Your baby is finally here. As a new parent, you are in a daze (because of that lack of sleep). You are going through the motions, overjoyed and numb, trying to learn to live with this little addition. As a new parent, you will hear lots of advice: Sleep when the baby sleeps. Let the baby fall asleep with noise in the other room. Never wake a sleeping baby. (Yes, much about that glorious thing called sleep).
Those are all great mantras, but they don't put dinner on the table or pay the electric bill. That baby is priceless, but your pride and joy costs money, maybe more than you realized -- the money guys say new parents will spend $7,000-$14,600 before that little schmunkin turns two.
That's a lot of diapers...literally. And you will use a lot of diapers. How do you navigate this whole parenting thing, let alone not let it break your piggy bank? When you are sleep deprived or even when you aren't, you may not make the best choices when shopping just because you don't know...you haven't been there and done that. Here are some great budget ideas to keep in mind when buying for baby.
-- Don't buy the cheapest diapers. You may think you are doing a good thing, but actually, you will be throwing away money. Every tushee is different -- some diapers work for some bums and not for others. Find the brand that works for your baby and that choice should not be based on price. When you factor in the impact of repeated side-poop leaks on the couch and extra laundry for soaked pants, those cheapo diapers are not saving you any money.
-- Buy in bulk. When you do discover what diaper you like, buy in bulk. The bigger, the better per diaper price you get. Same goes for when your child first starts solids, rice cereal and the like.
-- Breastfeed if you can. This is a no-brainer. That milk is free. But, as we all know, sometimes breastfeeding doesn't work out. If that is the case, then definitely find the formula that is right of your baby and go to town with coupons and stock up when it goes on sale.
-- Don't pre-buy your wardrobe or your baby's. Whether it is buying eight nursing bras or your daughter's dresses a year ahead of time, you may be throwing money away. Nothing can predict how your nursing will go or when your baby will have growth spurts.
-- Return ASAP. Don't let those unused baby gifts pile up in the corner. Return them and get stuff you will use right now. If you buy something and it doesn't seem to work, take it back and get what you need.
-- Keep extra stuff with you. Keep your car or your baby bag stocked with the essentials. Take a few minutes every time you head out to be sure you have diapers, wipes, binkies, cream, what have you. This will save you from having to do an emergency purchase on the go, which can really dent that budget.
What are your best budget tips for new parents?
I also tell them about Target diapers because those are great for store brand.
Quoting jbyrd898:all great tips! you've got to keep extra stuff in the car!
I made many baby foods with my 2nd. I bought fruits and veggies in season when they were on sale. It saved a good bit! I didn't even buy the Baby Bullet or any of those fancy grinders and containers. I used my food processor and the mini Glad storage containers.
I don't believe in every baby product ut there. like wipe warmers, baby detergeant.
buying in bulk for diapers is good but in food sometimes isnt neccessary
store brands for many things are grt and sometimes better than the more name brands
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- HeatherNYC
on Feb. 22, 2012 at 12:00 AM