10 questions to ask your partner before having a baby

Make no mistake – having a baby is expensive and the shape of your finances should be a primary concern (it’s more important than the emotional aspect!).

There are many aspects that you’ll need to consider and they range from everyday expenses such as taking care of your baby’s basic needs, to long-term financial commitments like saving for your child’s education funds – all of which will require thorough and significant long-term financial planning.

MUST READ: 3 common money mistakes made by Malaysians

We recommend that you run through these highly-important questions on our family financial checklist with your partner before your little bundle of joy is conceived.

Have you asked your potential baby’s father or mother these life-changing questions?

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1. How will you fund “Project Baby”?

Babies come with magical powers – they accelerate the disappearance of money. Cribs! Diapers! Strollers!

And things get more expensive the older they get (read: college fees). Make a realistic financial plan on how much you will need to set aside for your child every month and make sure to leave some leeway for the unexpected.

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2. How many kids do you plan to have?

The more practical question would be how many can you realistically “afford”?

This variable will influence your life and finances more than anything else.

Hence, it is important to thoroughly assess the cost of having a child (some experts estimate it will cost roughly RM1.5 million in urban Malaysia), and discuss whether your current or future financial situations will allow for it.

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3. If you have difficulty conceiving, who will pay for fertility treatment?

Statistics show that one in seven Malaysians have trouble conceiving.

Should you and your partner require assistance to get pregnant, who and how will you pay for such treatments? The good news is, fertility treatments have a pretty high success rate.

The bad? They can easily cost between RM15,000 and RM17,000.

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4. How will your careers change?

Are you okay (like really okay) with the financial and career trade-offs that might come with having a baby?

If you currently work full time, will you opt for a job with more flexible hours but could entail a possible pay cut? Will one of you work while the other stays at home? If so, how long will the arrangement last and what is the financial impact?

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5. Can you survive on a single income?

If having one parent stay at home with the new baby is the most practical option for your family, can you survive on a single income? What are the adjustments that you will have to make that will allow you to cut expenses, save more and leverage on your resources to stick with a single income?

MUST READ: 4 tips for Malaysia's middle class to cope with the rising cost of living

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6. What type of childcare can you afford?

If you don’t prefer being a stay-at-home parent, or if that’s simply not an option, you may want to consider your childcare options. If you have parents or in-laws who are willing to take care of your child while you work, then it could cut down on your expenses.

If not, you would have to consider options such as hiring a baby sitter, a domestic maid, a housekeeper, a nanny, or sending your child to a day care centre. Factors like cost and convenience are key considerations when selecting a childcare provider.

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7. Will you send your child(ren) to a public or private school?

What kind of schooling experience do you want for your offspring? How much are you willing to pay for it and how will such expenses change your financial options?

For example, if you insist on sending your children to an international school, does that mean you have to buy a smaller home or make other financial sacrifices elsewhere?

MUST READ: How much do you need for your children's education?

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8. How will you save for education?

College and university fees don’t come for cheap, so take time to research future education costs for your child, before coming up with a long-term plan to gradually save for your child’s education. If necessary, your child can take out a student loan for school. Banking on a scholarship isn’t something you can do.

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9. How will you protect your family?

With a child depending on you, it is imperative that you are able to provide for your family should the worst happen to you.

This is why life insurance is absolutely crucial for new parents. Somewhere around eight to 10 times your current annual income is pretty standard in order to ensure the financial continuity of your loved one.

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10. How will you save more money?

Having a child is one of the biggest financial drains to your budget and the question of how to save more money will inevitably crop up.

Buying used items, doing things yourself instead of paying a premium for services, and using credit cards that offer rebates for your spending can save you a fortune.

These questions are tough but it’s better to ask them and address them before you have a baby to ensure you don’t run into any problems later on.

If less than three of the above are left unchecked, it’s time for you and your partner to reassess your financial situation and whether you are ready to take the next step.

Coming to terms with your new “family budget” will not always be easy, as it might require you to downsize your budget to cover the costs of a new life. But taking such measures will definitely be worth the effort if it means it will ensure a more secure future for you and your family.