Baby on the Way

Congratulations, your life is about to change dramatically. Only you can determine how much you can afford to spend on your little bundle of joy,
but once you do figure it out, credit cards can help you with the timing.

Start by listing out all the possible expenses so you can get a good handle on what you'll need. Then prioritize. Identify what you'll need sooner versus later, (i.e. maternity clothes will be necessary before the bassinette) and then plot a timeline for making the purchases. The idea is to spread the cost out over 9 months in a logical way. Then you can use your credit card to make purchases according to the timeline. The statements will help you keep track of what you bought when and how much it cost. Try to stick to your original budget.

If your credit card has a rewards program, the baby's expenses can help you build up points. In some cases the rewards can be used toward children's clothing and gear. Also, check out the online parenting ecommerce sites.