Children are expensive no doubt about it, but there are ways to minimize the cost without missing out out on anything. Having a baby on a budget is actually possible, and your baby will not notice a difference.
I am the mother of three boys, and I surely remember feeling the anxiety of the cost of having a baby the first time around. Normally I would say save everything from the first baby, but in my case I moved abroad with only a suitcase, so I had to start all over again with my second son. When I returned to the United States, the shipping cost forced us to move with a couple of suitcases once again.
When I became pregnant with my third child, I had figured out how to make having a baby on a low budget possible, and once again I set out to get my baby what he needed without emptying our bank account.
Three keywords to remember are Secondhand, Clearance and Coupons!
Secondhand:
Freecycle:
If you are not already signed up for your local Freecycle list, this will be a good time to start. Check it daily, better yet check it several times daily, as the good stuff goes fast. Make sure to make a nice reply to an item you are interested in, specify a possible pick up time and thank the person for offering the item.
Craigslist:
Craigslist does have a free section, but you can also find some awesome deals on used baby items.
Thrift stores:
Thrift stores are a great place to find the items you are looking for. They might not be free, but you can get a great deal. I often find things at our local thrift store for 1-2 dollars, and then I go to the store and find the same exact item for $20 dollars or more.
Yardsales:
You can often find great deals at yard sales, as the people selling the stuff are ready to get rid of it.
Friends and family:
Friends and family might have things they no longer need. Ask around, offer to pay and you will very likely get an amazing price if not get it for free.
Note: Once you buy certain items such as play yards and car seats used, it is important to check with the company that it has not been recalled.
Clearance:
Don't even think about paying full price, as you will not be wearing maternity clothes for any more than six months, and your baby will grow out of the clothes in a month or two.
Check the clearance aisles at Target, JC Penney, Walmart, Kmart and Kohls. Check the website for coupons, sign up for newsletters and coupons etc. Think ahead a couple of seasons and by winter clothes in January and Summer clothes in August.
Check out online earnings sites to earn gift cards for all of these stores. I have a list of sites that work for me at Frugality is Free.
Coupons:
Sign up for coupons and newsletters. You might as well do it before the baby comes, as coupons will come in handy once the baby arrives. Kohls sends out coupons once you sign up for their newsletter, and JC Penney often offers coupons on their website, or you will get a coupon once you take their survey on your receipt. Wait for the $10 of a $50 purchase, and hit the clearance aisles once you get there.
Sign up for all the baby clubs, as these will come with free items and great coupons. Even if you plan on breast feeding, you can still get a free diaper bag and more, if you sign up for the formula baby clubs.
Once the baby comes you can even call the different companies and request coupons, just let the company know that you would like to try out a product, but that you are hesitant in trying it out at full price.
Buying the store brand diapers and wipes often works just as well, if not better, as the the name brand diapers and wipes.
What other tips do you have to having a baby on a budget?
To see some of the deals and great finds I found my four my baby check out the post The Frugal Baby at Frugality Is Free.
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Comments: 26
Since I breastfed (I highly recommend breastfeeding for saving a TON of money), I didn't have to buy bottles, formula, bottle washers, nipples, cleaning boxes (to put the bottles in your dishwasher), which saved me a ton of cleanup time and about a billion dollars.
Alot of times on the first born, you are able to get alot of stuff via BABY SHOWERS too. Those are always nice.
This time, some of my work insisted on throwing me a shower, even though I told them it wasn't necessary. I told them I didn't need clothes, so I got all the practical stuff--diapers, wipes, A&D and all that good stuff.
Brittney I bet you are all stocked up now:)
I never had a baby shower with either of my kids ( and yes, I do have friends, they just didn't live anywhere near us).
I never had anyone to borrow anything from as my family was far away and none of my friends had kids...they just started having kids a year ago:)