We worked out all of our bills, mortgage, insurance, food, car costs etc and worked out what we could afford for me to take off work. I have 26wks of half pay, plus also baby bonus. We started to layby the big items as soon as we started trying, and bought bits and pieces each pay. I have bought nearly all the baby gear 2nd hand. Clothes I have saved a fortune on. Babies cost as much as you want to spend. I couldn't justify spending $600 on a cot, so I bought a new cot in box from ebay for $80. If you look around you can get bargains, and if you start a budget now, it can be done.