Childcare
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
Work opposite schedules with your spouse to eliminate childcare costs.
This approach saved one couple completely on childcare costs during their daughter's first year.
- Only possible if work schedules allow it.
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Use a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for childcare with pre-tax dollars.
It reduces childcare costs by utilizing tax-free funds.
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Be generous to childcare teachers with frequent gift cards, cash gifts, and verbal thanks.
To acknowledge their patience and hard work.
one person who lived it
Ask your employer to deduct job prerequisite costs from your first few paychecks.
It might help ease the financial burden.
one person who lived it
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Become childcare for others or work in a daycare or school district to gain free or cheap childcare for your own children.
Daycares often let employees' kids attend, and school districts give enrollment preferences to employees in early childhood programs.
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Trade shifts to avoid premium pay hours if those earnings push you over the threshold for government benefits.
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Check military spouse resources and local Facebook groups for free or low-cost babysitting assistance during transitions like boot camp.
Someone may be kind enough to help, and official resources exist.
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Research childcare costs thoroughly.
Childcare is expensive and its cost should not be underestimated.
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