It's super-easy to get caught up in the moment and spend thousands of dollars on baby stuff. After all, you want nothing but the best for your little angel. The problem is that baby product manufacturers know that first-time parents are all high on emotions. They know that new or would-be parents won't hesitate to swipe their platinum credit cards to buy things their babies would probably never need.
This is why it's really important to pause for a bit to calm the urge of impulse shopping. Remember that this is just the first of a series of expenses that you need to bear. There is also little to no wiggle room when it comes to hospital expenses and medical care.
Raising a child definitely costs money, but there are ways to trim down the unnecessary expenses. Without further ado, the following are 7 smart ways to save money when preparing to welcome a new baby.
Read Up: To separate the essentials from the nonessentials it's important to do your research. The best place to start is parenting blogs such as Wemomslife.com. Checkout baby product reviews so that you don't end up buying something that's not practical. Also, join parenting forums and don't be afraid to ask basic questions. These forums are often crowded with veteran moms eager to help out newbie parents.
Refrain from Buying Too Many Clothes: It's common sense to not buy too many baby clothes because babies have sudden growth spurts. What you can do is follow a 3:2:1 ratio when buying clothes. That means for every 3 clothes you buy for the baby's current size buy 2 clothes of the next size and 1 clothing item that's two sizes larger. Also, instead of buying pants and tops separately, it makes sense to buy onesies. These are extremely easy to put on and are usually pretty affordable.
Don't Rush to Buy Shoes: Think about it, does your baby really need multiple shoes before it even learns how to walk. Cover your baby's foot with soft baby socks or booties. That's all you need before your baby learns how to walk.
Don't Buy Strollers Online or Before the Baby is Born: Much like cars, strollers need to be test driven. Go to a baby store to test out multiple strollers after your baby is born. There have been instances where parents had to give away their strollers because their babies didn't adjust well to them. Once you find a stroller model you and your baby like, you can either hunt for discounts online or buy the stroller directly from the store. Either way, you don't end up buying a useless stroller.
Save Money on Diapers: Buying diapers make up for the bulk of the total expense required to care for a baby, at least the first few years. The first thing you need to know is that you should never pay sticker price for a pack of diapers. There are pharmacies and supermarkets that charge you full price and they should never be considered unless it's a diaper emergency. Considering the number of diapers most parents have to buy, it makes sense to look around a bit to compare prices. Start by comparing prices diaper prices online. Once you get the best price on the type of diaper you want to buy, it's time to hit the stores. Costco is a good place to start as they often offer heavy discounts. If you get a great discount don't be afraid to buy in bulk. Also, don't shy away from store brand diapers. These are usually pretty affordable and they are just as good as regular diaper brands.
Breastfeed to Save Money: It's a known fact that breastfeeding is the best way to supply your baby with all the nutrition it possibly needs. While there are health complications that often force mothers to stop breastfeeding, it's something that should be done for as long as possible. Buy an electric or manual breast pump to keep your baby's meals ready. By simply delaying the shift from breastmilk to formula, you should be able to save a significant amount of money. What's more important that it will boost your baby's immunity and overall health.
Quickly Transition from Baby Formula to Doctor-Recommended Home-Cooked Meals: Baby food is generally expensive and unlike diapers, they are almost never available at heavily discounted rates. Speak to your baby's pediatrician for home cooked recipes. It's usually as easy as mashing boiled veggies, rice, and fruits.
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