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...of Creative
Frugality
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Creatively
Frugal
Pregnancy
How do you save money as you
and your spouse prepare to be new parents?
"How to save money on
maternity/baby stuff...
Maternity
* Shop for maternity clothes at consignment shops.
* Try to buy everything so it will mix and match; a few pairs of pants
and a few tops can go a long way!
* Borrow from friends, accept hand-me-downs, you can always wear them
around the house, if not to work.
Baby
* Don't read any prepping for baby lists prepared by baby supply
stores; they overestimate because it's good for business.
* Accept hand-me-downs. It's amazing how many sleepers and onesies you
can go through. Not all of them have to be the perfect color or style
-- only a few for going out.
* Use cloth diapers! I'm still using all the same supplies from
my first child, so I'm diapering my 2nd child for free! Using
disposable diapers and
wipes will cost at the minimum $1/day for at least 2 years, and that
is the bare minimum! Cloth diapers and flannel wipes can be used for
as little as
$100/2 years! Note: spend a little more on some diaper service
quality pre-folds from an online source. The ones in the stores are
only good
for burp cloths. Check out my website at
http://www.mommylinks.com/babytoddler/diapers.html
for some great online sources.
* Definitely definitely use flannel wipes. They work incredibly well.
Use just water, so no chemicals on your baby's skin, and save big
bucks. Your
alternative is either using cheap disposable wipes that don't do the
job or use the premium "cloth-like" wipes at $4/box. I made
tons of flannel wipes by just cutting out 7x9 inch rectangles from
some cute flannel (when folded they fit in most wipe boxes) and
serging the edges with a borrowed serger. Just throw used ones to
soak in water in a bucket with a lid (make sure it
fits tight so your baby can't get into it), and wash them every few
days to once a week. If you run the wipes through a rinse cycle
first, there's no
reason why you can't wash them with your regular baby clothes.
* Don't buy every toy or contraption that you think your baby will
need. The vast majority of toys might be amusing for a week or two.
It's better to
talk to experienced moms and see what their babies liked best. And
maybe even borrow their toys! Most toys can be washed if you
need to.
Just a few hints from a mom of 2, hope they help!" ~ Kayla - Find
what you need at MommyLinks - http://www.mommylinks.com
"As the wife of a young Air
Force officer, my cousin lived in Alaska, where prices were very
high. She told me that when she was pregnant, instead of buying
maternity panties, she used her old bikini underwear.
There are several other really
good tips using household items for baby items, etc., in
the Tightwad Gazette series of books by Amy ( The "Frugal
Zealot") Dacyczyn (I think that's how you spell it...) That
lady had several children, including twins, and has a wealth of
information." ~ LB
"I think most parents would save a lot of money if they only
knew that much of what is advertised as 'gotta-haves' you really
do not need. Two things we NEVER needed: 1.) a crib (may not work
for all, but we co-slept with our children and used a Moses basket
or the carseat during the day for naps if they were not in the
sling/Baby Björn
carrier); and 2.) baby wipes (we bought 2 dozen soft washcloths
and sewed cloth hooks on them, hung up one for bottom and one for
face over the
changing area, laundered them frequently--still using them six
years later). We used cloth diapers (except for outings)--saved a
lot of money using them for two and much easier than expected. We
also made our own baby food--there are many books on this, check
the library. Also, while it is nice to have some special new
things for your baby, they do grow so quickly that used clothing
and hand-me-downs are a big money saver. We also buy
seasonal clothes in bigger sizes on clearance the season before
they need them. Babies do not need a lot of fancy toys and
are usually happiest with regular household objects
(a pot to bang on, plastic cups to roll, etc.) Finally, a huge
money- and time-saver: breastfeed your baby as long as
possible!" ~ Bee
"My
sisters and I have a system that works very well. We call
it the 'Whoever Needs It Next' plan. We shop yard sales,
thrift shops, clearance racks, and accept all hand-me
-downs graciously. We bargain shop not only for our own
children, but each other's as well. The key is being
organized. I can call her and say, 'I need the 3T boys
box' and she'll say, 'I need the 24 mos. box.' We will
just arrange a trade and end up with a box full of most
everything needed. As our older ones outgrown clothes, we
pack up what can be worn again by the younger ones. Because our
families are complete, we pass on all clothes that are too small
for our children. It has really been a blessing to us and
others as well!" ~ Amy
B. NC
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"I'm pregnant again with my second
child (long awaited and already much-loved!).
I have been searching thrift stores for cheap second-hand maternity
clothes. Often you will only find one or two good pieces at each
shop, but if you go to a few of them, you will eventually have a
wardrobe. With regard to baby clothes, thrift stores are also a good
option. Again, be choosy! But you will be able to save a lot of
money. Start buying things you will need now also, such as plastic
pants, some disposable diapers for when you're in hospital, nursing
pads or
bottles and formula. Buy one needed item a week and stock up. Keep
an eye out
for sales. Work out what you are going to do about diapers. When I
was pregnant
with our first child, our washing machine broke down. I told my
husband if we got a
good new machine, I would use cloth diapers to pay for it. Also let
grandparents,
etc., know what you need. Often a prospective grandparent wishes to
buy
something to help. Tell them what you need! I got all my cloth
diapers this way,
and my parents were happy to give me something I really needed.
Start a
savings account and put what you can afford in it each week. By the
time the
baby is born, you will have a stockpile of cash for when you will
need it. We
managed to save $1000 during my first pregnancy to use on baby gear
etc. If I
had been practicing the frugal things I do now, we could have saved
a lot more.
So start tightwadding!" ~ Amanda in South Australia
"I don't have any specifics
regarding the pregnancy itself, but there are a number of ways to
save on baby gear. For example, I use all second-hand things and
save big-time!! Go to yard sales, consignment shops, thrift shops,
hit seasonal sales (buying ahead) in regular stores, shop through
Buy/Trade/Sell magazines or classified ads, etc. If you have
friends that aren't using their things, often they're glad to
loan them or give them to you (or you can offer to buy them at
little cost)." ~ Kathy in Stephens City, VA
"
"Save your baby and maternity items until you are past the age of
childbearing or have your tubes tied! I had 2 children close
together in my twenties, was totally stressed, said that was it
and got rid of most of my items. Then at 34 we decided to have
another. We had to replace, as frugally as possible, all clothing and
some baby items. Well, at 34 and 42 we knew that was it and again I
consigned all my maternity items and baby clothes. Now at 38 and 46,
my husband and I want to try for one (last!) child. AND we have to
start all over again!" ~ MJ
"The first thing that comes to mind
in regards to frugal pregnancy is breast feeding. It is free and
the benefits to both mother and baby are numerous.
When I was pregnant for my children I got
most of my maternity clothes from friends and relatives. I did
buy a few things to wear to work from a maternity consignment shop.
In regards to children's clothes I
received many hand me downs from my sister and a close friend.
In addition I always bought clothes at the end of the season for the
next year. I was sometimes able to get two or three years out of
clothes depending upon the size and season. I bought most of
these end of season items at the Carter's Outlet near my home.
The prices are great, the selection large and the quality exceptional.
I purchased the store brand of prenatal
vitamins at Hannaford as they were comparable in quality and much
cheaper than my copay for prescription prenatal vitamins." ~
Tracy in Greenwich, New York
"The best tip I can
give is to avoid those pricey toys. Look at them, analyze them, but
don't buy them and especially not new. Several reasons:
you will receive them as gifts, you will be able to get them at garage
sales, they grow out of them fast. Novelty is the key to what a
baby/toddler wants. Novelty can look like a pan lid, a wooden spoon,
or whatever you have in your hands." ~ Ellen
Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share
his or her ideas!
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