Ten Money-Saving Tips For New Parents

I’m now a mother to three children and have learned what you really need for babies (spoiler alert – it’s not a whole lot).  However, there’s more to being a frugal parent than just foregoing some of the more-extravagant items on baby-registry lists.  Here are a few easy ways to avoid the learning curve and start saving money with your first child:

1.  Plan Ahead For Medical Co-Pays – Calculate your out-of-pocket expenses ahead of time, instead of just waiting for the bills to arrive.  If possible, plan ahead by signing up for an insurance plan that will cover the most of your pregnancy and child-birth expenses.  Look into opening up a Health Savings Account, so you can make small contributions over time and earn interest.  Then, when the bills arrive, you have the funds ready.  Note: most hospitals will charge two co-pays, one for you and one for the baby (they become a patient too).

2.  Buy Used – While there are some items (ex. bottles and pacifiers) that should be purchased new, most of what you need for a new baby can be found on Craigslist or at consignment and garage sales.  I have found great deals on a crib, dresser, and glider – all of which be quite expensive if purchased brand new.

3.  Stock Up On The Bigger Sizes – First of all, don’t buy many items in newborn sizes.  You can skip right to 0-3 months with most babies.  Also, friends and family will gift you with clothing, usually in size 0-3 months or 3-6 months.  You’re better off purchasing the bigger sizes items, later, when you actually need them.

4.  Buy Neutral Items – The “Handsome” and “Princess” onesies are cute, but make sure to grab neutral items if you might have any more children.  I recommend shopping in the boys section, even if you’re having a girl.  Plain white boys t-shirts can be used with either sex, but you probably don’t want to use a shirt with lace and frilly details for a boy.  I was fortunate to have a boy first, so I can reuse a lot of his clothing for the younger sister.  I think Tornado actually looks really cute in things like her brother’s camouflage pants, with girly pigtails.

5.  Skip the Complete Bedding Sets – The bedding sets can be very expensive and contain numerous items that you don’t need.  One example is the crib bumpers.  Many parents are heeding warnings not to use traditional bumpers, but the sets still include them.  You are better off just purchasing the individual pieces that you will actually use: like a sheet and blanket.

6.  Stock Up At The Hospital – After the baby is born, they will travel in a little plastic bed, on top of a metal cabinet with wheels.  Inside that cabinet are a bunch of baby supplies that you are expected to take home with you.  I bring an extra bag to the hospital with me for these items.  Some people might go so far as to suggest emptying out all of the diapers each time the baby comes back from the nursery.  The nurses will keep refilling the cabinet.  You will also be able to grab some wipes, shampoo, and a little comb.  Definitely bring home the nose-sucker bulb; you simply can’t find a better one in any store.

7.  Don’t Buy The Expensive Diapers or Use Cloth Diapers – I must admit to not using cloth diapers, because we’ve fallen into a routine with the disposable diapers.  There are many guides out there for using cloth diapers to save a considerable amount of money.  Even with the disposable diapers, you don’t need the expensive ones.  I have found that Luvs work great for us.  And by using Swagbucks to earn Amazon gift cards, we have not had to pay for any diapers in over a year.

8.  Breastfeed (if you can) – Granted, not everyone is physically capable of breastfeeding, and it can be tricky and painful at first.  Moms constantly debate about the purported benefits of breastfeeding.  But you just can’t disagree with the fact that breastfeeding is much cheaper than buying formula.

9.  Check Whether Your Health Insurance Covers Breast Pumps – If you do decide to breastfeed, having a pump is necessary if you plan to ever be away from your baby for more than a couple of hours.  More and more insurance companies are providing at least partial coverage for breast pumps, so it can’t hurt to check.  If not covered, this is another item that can be purchased used.  You can get great deals on used pumps and just buy new accessories (the pieces that will actually touch your milk).

10.  Only Use Diaper Pails For The Smelly Ones – You don’t necessarily need a special container for dirty diapers, but they can be helpful.  Otherwise, poopy diapers will need to be tied up in plastic bags and taken outside to keep your home from smelling (yes, they can get very stinky).  The problem with these containers isn’t so much the initial cost (you will probably get one at your baby shower) but more so the expensive refill bags.  If you do have a diaper pail, it’s likely placed right next to the changing table, for convenience.  But instead of depositing every single diaper in it, only use it for the poopy ones.  Wet diapers can be tossed in another garbage and shouldn’t create any noticeable smell.

Bonus Tip:  Have more children!  You already have the supplies, so go ahead and reuse them, LOL 🙂

Babies can be expensive, but only if you choose to spend a lot of money on them.  There are plenty of ways to keep your costs down, so you can enjoy newborn snuggles without being stressed out about your credit card balances.