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Diapers, Binkies and Bills: Part I

Blog | March 6th, 2012

A new addition to the family is a miraculous thing. Of course, the bubbly eyes, belly giggles, wonderment in their new world and unconditional love for you don’t come without a price. You’re in for sleepless nights, messy diapers and, without a doubt, stacks of bills that seem to pile up faster than baby wipes. Fear not! By following some of these tips, you can reduce the cost of this new bundle of joy. Now if only we could help you with those sleepless nights and messy diapers. Here’s part one of two, where we’ll cover some ways to save up until you take your newborn home.

Spread the Word!

Of course, this won’t be hard. You’re sure to be telling everyone that you’ll be adding a new member of the family; it’s exciting! However, letting your close friends and family know can also end up saving you money. Do you have a friend who has recently had a child of his or her own? Their advice can be invaluable. They will know what worked best and what they would do differently, and can help you plan for your own baby. Also, you might be able to borrow a crib, high chair or any other items you’ll need from someone with children who have outgrown the need for them.

Clothes Conscious

            Cute little shoes, cute little dresses, cute little pajamas! Easy… Before you go and buy every adorable item you want to see your son or daughter in, take some time to think frugally about what clothes to get. You’ll want to be prepared with some comfy clothes for your new child, but there are ways to save. First, don’t buy seasonal clothes too far in advance. That winter coat would look so charming, yes, but he or she may very well outgrow it before the temperature drops. Next, try to buy clothes in unisex colors. Right now you may not be planning for another baby, but the world has a way of changing minds. The pink, girly, flowery dress will hardly work as a thrifty hand-me-down if a son comes along. Talk about embarrassing baby pictures…

            As a general rule of thumb, always keep in mind that your little tyke will grow (a lot, and quickly). Don’t buy name brand just so you can feel like a good parent. It’s safe to say that the baby won’t care if there’s a Nike “Swoosh” on his or her shirt.

Time for a Baby!

            Congratulations! You’re a mom! Now before your relax too much, there are some ways to save without even leaving the hospital. First, you might want to hold off on the extra services offered. While you’re recuperating, you may be offered television services for an additional cost. You’ll probably find it unnecessary, as you’ll be much more entertained by your new son or daughter than by a rerun marathon of M*A*S*H*. You might also want to reconsider paying for a private room. These can cost quite a bit of money and, with the amount of time you’ll be sleeping, is probably unneeded. You’ll be up and out of there in no time!

            Also, before you take your infant out the door and into the world for the first time, ask you nurse or doctor for samples. They often have trial products from manufacturers, but the nurses are very busy and may not remember to offer their stash of samples to you.

            If you have a new baby, that means you have plenty on your mind. You’ll thank yourself later, though, if you can save some money throughout this process. Look forward to the second part of Diapers, Binkies and Bills where we’ll explain some ways to save money as you raise your new little one.