<prompt> Human: My husband and I agreed to start TTC our first child in Spring 2016 and I want to get a head start on saving and budgeting. Ive been researching online what we need to buy and how much we need to save, but the advice is overwhelming and all over the place.Were in Germany so medical care is covered by insurance with minimal out of pocket costs. I also have 8 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and then I would plan to go back to work.My husband and I earn roughly 5000 net each month taxes and insurance already taken out. He earns 2700 net per month and I earn 2300. My salary covers all of our expenses mortgage, utilities, food, insurances, food, etc. and his income is for savings and any miscellaneous expenses. I plan to continue working after my paid maternity leave. Any advice how to best budget and save for baby? Thanks! Assistant: The big cost with babies is the choice of daycare or losing one income so a parent can stay home. At least thats true in the US - hopefully the daycare situation is less insane in Germany. Your life will change in a variety of ways, but financially, thats the one to think about now.Babies dont really need a ton otherwise - youll spend a bit on a crib, diapers, clothes, and so on. You can also get just about anything for children second hand for really cheap since kids are constantly outgrowing whatever you bought them six months ago. Human: Thankfully I dont think well have that issue. I plan to continue working, mostly from home since my job and hours are super flexible. And when we cant watch the baby ourselves, one of our parents both sets live in the same city can. The daycare in our local village costs 200 per month including food which seems reasonable to me. What does it typically cost in the US?Assistant: It depends where you live. Im in an expensive east coast city, and there are few day care centers that cost less than 1500 a month. Paying 2000 a month is not unusual.Human: Wow. Thats more than my mortgage...  <response>: Its more than most peoples mortgages... 