Let’s face it; having children is an expensive endeavor. It makes sense that the cost associated with bringing a new human into the world is astronomical as some major purchases such as food, clothing and a crib are unavoidable. If you have budgeted for the arrival of your first child you may be feeling a bit strapped for cash; so, here are a few ideas as to how you can save a little extra without skimping on the necessities.
Baby Clothing
Especially if you live in a cold climate, there is no way around the need to put clothing on your baby. In the first few years of your child’s life, you will need to acquire new outfits for him or her constantly, as these are the years of very rapid growth. Buying second-hand and trading with friends are great ways to avoid breaking the bank for new outfits every few weeks. There are some great high quality brands of baby clothing out there such as Marquise and Bonds, so even if the clothing has exchanged hands a few times, it will still be in good condition. When you are finished with the clothes, you can donate them or give them to friends. You can even make a small return on them by dropping them at a baby consignment store and have someone sell them for you.
Maternity Wear
There is no need to spend an arm and a leg on clothing you will only wear for a few months. Check out one of the many second hand shops that carry a variety of maternity clothing to choose from. When you are finished with them, be sure to donate them back so that someone else can benefit!
Diapers
Buying disposable diapers is one of those hidden costs that add up over time. Babies go through a massive amount of diapers in their first few years of life, and you will find yourself constantly going to the store to buy more. By using reusable cloth diapers instead, you will not only save a small fortune but you will also be doing a favor to the environment at the same time.
Toys and Books
From the baby to the toddler stage, your child will want lots of toys of a large variety to play with. You can provide this at a minimal cost to you just through buying toys second-hand. Trading with your friends is also a great way to totally update your child’s toy collection at no cost to you. The same is true for children’s books: as your child gets older, they will want to read new and different books. Used books are great as children’s stories never go out of style and timely classics will get circulated over and over again!There are plenty of ways you can save money when your first child arrives; you just need to be creative. Make connections with other parents with young children and create a network of sharing and passing along baby items, and watch your savings grow!