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Having a baby? This may just be the post you've been waiting for. Follow these steps to save a bundle on your bundle:
Step 1: Separate your wants from your needs.
Start with the essentials. Remember that you can always shop AFTER the baby is born. What are the essentials? Think "basic needs:" food, sleep, and safety. Everything else is a want... at least for the first few months. And clothing? People will buy you lots. Trust me.
Examples of essentials (short list, isn't it?):
- crib / co-sleeper (and bedding)
- diapers (cloth or disposable) / wipes
- formula (possibly)
- blankets/swaddling
- breast pump/ bottles, etc.
- car seat (infant or convertible)
- Create a price book. You won't know if you're getting a good deal unless you know what the item usually costs. What is the cheapest non-sale price you can find on the item? Subtract 20%. Try to find the item for that price or less.
- Consumer reviews: Buzzillions.com (more resources here)
- Test drive whatever you can at the store.
- Talk to other parents. Short on opinionated friends? Join mommy message boards (iVillage, theNest, CafeMom, etc.) where folks are happy to tell you what they like.
Readers recommend registering at these stores for their selection and prices: Babies R Us, Target.com, Amazon
.If you have lots of out-of-town family and friends, choosing a store with a free shipping deal or flat rate shipping (good for larger items) is a good idea. Amazon has free shipping on many items when you spend $25 or more. Items sold through Amazon by other merchants aren't included, nor are many large items. BabyAge.com
This is the fun part, but try to register for practical items. By registering for things you know you'll need and use, you'll end up spending less out of pocket.
Step 4: Get it for free.
Baby Shower: spread the word that you'd be happy to receive practical items. A case of diapers (or five) may not be as cute as a tiny pink dress, buy you'll be glad later to have the diapers.
Other sources of free stuff: hand-me-downs, Freepeats, Craigslist (how to), Freecycle
Step 5: Fill in the gaps: If you can't get it free get it cheap.
You'll save sooo much money if you're open to using second-hand baby items. Here are a few sources:
- Craigslist
- thrift stores (National Thrift Store Directory)
- consignment shops (see if your town has a Kid to Kid or Once Upon a Child franchise or Google the name of your town plus "childrens consignment."
- consignment sales (spring and fall)
Wait as late as you possibly can (without panicking) and buy what you need. Again, you can wait until AFTER the baby is born to buy many unfulfilled registry items. When you decide to buy, try to get the item for 20% off or more (see step 2). Check for open box items for extra savings of around 30%. And if you're buying online, ALWAYS check for a coupon code (there's no need to be loyal to one site. Just Google the name of the store and "code"), and remember to consider the cost of shipping.
Reader best bets for bargains: Amazon
Step 6: Sign up for coupons.
Don't spend any more than you have to on diapers, wipes, formula, etc. Visit the sites on this list and sign up to receive coupons. You can also find baby-related coupons at coupon trading sites like the Baby Cheapskate Coupon Trading Group.
Step 7: Stock up on the essentials.
I find that the best approach to saving money on consumables is to wait for sales and use coupons. Baby Cheapskate's weekly Top Diaper & Formula Deals of the Week shows you where the sales are.
- Diapers (how many of each size should you buy? Check out this post.)
- Wipes (I recommend spending two cents or less per wipe. See how you can here).
- Diaper rash creme
- Formula, possibly. (Need to Buy Formula? Tips for Saving Big)
Buying Guides (these are archived posts, so prices may differ):
Join the 
22 comments:
What a great and comprehensive guide to saving money when expecting a new baby! I'll be sending it to several expecting mommies I know! And don't forget us Moms seeking the Toddler Deals - I'm about to check your review again of Potty Chairs on Amazon.com to buy my second one.
What a great list. I wish I'd had this when I was pregnant last year. I think it would have saved me alot of time and money. For instance, I had always planned on breastfeeding but I stocked up on bottles(you know, just in case) a few weeks before I was due. Well, turns out I only needed one maybe two bottles for pumped milk b/c I was able to breastfeed my daughter for a year w/o the need to supplement with formula bottles. Oh, and the clothes, yes you will recieve more than you think you will! I have definitly learned a few lessons for the next time around!
This is a great list. The only things I would add is to take advantage of Babies R Us' 15% off coupons on big items such as furniture and that used clothing can save you tons especially since young babies hardly get to wear the clothing before they have outgrown it. Yard sales in the spring can score you great finds on all kinds of stuff from changing tables to toys to clothing.
I wish I never bought my expensive bedding set! We used the bumpers for two months before replacing them with breathable bumpers.
Overstock is also a great place to look for cribs. Can't beat $2.95 shipping!
anon 8:01,
Yep. a mattress pad or two and a few crib sheets are all you really need. The mesh bumpers are awesome later on when the baby starts to stick his legs through the bars of the crib and can't get them out.
unless after 4 kids later you never had a baby shower *sniff* you helped your mother plan all of your sisters showers. ironically enough you have had shared custody of one of them with your mom since birth. oo!! dont forget the numerous family friends & coworkers that you helped throw too.
sorry...im a bit bitter ;)
awesome list btw. another thing i never really used was bibs or burb cloths. the spitup always ended up all over me anyways so i just used the recieving blankets. of course they always seemed to get the food everywhere BUT the bib LOL
And Babies R Us has a new "Registry Completion Program." If you create a registry at BRU, after your due date, they will send you a coupon for 10% off everything on your registry that has been unfullfilled! While not a super deal, it'll at least cover the tax!
The book Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields ($12.21 on Amazon) was a huge help for me. It rates everything so you know if spending a couple extra dollars might be worth it or not. Also give suggestions on how many sleepers, socks, hats...It gives advise on maternity clothes and such. It was my guide while registering as well! Saved a lot of time since there are so many choices on things!!! (I get this book for all my pregnant friends - helps them look forward to something through the morning sickness!!)
Baby Bargains is a great book! I'd definitely recommend it.
My only complaint about it is that the Fields overlook a lot of savings opportunities on the internet.
Great list, Angie! As always, your site is so great and informative, especially for new parents who are trying to figure things out!!!
TARGET WARNING!! Target will only allow 2 returns per year w/o a recipt and now the returns can only be $20 or less!!! This really stinks if you register there and get gifts w/o recipts!!!! Very frustrating! I will discourage my friends from registering there. I recommend Babys R Us-- they are wonderful!!
I agree with everyone else. This is such an awesome list that I had to link to it from BabyBlogAddict.com.
Thanks for the great tips!
Jennifer
About the Target return policy..........I am willing to bet that they are having to get tough with their return policy b/c of people abusing it. I use to work in retail and I know first hand the tricks some people can pull. We had to strickly enforce our return policy b/c of it. You'd really be surprised at the things some people have the nerve to do.
Supposedly Target's return policy is supposed to change (maybe February?) to no returns w/o a receipt! Really stinks!!
Super great post - I wish every mom-to-be could read it!!!
I agree that Target was not as great with returns, but Babies R Us was awesome. Although if someone purchases something off your registry at Target, they'll take it back without the receipt! And if you have to have your husband or mom return something!
One other great place to look for bargains is your local Mother's of Multiples sale. Here in Bellevue there is a HUGE HUGE sale every 6 months where I stock up on all sorts of used clothing and other baby/kid supplies. Search on Google for your local Twins/Multiples groups and then check out their websites for local sales. I suspect these are bigger in more populated areas, but probably worth looking for. Think about it as a focused rummage sale!
RECALL – Evenflo is recalling Triumph model car seats because portions of the cloth cover can be pulled back, exposing the foam liner to a child who may break off a piece of the foam, causing a potential choking hazard
You missed a couple of BIG opportunities to save:
Formula is VERY expensive. Breast milk is free and the best nutrition for your baby.
Diapers - Go cloth. You pay once and can use them for multiple children. We figure after an inital investment of under $150, we'll save $1500-$1800/year. Another option - Google "natural infant hygiene" and learn about it. Kids can be diaper-free in less than 6 months.
Cribs/Furniture - My sister spent $750-$1000 setting up her nursery. My wife and I bought a co-sleeper sidecar for $150 (included shipping). We did not do this because of $$ only. We wanted the baby in our room at the beginning, at least. After a broken pipe while we are on vacation and 7 months pregnant, we wiped out our baby/emergency fund paying the insurance deductible. In the long run, we believe the family will be closer, the baby will feel more at ease, and we'll ALL sleep better.
Our grandparents did without a lot of the "essentials" of today for babies. If you approach things a little simpler, you might save a LOT of $$.
Mike,
You mention some great ideas for savings for parents who feel comfortable choosing cloth, breastfeeding, and cosleeping.
For those that are pregnant-do not bank of being able to breastfeed. I planned that I'd breastfeed and never considered the cost of formula becuase I didn't think I'd need it. Well, breastfeeding did NOT work for us. My daughter was simply not gaining weight because she was not latching on even after 1 month. We had to switch to formula and were kind of caught off guard with the price of formula. Don't assume you'll be able to breastfeed, always keep in mind you may need formula even if you don't think you will.
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