Having a new baby can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a costly one. It can seem that babies need so much stuff, and all of it seems to be expensive. Here are a few ideas to help you save money and accommodate your upcoming costs.
1. Avoid Buying Too Many Newborn Clothes
Newborn clothes are cute, and buying them can add to your excitement, but try not to get caught up in it. You’ll probably get lots of newborn clothes from friends and family, so save money by limiting your own baby shopping.
2. Ask For Other Sizes In Baby Clothes
You can ask close friends and family to gift baby clothes in sizes other than newborn size. Asking for larger sizes means that your new baby will have a wardrobe of clothes for a range of sizes, and not just an abundance of newborn clothes.
3. Create A Baby Gift Registry
Creating a gift registry, or making multiple registries in different stores, can help your family and friends find gifts for your new baby that you need. It can also help if you make your list gender neutral. You can make your own registry and email it out, or many baby stores, and even Amazon can be used to make a registry.
4. Don’t Feel Bad About Returning Things
You might have conflicted feelings about returning things that people have gifted you and your little one, but if they aren’t useful, it’s okay not to keep them. Anything that you don’t or won’t use can be taken back and exchanged for money, or store credit. Use the returned cash or credit to buy items that you do need and will use.
5. Check Local Marketplace Groups And Charity Shops
Facebook and other social media platforms will probably have some local buy and sell groups. Keep an eye on them as you may find baby items listed for a fraction of the cost. There are many baby items that you can pick up second-hand much cheaper at charity or thrift shops. However, there are also some items that you will need to buy new such as a crib and car seat for sanitary and safety reasons.
6. Keep A Supply Of Snacks
When you’re pregnant, and after your little one is born, you may notice that you snack much more. Buying snacks as and when you’re hungry can all add up. Instead of buying snacks on the go, bulk buy them cheaper, and keep a supply in a few different places. You’ll probably want to have something crunchy, something sweet and something salty in your snack supply.
7. Meal Prep
Meal planning and meal prep can mean that you save money. Planning your weekly meals leads to less food waste, and if you batch cook some meals for the freezer you can remove the temptation for takeaways. If you’ve got some quick and easy meals in the freezer ready to heat, anytime you don’t feel like cooking, you’ll have an easy meal ready to go.
8. Look For Freebies
Many baby and pregnancy companies offer free trials for some of their products. Make a list of products that you will need such as nappies, nappy cream, bath products, and pads. Look for companies that offer free samples, or free trials. It won’t get you the full supply you’ll need, however, it’s a good way to test out products before committing to any brand or price point.
9. Look For Good Offers
There are many products that end up being cheaper when they’re bought in bulk. Look for products that you’ll use on a daily basis and do the math to work out the cheapest way to buy them. Check other stores, both physical stores, and online stores before you make a purchase. You can also check savings websites for discount coupons, You could check if there are stores that offer discounts if you have or open a store card.
10. Make The Most Of Nesting
Nesting in the later stages of your pregnancy can be used to your advantage. While you’re organising, you can set aside some items that you won’t use, or don’t need. If they’re in good condition, you should consider listing them on second-hand sales websites, and make some money back.
