Buying for Baby Without Going Broke
Guest blog by Alicia Werle
Having a baby is one of the most precious and exciting times in the life of expecting parents but it can also be one of the most financially stressful times as well. Studies show that the average family spends around $800 or more a month on things that are needed to take care of their little ones. Its overwhelming when you think about all the items that are essential in raising a baby. Things like diapers, baby wipes, formula, bottles, lotions, shampoo, diaper creams and many other items can be very expensive especially when you are buying some of them every few days. Not to mention it seems like you are changing clothing sizes every week the entire first year of their lives. All of these things add up and cause much unnecessary stress and worry.
Tip # 1: Stock up Early Using Coupons
The best way to be prepared before your baby arrives is to stock up on essential items like diapers, wipes, shampoo and lotions. As a mother of an 8-week old at home that is exactly what I did to save time and money. Use coupons to stock up and get prices up to 80 percent off what a normal pack of diapers, etc would cost you. I would recommend starting to shop for these items at least 6 months before your little one is due. If you already have a baby then I recommend buying the next few sizes up. You can find coupons online through sites like coupons.com or Facebook. You can also find hundreds of dollars worth of coupons every month in your local newspaper every Sunday on baby essentials. The idea behind this is to stock up early when the items are on sale rather than waiting until you need them and end up paying full price. When my little one was born I actually had a year’s supply of diapers in multiple sizes and I did not pay more than $3.75 for any of them just by applying this principle. The same rule applies for other items as well like diaper wipes, lotions and shampoo for example.
Tip #2: Consider Buying the First Years Clothing Second Hand
If this you are expecting your first child then this is information that you definitely need to hear. In the first 12 months of your child’s life they will grow like a weed. It seems like every week you are changing the clothing size that they wear and quickly going from newborn outfits to 12 month outfits before you know it. With my first child, who is now 4 years old, I made this common mistake. I spent thousands of dollars on clothes that she only wore once or never wore at all. Consider buying second hand clothing at least for the first year. You can find gently used baby clothes by shopping at yard sales, consignment stores or even asking friends who have recently had little ones if you can buy their no longer needed items. This tip allowed saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars the second time around with my son.
Tip # 3: Sign up for Rewards Programs and Baby Clubs
There are membership programs out there specifically designed in helping parents provide items needed for their children from infant through toddler years. They offer discounts on hundreds of items that are absolutely essential throughout your little ones first few years. Programs like Amazon Moms and Publix Baby Club are two of the most popular ones that offer the largest savings. There is no commitment to join and no requirement to purchase anything. The best part is that they will also send you coupons in the mail and send monthly emails and newsletters that have great information about raising a child and on a budget.
Tip # 4: Skip the Extra’s
When you have your first child you typically go out and purchase all of the items that “they” tell you that you need. The baby industry spends millions of dollars each year in advertising and marketing telling you exactly what you NEED for your little one from expensive furniture to baby gear that they claim will make your baby safe. Speaking from personal experience I saved a fortune the second time around by not purchasing the fluff items. Skip the baby wipe warmer, expensive designer baby cloths, themed bedroom cribs sets, diaper genies, baby bathtub and other non-essential items. Its amazing how quickly these extra frills can add up and have a huge impact on your budget. You can still raise your child in a safe and loving home and skip the extra frills.
As a mother of two, I have saved my family thousands of dollars every year. You don’t need a fortune to raise a baby and start your new family. Enjoy time with your little one and leave the financial worry behind by applying these 4 simple tips above to your baby budget.
Alicia Werle is the owner of Breaking Free Financial Seminars. She teaches monthly seminars on how to actively become debt free through couponing.
