Babies are a bundle of joy. However, it can also cost quite a bundle to raise one as well. When you consider the cost of clothes, food, toys, cribs and baby gear, diapers and miscellaneous items, the numbers quickly add up. Fortunately, there are several smart ways of saving money with a new baby and shopping sensibly for baby gear can help new parents manage their budget easily and effectively. Here are some money-saving tips for babies.
Buy Cheap Baby Clothes to Save Money
Cheap doesn’t translate into poor quality. It just means that when your little one grows at the speed of light, you don’t end up feeling bad that the 7 brand-new outfits that you bought are now either too small or too tight. There are plenty of places to buy good quality yet cheap baby clothes. Consignment stores, Craigslist, Freecycle, eBay are a few options. Moreover, it is a good idea not to buy too many clothes in the same sizes. Buy different sizes or ask friends and relatives who want to gift baby clothes to buy varying sizes to fit baby as he grows.
Homemade Baby Food is Healthier and Cheaper
Store bought, branded baby food may be convenient but it is also expensive. In addition, you’re never really sure about what’s going into those jars. Making your own baby food is healthier and cheaper. In fact, with just a little bit of planning, making baby food at home can be just as convenient as bottled food. To begin with, you’ll just need to boil the veggies and whiz them in a blender. As baby grows, you can experiment with tastes and textures and introduce your little one to a variety of fruits and vegetables and also to regular food cooked at home.
Cloth Diapering is Eco-Friendly and Economical
Again, while disposable diapers may seem convenient, the cost of diapering a baby in disposables can quickly add up. Cloth diapers on the other hand provide new moms and dads with an eco-friendly, inexpensive option. There is a huge variety of cloth diapers, liners and covers available and a complete diaper stash should not cost you more than $300-$400. Disposable diapers, however, will set you back by nearly $3000-$4000! Plus, you can reuse cloth diapers for baby number 2 or 3 or even resell the diapers and covers on eBay or Craigslist.
Join a Toy Library or Organize a Toy Swap
A toy library is a great way to save money on expensive playthings for baby. Most toy libraries are community programs that have a small cover charge and give you the facility of picking a toy each week. This also helps you to decide whether a toy is worth buying or not. The USATLA or USA Toy Library Association has a list of locations for libraries.
Toy swaps can be held with a group of family members and friends who have similar-aged babies and toddlers. Everyone can bring a toy or two in good condition and swap it with another toy they like.
Sensible Sale Shopping
Sales on baby products can be a great way to save money on must-have or essential purchases. However, it is important not to get swayed by the discounts offered and only buy products that baby really needs, is ready for and will use for a considerable period of time. For instance, if your five-month old does not have a high chair, a sale is a great time to invest in one.
Moreover, there are plenty of baby products that you may not even need or use for baby, so when shopping for baby, do make a list and go over it with a friend or relative who has babies. Simple tips like these will help you to stay within your budget and save money without compromising on quality for your baby.
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