One-time-only new baby costs:
| Crib | $200-$300 | Stroller | $70-$100 |
| Dressers | $20-200 | Carseat | $50-$100 |
| High chair | $40-$130 | Bath tub or seat | $10 each |
| Towels, face cloths | $20 | Clothes for baby | $50 |
| Bibs and feeding supplies | $60 | Bedding, blankets | $40 |
| Diaper bag | $20-$40 | Maternity clothing | $60-$100 |
TOTAL COSTS: from $640 to $1160
These prices vary widely, and the costs can range even above or below what's listed depending on where you shop (from garage sales to used-clothing stores to department stores to baby boutiques). If you are having a baby shower thrown for you or have someone who has an older baby and can give hand-me-downs, you may receive many of these items and will not have to purchase them new yourself.
Example Budget #2: Single mom, apartment w/ laundry but no utilities, 1 vehicle (owned), full-time student, older baby on formula and food
| Apartment | $800 | |
| Food (groceries & eating out) | $150 | |
| Pharmacy (medications, pads, shampoo, etc.) | $100 | |
| Electricity | $60 | |
| Phone (either landline OR cell, internet) | $60 | |
| Baby Supplies (diapers, wipes, formula, jar food) | $100 | |
| Gas for car | $100 | |
| Parking on campus | $130 | |
| Full-time daycare | Subsidized spot | |
| Monthly total: | $1,500 | |
| Yearly total: | $18,000 |
Your Turn - Download and Fill in your own Baby Budget!
Here are some baby budget spreadsheets for you to download and fill out with your own information. In the top sections, enter all of your costs. At the bottom, enter your income (your job, spouse or partner's job if applicable, government assistance, and/or student loans). If stamps or a subsidy are covering costs in one area, enter the costs you actually pay or leave the field blank if your costs are $0. Keep your entries numerical in order for the calculation formulas to work (in open document and Excel formats only).
Download a copy of the YM Baby Budget in .xls (Microsoft Excel 97/2000/XP) format
Download a copy of the YM Baby Budget in .odt (Open Office) format
In case you don't have Excel or Open Office, there's also a .pdf version (see below) that you can save and print:
Download a copy of the YM Baby Budget in .pdf format
Have your own baby budget that suits your own unique family? Send it to us and we'll add it to the site! Click here to send an e-mail to YM's Site Director.
  
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