months. Budget more for maternity clothes for work than for working out. Buy staple pieces that can function for dif- ferent events and activities. You can also find maternity clothes at some children’s consignment stores. For lounging around the house, baggy sweats and t-shirts are comfortable. AFTER THE ARRIVAL Don’t let diapering a bottom affect your bottom line. If friends ask to give you a shower, con- sider having a diaper shower or make a diaper raffle part of a shower. Guests who bring a package of diapers in addition to their gift are included in a drawing for a prize.
Norris discovered this with her second child. “As first-time parents, we were nervous, so we paid more for the name brand,” Norris says. “I talked to my pedia- trician, and we used the store brand with our second child, and she’s been fine.” Norris says she did a side-by-side compar- ison of the name brand formula with a store brand. “They both had the same ingredients.” Check out consignment sales and stores. The beautiful thing about consignment is that you can get designer and name- brand clothes, gear, furniture, and toys at a fraction of the original cost. Baby items
if you don’t feel deprived. With a smart financial plan in place, pick out an extrav- agant or convenient, time-saving item like a car seat stroller combo, a bottle warmer, a monogrammed diaper bag, or a kids’ sound machine. “The Baby Brezza is amazing,” Lamar says. This product works like a Keurig but with formula. Norris loves the Owlet, a sock baby monitor. Parents track their baby’s sleep patterns on their smart- phone. Norris says it gives her peace of mind. “When Sadie had RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), I knew she was breathing fine.” Zolan recommends Magnetic Me, baby clothing that comes with magnetic fasten- ers instead of snaps. “It makes dressing a baby faster,” she says. “When they are little, they don’t like to get cold.” Babies don’t have to break the bank. With a specific savings plan, you can save a bundle without skimping on the things you love. More Ways to Save If you are looking for additional ways to cut costs, remember little things add up and these ideas can bring big savings over time. -Don’t remove tags. If you don’t use something or it doesn’t fit, you may be able to take it back or consign it for a higher price. -Buy gear that grows with your baby. -Invest in a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. -Don’t buy shoes until your baby walks. -Buy diaper pails that use any trash bag, or throw diapers away in a trash can with a lid. -Specialty diaper pail bags are more expensive. -Buy gender neutral if you plan to have more than one child. -Buy diapers, formula, and wipes in bulk at a wholesale warehouse club. -Don’t buy a lot of bottles until after the baby arrives. You don’t know what the baby will prefer. -Breastfeed or pump if you are able to. -Make your own baby food. -Host a swap party. -Check out freecycle.com, a place to give away or find items you need for free.
are outgrown so quickly that they are usually in good shape even if they are used. And once your baby is fin- ished with an item, you can consign it. Consignment shops usually let patrons choose to receive cash
Amazon has a group gift- ing feature that allows expectant moms to set up a diaper fund. Friends
“Babies don’t have to break the bank. With a specific savings plan, you can save a bundle without skimping on the things you love.”
and family give to the fund and the money is loaded on to the expectant parents’ gift card balance.
or store credit for the items they sell and sweeten the pot by giving a higher amount for in-store credit. Find high-end baby clothing on the cheap. Wait until the end of the season and buy for the next year to get upscale or design- er clothing at rock bottom prices. If your child outgrows the size you buy before the next year, you can always consign the items or regift to another expectant parent. Check out Facebook Marketplace to buy boutique baby clothes for less. Swap babysitting. Even the cost of paying a neighborhood teen has increased dramatically. Trade babysitting with another couple and you can still enjoy a night on the town without the expense of childcare. This also helps your baby to feel comfortable with other adults, which can be a game changer in case of an emergency if you don’t have family that lives close by. Invest in an item that’s worth the splurge. You’re more likely to stick to your budget
Sikedra Lamar, mom to Ailani, used this strategy. “I like the diaper fund be- cause I can buy diapers as I need them,” Lamar says. Brooke Norris, mom to Wyatt and Sa- die, suggests having shower guests put a sticky note on diaper gifts labeling where the diapers were purchased in case you need to return for amdifferent size. Disposable diapers like organic, plant- based, or chlorine-free can be pricey. Try a diaper subscription to cut down on costs if you want these specialty diapers. It’s okay to be frugal when it comes to formula. Breast milk is free and has tremendous nutritional benefits, but it doesn’t work out for every mom. Save on formula without skimping on what your baby needs. If you buy a name brand, go to the company website and sign up for coupons and online deals. Ask your doctor for free samples and ask other moms for samples they don’t want. Keep in mind that all baby formula is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to meet certain nutritional requirements.
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