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Twelve Ways to Save Money on Your Baby Bills
by San Diego Bargain Mama
The cost of having children can dramatically impact new parents. Folks can easily spend far too much in the excitement of it all. Here are some saving strategy reminders collected from several sources to help soften the impact.
- Buy diapers in bulk, either at big box stores or online. Consider cloth diapers and go Green!
- Breast feed your baby; it saves a ton of cash and time, let alone provides great health benefits. Consider speaking with a lactation consultant before giving up.
- Try making your own baby food. You can store the vegetables in small tubs at room temperature and easily whip up a meal, saving you a great deal of money. Many moms blend their food and freeze it in ice cube trays, then take out a couple cubes during mealtime and zap them in the microwave.
- Remember that your investment in cute outfits will last sometimes only two or three wearings. Perhaps limit the adorable temptations to a few outfits for nice outings, and share the standard onesies with your friends as staple attire.
- Consider higher-quality gear as a money saver in the long run, as you might want it to last through more than one child.
- Purchase furniture items like cribs and dressers that evolve as the baby grows (cribs become day beds, or dressers have removable changers).
- Go the frugal route and accept hand-me-downs. Give some, and accept some!
- Try comparison shopping on baby food and/or formula. Believe it or not, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us often have prices lower than your local grocery stores. Some big box stores are starting to carry canned baby food in bulk. Be extra careful to find your best deals on formula (and use coupons), as the prices can vary drastically, and isn't always priced identically in the same chain store that’s in a different location.
- Consider purchasing toys online or at resale shops. Make sure they are close to new, function properly, and work correctly. Also, check to see that they haven’t been recalled.
- Refrain from purchasing the unnecessary "eye candy-type" accessories that appear really adorable, but don’t provide a great function that your other purchases serve.
- Consider shopping at Amazon.com for diapers. They do not charge for shipping.
- Check consumer reports before purchasing a big ticket item, as this tool will help ensure that you purchase a quality item.
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