According to a poll conducted by Scotiabank in 2013, parents on average spend roughly under $5000 preparing for the arrival of a baby. FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS! That is just insanity. I can think of 5000 other things I would like to spend that money on.
We spent maybe $200 preparing for Monster. How? Well, patience and cunning out-of-the-box style thinking help, a lot. Here are some tips on how to save when grabbing all that baby gear.
1. FORGET UNNEEDED/ UNNECESSARY ITEMS!
I have already posted a list of items you can do without for the first little while and items you don’t even need at all! Check them out! Forgoing these items saves countless amounts of money. I can’t stress how little a newborn needs.
2. HAND-ME-DOWNS!
Luckily, I have a few friends with young boys and a nephew that is eight months older than Monster. Say hello to free clothes out the wazoo! Babies grow out of everything so quickly that most of the stuff you come by will be fresh and some might have never even been worn! We already have a huge vacuum-seal bag of clothes Monster is too big for and he’s only four months!
3. JOIN ONLINE COMMUNITIES/GROUPS
Social media is a perfect way to connect with parents in your area. You can easily search for parent groups and sharing communities loaded with moms trying to offload their baby clutter. It is easy to find free baby stuff if you just spend some time looking. You can easily prepare for your child’s first year!
Don’t be afraid of used stuff.
4. DON”T GET SUCKED INTO HYPE
You don’t need a fancy stroller that folds itself. You don’t need the latest new baby gadgets either… Women for centuries raised babies on practically nothing, and realistically, your baby doesn’t care if they’re in a top-of-the-line crib with a fancy video monitor.
5. GET CREATIVE!
You don’t need a bassinet or a co-sleeper when you can easily turn your crib into a bedside co-sleeper! It is initiative like that that will save you hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars.
Repurposing items is the best way to avoid not only the crazy amount of clutter that comes with baby gear, but also having to reach deep into your pockets.
6. BE REALISTIC
If you are luck enough to have a baby shower, or supportive people that want to help you out, ask for realistic items. Clothes and toys are not important and can be attained easily, so ask for items like toiletry kits (they usually include thermometers, brushes, nail clippers, ect.), soaps, lotions, diaper cream, and all the other little things that seem like nothing purchases, but yet add up so quickly.
For our baby shower I asked that everyone bring a book instead of a card. That way it was practical. Now we have a stack of amazing books with some sweet messages for him in there. Some that have even brought me to tears.
Have a few friends go in on a big gift together. Think about the things you NEED, rather then the have-to-have items.
7. BREASTFEED
If you can. Some women face many challenges when learning to breastfeed, but if you are determined, it can be done. There are many alternatives, like pumping or donated breast milk, that are better options than costly formula feeding. Healthier, affordable options. Try them out before you give up and switch to formula. Encourage the women around you to do the same.
8. CLOTH DIAPER
People have a strange view on cloth diapering. Let me just say that it is cost effective and I wouldn’t have gone with any other option. Start off by buying used diapers and a variety of types. Figure out what works best for you and slowly buy more of them.
Again, there are many groups and communities where you can find reasonable prices on used, but great condition, diapers. Some women are insane and think they can sell their diapers for as much or just under what they paid for them. I don’t agree with that.
When it comes to it, you’re obviously going to want to buy new diapers if you’re going to pay retail, or just under retail price. So look around. Negotiate. If you put in the effort you will find a nice stash for a reasonable price. I found a stash of 25 all-in-ones for 30 bucks!
Yeah they needed some TLC and sunning, but they’re a great buy and it was a steal! 30 dollars for a child’s diapering career is amazing compared to the thousands people spend on disposables. And the Earth will thank you too.
9. SECOND HAND SHOPS
After exploring all other options, whatever you can’t find for free you can find at second-hand shops, although watch out for those cunning people that are trying to charge you $200 for a used stroller or pretty much a used anything… Don’t be fooled.
10. PATIENCE
Rome wasn’t build in a day. Start early in your pregnancy and ask friends to keep a look out for these things too. If you spend the time and put in the effort you can achieve a cost-effective preparation without any hassle. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, because other mothers are understanding and if you find someone who has a child a little older than yours, don’t be afraid to ask if they have certain things you still are looking for.
Many people don’t know how to get rid of their stuff and it ends up collecting in crawl spaces and basements. If you ask about it, they will probably jump for joy at the opportunity to pass it along.
Stay positive. You can do it if you really want to! Save your money for a vacation, because you’re going to need one after tending to the needs of a newborn! Check out the link in the first paragraph, it has some good budgeting tips!
SmASHeD Phoenix 