How To Save Money On A Baby
It’s expensive to have a baby, but the rewards are priceless. Saving on your baby’s basic needs can help you save money if you plan ahead and are willing to try different things.
Knowing how to avoid extra costs is an important skill for parents to ensure that their budgets run smoothly so they can spend more time with their children and not be burdened with extra tasks.
How to save money on your babies basic needs
Save on diapers
If you have a baby, you must purchase diapers more often than you would otherwise. Between birth and potty training, an average baby will go through thousands of diapers. There are a few things you can do to lower the cost of diapers and save a lot of money on the basic baby need.
One of the best ways to see is with cloth diapers. Saving money and reducing waste can both be achieved by using reusable diapers. Take advantage of programs such as Amazon Baby Subscribe and Save to save money on diapers and wipes or try a few store brands to find a brand you love for a fraction of the price.
Save on baby clothes
Babies grow out of their clothing very quickly. Therefore, you should avoid paying full price unless you are ordering an outfit for a special occasion or a family photo. Take advantage of hand-me-downs and clearance sales, as well as used clothing stores, to save money on baby clothing. By donating or selling these items you can recoup the cost of baby clothes for yourself and a friend.
One of the best places to best places to buy baby clothes is online where you can easily take advantage of great sales and have to deal with fewer stock issues when shopping for the season ahead.
Only buy what you need
Buying baby gear can be affordable. Buying something you really need should be considered before making a purchase. Many baby “essentials” are items you do not truly need. For example, most families can get along just fine with a swing or a bouncy chair and do not need to buy or find the space for both items in the home.
Most people do not actually use changing tables and can benefit from a basket with a changing pad, and diaper changing supplies in the main rooms of the house for quick and easy diaper changes.
Buy used baby gear
The majority of baby equipment you need is available used for a steep discount. Using this method will help you save money on both large and small purchases. Car seats should never be bought used. If a car seat has been in any kind of accident, even a mild one, the heat of the summer sun can wear down the plastic so it must not be used. New car seats are the best option for this reason.
You can save on your baby’s car seat by using a convertible seat instead of an infant bucket seat, which will last from birth until your child is ready to move to a booster seat as a preschooler.
Save on feeding your baby
Breastfeeding can ultimately save you money on your baby’s food costs, but not everyone is qualified to breastfeed. If you or your family must use formula, there are a few great ways to save money. While you are pregnant, many big-name formula companies offer discounts, rewards, and coupons. Saving money on brand-name formulas is a great idea. Giving store brands a try is another way to save money on formula. Some store brands offer the same formula as name brands, but at a lower cost to the parents. This is a great way to save money without sacrificing quality.
If breastfeeding is not off the table, you can mix formula and breastfeeding to save money on formula while still using formula as a convenient option for feeding your baby if you are away from home or simply need a break. There are many ways to save money overall when you breastfeed, and breastfeeding isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition.
Make your own baby food
There are a lot of jars and plastic containers that are wasted when buying baby food. Consider making your own baby food using the fresh fruits and vegetables you feed your family to reduce waste and save money. All you need is a small blender to do this.
If you make more than you need, you can freeze them in ice trays ahead of time. You can save money on baby food by using a self-feeding method instead of pureed foods with baby-led weaning.
Save on child care
Parental expenses for child care are among the most significant. Fortunately, with the right system of support, this cost can be reduced. Use a friend or family member to help you watch your child to save money instead of paying for child care.
You can also reduce childcare costs by working opposite shifts from your partner or finding a job that lets you work from home while caring for your child. During tax season, be sure to take advantage of tax credits for child care.
General money-saving tips for life with a baby’
Shop the sales
Take advantage of sales and do not be afraid to buy products you use a lot. You should pay as little as possible for baby care when it comes to your baby. Baby essentials like diaper creams, wipes, and other everyday items are regularly on sale in many stores. If you stock up during sales you can lower your costs since your baby won’t be able to outgrow these items before they are used.
Use rebates and coupons
You can save money on everyday items for your baby by using rebate and coupon apps. You can take advantage of digital coupons and rebates to save money on your everyday expenses, including baby items, without clipping and organizing paper coupons.
In addition to these digital coupons, paper coupons can also be stacked together to increase your savings. When you print coupons from sites like Swagbucks, you can earn gift cards from rebate apps like ibotta, and check your store’s digital coupons before shopping.
