While a welcome addition to most families, babies can be expensive. In addition to prenatal care and birth expenses, parents will also be faced with the costs of actually caring for their new child. Bottles, blankets, bibs, booties and everything else babies require can really add up over time. How can parents ensure their babies have what they need and keep costs in check? Reuse!
If you have a lot of money to spare, you may want to buy new. If you don’t, you may want to go the used route. Either way, you need to keep in mind that babies don’t need everything. There are a ton of baby products available, but not all of them are necessary. Focus on the essentials and consider reusing what you can to stay on budget.
Diapers are essential for babies. While you can’t reuse disposables, you can most certainly reuse cloth diapers. No, cloth diapers are not as convenient as disposable diapers, but they will save you a ton of money. Instead of dropping them into the trash, you simply wash them, fold them and prepare to use them again.
Along with diapers, your baby will need some clothes. You will probably receive several sets of clothing as gifts, but beware: Babies grow fast. To keep your budget in check, you might want to go the used route and shop consignment shops, flea markets and yard sales. You can find cheap clothing in good condition, some of it with the price tags still attached. You might also check with friends and family members with babies. They might be willing to donate their babies’ old clothing to you.
If only diapers and clothing were all babies needed, but they aren’t. Babies need a wide range of items from beds to bottles to blankets. You can purchase most everything a baby needs used. Again, consignment shops, flea markets and yard sales are your best bet. Don’t discount friends and family with young children, however. Should someone offer you their baby’s old things, take them. That pile of lavender blankets may not exactly scream boy, but your little guy won’t care as long as he’s warm. Whatever you choose to reuse, make sure you wash and sanitize it.
Occasionally, you may have to buy new. Don’t panic. You can probably find what you need for less. The trick is to clip coupons and shop sales. You might be able to afford that stroller you’ve had your eye on with a 20 percent off coupon at a 20 percent off sale.
Babies do need stuff but you don’t have to go broke buying it. Go the used route when possible, shop for bargains when not, and your pocketbook will thank you.
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