New mom-to-be: Tips to save $$$$

[SouthShoreGirl]

I think I know the pretty obvious ones, but just looking to share with what some of you have done/are doing.

I am not planning to breast-feed, and will probably have to secure childcare for at least a couple days per week.

Discuss!!

[lucille]

Find an off brand of diapers that actually work. Make your own baby food, at least the veggies. Canned or cooked frozen veggies and a stick blender. Find a kids resale store like "Once Upon a Child" that gets their stock from a swanky neighborhood, better quality second hand kids clothes and they are usually close to the same price as used ones from Walmart or Old Navy.

[kav122]

Hit the garage sales now. You can sometimes find (especially less than 12months) a bunch of clothes and buy them all for 5 bucks or so. Then get rid of the ones you don't want.

Wait to buy a bouncy and a swing and a this and a that until you really think you need it. Better yet, have girlfriends that have babies bring it (whatever contraption you think you *might* need) over to your house. Try it for a day. Some babies don't like those things.

Buy a quality dresser--not a changing station. Find a little cradle mattress and put it on top. It is pointless to buy something that you will only use the "changing" part for a few months (the kids grow so quick that their heads bang on the corners after a while.

Do cloth diapers. We didn't and are kicking ourselves now. Ask for them at the baby shower. They have awesome ones with velcro and covers. Seriously!!

Start getting child care situation clarified now. You'd be surprised at how many places need a year's notice.

Don't buy toys! You will get plenty or pick them up at sales. All a baby needs is you.
And speaking of toys, you don't have to get stuff that spins and sings and whatever. Hearing Beethovan is not going to make your kid graduate first from Harvard. Get the classics. My boy loves simple toys--plus they get to use their imagination.

I had a friend make my announcements and she left a space for the picture and the specs (size, weight, time). I had them all ready to go when it was time.

When you get really close to the date, go to the grocery store and buy what you will need for several months. My husband is a great guy, but I didn't want to go and he didn't know what I meant by "egg noodles" or anything else that wasn't BASIC BASIC BASIC.

Oh, yeah, off subject, but clean when you feel like it while you are pregnant. Safely, of course, but you probably will go through that nesting stage, and you can really get some stuff done.

Like someone else said, make your own baby food. What a waste of money not to!!! So much money for a little can of applesauce when a BIG jar is in the next aisle for a LOT less.

Get your kid started drinking WATER when the doctor says that's ok. We don't give our kid juice (ONCE in a huge while) or tea or soda and people always comment on the fact that he will drink water. Um, yeah, when you give it to them, they will drink it.

Speaking of that, once they get a little older: make ONE dinner. Grown up food? They don't like it? Fine. Cover it with a napkin or put it in the fridge and let them go play. When they come back 30 minutes later--voila!! Dinner. I bet you they will eat it.

Kids books? Go to church or garage sales. Ridiculous prices.

Buy only a few "nice clothes" and put them on in the car before you go in somewhere nice (with our dirt-magnet we have to, anyway). You don't want to have to worry about them "messing something up." Put them in old clothes and let them mess away.

If I think of more I will post them, have fun!!!

[misscas]

Check frugalbabe.com and thesimpledollar.com. Both a financial website writers who have young children. Check out bumgenius one-size cloth diapers. 12 for $200 with free shipping from some websites. You need 24 bare minimum. They fit birth through 35 lbs. My friend spends $40 a week for diapers. If you potty train at 2.5 years, that's $4800 for one child. Cloth diapers can be reused on your later children or resold for just less than you paid for them.

Look into homemade baby food. I would give breast feeding a try. You may want a pump since you will be using day care. You will have to carry a small cooler to work for your milk because it's illegal to put it in the communal fridge. This is totally free.

Check out craigslist.com for listings for cheap lots of baby clothes and baby furniture and accessories. Freecycle.org is another good site to advertise on for free baby needs.

Goodwill has $1.10 an item sales sometimes and you can pick up baby clothes for next to nothing. Also check out citywide garage sale days for lots of cheap toys and clothes.

For more info, read "The Complete Tightwad Gazette". Amy D. raised a family of 8 on less than $30k a year, owned her own house on 7 acres and owned at least 2 cars outright. She also didn't work and stayed home with the children. The info is a little dated but the ideas are timeless.

Give being a stay at home mom a trial with your husband and a calculator. By the time you pay for lunches, clothes, dry cleaning, gas, car expenses/bus pass and day care, you may have very little to take home. If you are planning on working to have time with adults, consider staying home for the first 3 years and then you can put your little one in pre-k and work while he/she is in school.

[kav122]

Originally Posted by misscas

You will have to carry a small cooler to work for your milk because it's illegal to put it in the communal fridge.

WHAT?!? I need to see some proof of this. I just don't believe it. I stored mine in the communal fridge. I think you must be mistaken. If it is true, then it is a sad day in America.

[SouthShoreGirl]

I have already decided I do not want to breastfeed. That's a personal choice that no one is going to talk me into. Staying home is NOT an option either. We live in probably one of the most costliest areas on the East coast. My husband is self-employed, so we rely on my job for the health insurance. He just couldn't swing the $1200.00+ it would cost for health insurance if I were to stay home. Thanks for the tips though. Keep'em coming!

[ragdoll]

I know you don't want to be bullied about breastfeeding, but it is absolutely the best way to feed your baby, both for his health and his emotional wellbeing and feeling of security. Talk about frugal too! The milk is always available and always at the right temperature. You don't have to buy any bottle-feeding gadgets. You'll save tons in both money and sanity, too, when your child is super-healthy and doesn't catch every nasty bug going around.
Please know I am not bullying, just suggesting these in love as a Christian friend and a big believer in breastfeeding. I never would have used cloth diapers, though I know they would have saved a ton of money. You're right, it's all about personal decisions.

Anyway, a big mistake I made was thinking that my baby needed so much "stuff", like a swing that he ended up not liking and a new toy every time I went to the store. Also, don't buy a lot of baby soap, lotion, detergent, or wipes before he is born. My baby ended up being allergic to a lot and we had to try several soaps, shampoos, detergents, and wipes before we found the best ones for his skin.

Remember there is so much you can do with baby that doesn't require money spent: games, singing, reading aloud, taking walks, etc.

Good luck and God bless!

[SouthShoreGirl]

Ragdoll (and anyone else): I think we are going to have to strongly agree to disagree about the breastfeeding thing. Please, let's move on from the subject. I've spoken my piece and I am not about to go back and forth about the topic anymore. I disagree that it's "absolutely the best".

[kav122]

wow! This thread has taken a turn!

I just want to say that no one (especially new mothers) like to be told that their "way" is not right, and ssg said in the beginning that she was not planning on breastfeeding.
Anyone that wants to talk about its plusses and minuses can start a thread on that topic.

However, ssg, this is a great lesson on being a mom! I was in the grocery store, at the bank and even at church when I got *unsolicited* advice on things that I was doing "wrong." Don't let it bother you, they don't mean any harm. Women get around little babies or new mothers and their mothering instincts just kick into high gear and they want to help you raise the best kid possible--even if that means stepping on your toes. I have read in some parenting magazines little snide remarks to say to these people, but I totally disagree! Even if you disagree with it, just say "thanks" and move along. There might or might not be truth in it, but it never hurts to get different opinions.

Smile, everyone, it's a beautiful day!

[ragdoll]

SouthShoreGirl, again I apologize. As my friend, who is most definitely NOT a believer in breastfeeding, says, "That's why God gave man a mind to invent a bottle, a nipple, and formula!" Amen! Absolutely! God has equipped all of us in so many ways to be good mothers.

As kav122 mentioned, I guess moms just like to say, "This is what worked best for me!" (It's the same instinct that causes women to tell their labor and delivery stories to first-moms!)

When it comes time for your baby shower(s) make sure you give lists of stuff you really need to both your family and your husband's family. They will be more than glad to supply your needs.

Good luck and God bless!