5 expenses to plan for before the baby arrives
These are the five most common expenses for every couple in the second trimester of pregnancy in Singapore.
The moment that you discover your pregnancy merely marks the start of your joyous journey. The first trimester passes like a breeze and you are soon in the mobility phase again. The nausea may have receded, the baby bump may not be very visible, and the doctor might even allow you to fly!
If this is your first child, you may not realise until further down the road, that these few months are to be enjoyed! Seize the moment to travel freely as you might not have a similar opportunity for years to come. Mums and dads, these are the five things you HAVE to spend on in the second trimester!
1# Babymoon
If you have not planned one yet, now is the perfect time. There are a lot of destinations around Singapore that are perfect as babymoon destinations! Plan a less hectic and a more relaxed vacation, as your energy level may not be the same! Remember, you are planning this trip to relax, not explore!
The things you definitely want to keep in mind are:
- Proximity to the nearest hospital
- Duration of travel and terrain
Always remember to check out the travel deals to that destination. Many a time, you will end up getting a good deal on the airfare or hotel booking, or even a cashback on your card.
2# Preparing the house, creating a baby checklist
Now that you are relaxed from the babymoon, you need to make a few changes to the house. You have to make room for the many things you would be buying for the tiny one!
The first thing to do is to prepare a baby arrival checklist. This should include all the things the new mum and newborn would need, at least for the first month – items such as bedding, bathing, diapering and feeding for the baby, as well as nursing and confinement for the mum. Take the chance to find out from other new mums to have a quick shortlist of what you will need!
3# Child’s healthcare and investments
Now is the time when you are relatively stress-free. Utilise it for researching the right protection plans for your child!
Parents need to learn about the Child Development Account (CDA). CDA is a fantastic scheme offered by selected banks and the Government of Singapore, meant solely for your children. The Government would match your savings dollar-for-dollar, up to a certain amount, depending on the birth order of your child. The savings can be used for educational and medical purposes at approved institutions.
POSB offers 2% p.a. rate of interest on the POSB Smiley CDA account balance, which is linked to a POSB Baby Bonus NETS Card. There are a lot of discounts you can enjoy with the card. For instance, you get 10% off online purchases on clothing collections at Mothers en Vogue, or S$100 off your purchase of a 21-days or 28-days dual meal plan for your Confinement food at The Natal Kitchen.
A POSBkids savings account will also be opened for you when you take up the POSB Smiley CDA. You can start saving early for your child’s education and other future expenses. Click here for more details.
4# Baby fairs
Baby fairs offer a chance to buy the things you have researched at a good price. Many leading brands come together for these and display their latest wares. Many a time, you end up getting bundled offers which are much better than other deals in the market. You can also sign up for services like Cord Blood Banking, investment planning or the pregnancy photoshoot you may have been planning for so long!
There are plenty of these fairs all year round and you can find out when and where via social media or newspapers. Again, see if you can get some deals at these baby fairs by using the debit or credit cards of your respective banks. You never know what additional discounts you may be entitled to!
5# Planning ahead for the arrival - Confinement nanny and massage lady
There are a few things you need to plan ahead of time. Securing the services of the confinement nanny and the massage lady are some of them!
The confinement nanny helps out during the confinement period just after birth. These nannies are trained in the art and are in high demand. Same goes with the massage ladies. Both are needed by new mums, who find these services quite helpful.
Pregnancy is a beautiful phase, which is followed by another that is even more delightful. That said, you are going to get very busy after the child arrives. Make the most of this phase!
This article is sponsored by POSB. To learn more about the POSB Smiley CDA, visit posb.com.sg/cda