Kelly Robertson
It is said that first-time parents are the best market in the world. They are the least price sensitive group and are often willing to pay a premium without any logical sense. They are worried and want nothing but best for their little ones. I was like that too, but now I know better.
To help you out, I have prepared a list of 5 ways how to save money during your baby’s first year. I wish someone has told me this before…
1. Check your inventory
This is especially useful for second-time parents who may have kept some of the things their first child used to use/wear. If you’re in that group, pile up all the things your first child used and see what could be re-used.
That old clothing is not really that old considering that your first baby wore it for just a few months, or even weeks. The same goes for other gear like car seat, cloth diapers, and any other accessory that is now sitting in some closet or a garage. It’s time to put it to good use again.
After you see what you already have, it’s time to prepare the list of the things you’re missing and prepare for the next step.
2. Buy used stuff
I understand that many new parents don’t want to buy used stuff. With my first child, I was like that too. Things have changed dramatically when Chris (my baby boy) got his sister. She got many used stuff.
As parents, we were much more relaxed with the second child, and I wish I was like that with the first one, as well. It’s what they call “learning on the job,” if you know what I mean.
The thing is that most used stuff were never that used at all. It’s not just the clothing items we bought used, but also all other gear as long as it was in good condition.
I bought a pile of clothing, a baby swing and a feeding chair — all second hand. I wasn’t that lucky with a stroller as all I’ve looked were overused. So we’ve grabbed new ones, this time opting for the lightest model on the market (so we could carry it more easily). Which leads me to the next section…
3. Make smart purchases
Prepare in advance and be on the lookout for coupons and special deals. The strollers I’ve just mentioned were new, but we’ve got them with a coupon. That’s the kind of attitude you’ll want to have when making any purchase for your baby (and for everything else, for that matter).
Another tip is to subscribe to a diapers service. You can’t beat the offering, and you will be buying diapers anyway. Personally, I love Amazon’s service, but some other diaper subscription service may work just as well. Amazon goes beyond diapers to also include deals on other items you may need. And, unfortunately for many folks, many things they can perfectly live without… Which again leads me to the next part…
4. Less is more
Ask any parent with two kids or more about registry must-have lists and they’ll agree they’re full of crap. I can attest to that, as I was one of the suckers making sure all boxes are ticked on that list, and what do you know — we’ve ended up with many unopened bottles that were thrown away months after buying them.
Also be vary of magazines suggesting new products for babies that more often than not cost a small fortune. You and your baby don’t need extra bedding, fancy diaper bag, shoes, a wipe warmer, and a dedicated baby food processor. The same goes for the bottle sanitizer, which I must admit I have used every day. But again, that was with my first baby — we didn’t have it with our second baby and she turned out just fine.
Babies need basic clothing, breast milk or formula, a place to sleep (nothing too fancy), and a lots of love and patience. You will also need a stroller and a car seat, and that’s pretty much it. Everything else is extra.
However, if you want something extra check out this article: 45 Fantastic Inventions That Make Life Easier for Parents (I like buying some of these product as gifts).
5. Take time to prepare
Pregnancy takes nine months and during that time you can find deals for just about any item your baby will need. No need to rush it.
Consult your friends and registry lists to prepare your own — we suggest minimal — list of items you will buy. Browse around the web and physical stores and subscribe to their newsletters. Then it’s just a matter of waiting to get a deal you’re looking for. This is a surefire way to save money while at the same time being fully prepared for your baby.
And of course, if you have something to add to our list — we’d love to know about it. Drop us a comment, will you? Thanks. 😉
