A survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that it can take about $249,180 to raise a child from birth to age 17 - and that’s the dual parent household. Figures are higher for single parent families; up to $250,260.

That’s about $15,000 a year! Are you freaked out yet?

Take heart; there are many ways to save money while raising your baby. Tomorrow we’ll look at some of the specific areas of baby care that you can save money on, such as clothing, food, and toys. First though, a collection of handy posts that will get you thinking about budgeting and saving money.

Basic budgeting & money saving tactics: 

• Save Money All the Time
• Should You Save for Retirement or College?
• How to worry less about money
• Save Money on Groceries
• Three ways to get little kids interested in money

Baby specific budgeting: 

• Bringing up baby
• Cost of raising your baby
• How to afford maternity leave
• Money saving tip: tell no one your baby’s gender
• Top 7 ways to save money while raising baby
• Should you wait for more money to have a baby