I agree... be as debt free as possible. DP and I are TTC, we are getting all our debts excpet mortgage (damn!) paid off, money aside for bills and emergency money (cars breaking down, pets to the vet etc) and we are hoping to live off 1 wage shortly and the other wage can go into savings and extra mortgage repayments, and I would like to take 1yr off work, so trying to save money for the lost income during that time. As for nursery furniture and baby items, look around. We have decided to layby 1 item at a time, we have a pram on layby, the cot will be next. (we decided to layby while we are both working and can afford it) I won't be buying baby clothes until I am pregnant and further towards the end of pregnancy, only because my SIL and good friend were given soooo much in the way of clothes and things, that they both have enough clothes to do until there babies are 12months old. My SIL has said that she got so much stuff that half of it her DD has not even worn. friends, family will go baby crazy and buy heaps, so why double up?
It is hard not to buy up big now...oh the little baby clothes are oh so cute! But be strong, I would rather be able to afford to take 12months, maybe more off work than have more baby items than I can poke a stick at!