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Welcome to multiples week at Baby Cheapskate! This is a guest post by Jen Murray, busy mother of quads and creator of the blog 4tunate. After hearing from a reader expecting triplets, I contacted Jen and asked her to put together some money-saving tips for parents expecting more than one bundle of joy. She really came through! Here is Jen's tip sheet for preparing a nursery, buying gear, stocking up on food and formula, and creating a registry. Thanks, Jen! Feel free to ask questions or share your own tips in the comments.
The Gathering Room
If two is company, three or more is a gathering! Any way you arrange it (unless you live in a castle) things are bound to be crowded in the nursery. That is why keeping it simple is so important (and economical). Multiples are almost always preemies and therefore, at greater risk for SIDS. The APA among many others advises against the use of blankets, comforters, bumpers, etc. Although the Pottery Barn bedding sets are just picture perfect, in my opinion they just aren't worth the risk – so save the $250 x 2, 3 or more and invest in some really cute matching or coordinating crib sheets for about $9. Let's say for triplets you buy 12 crib sheets – that's a savings of $642 dollars!
Need a cheap way to deck the walls? We scanned and printed pictures from our favorite children's books, and hung them in matted frames (use your 50% off coupons from Michael's/Joann Fabric). We've gotten so many compliments and it's something the boys can enjoy for years to come. It's also a great project for the bed rest days!
The Gear
Use your local resources! Get involved with a local Mother's of Multiples (MoM) Group. There are lots of multiples moms out there with equipment they are willing to pass down to a future MoM. Many multiples groups hold annual sales where you can find steals on strollers, gates, bouncy seats, clothing, toys, and other great gear! I came home with a laundry basket full of name-brand clothes for under $60!
The Grub
Baby Cheapskate has a terrific post on never paying full price for formula. Who could afford to with multiples? Use the coupon exchange to swap out for the formula that works best for your bambinos. Have your pediatrician contact their formula rep – they may be able to get you several months worth of formula for free! Many companies have multiples programs that will send you valuable coupons for their grub– worth the effort of writing a letter! Better yet, have a friend write the letters for you! It's a great way to answer the question of “What can I do to help?”.
The Guide
Your registry is a great guide for all those who just can't wait to buy for your future tax deductions! Help them be practical by registering for items like diapers (in all sizes), wipes, detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, anti-bacterial hand soap, etc. We are still using donated detergent and paper towels! What a blessing!
Also, before putting a big equipment item (ie: jumperoo, swing, exersaucer, etc.) on your list multiple times, register for 1 of the product and give it a whirl. You may find that what works for one doesn't always work for everyone and the last thing you'll want is 3 swings cluttering your house that your babies don't even use!
A diaper drive is a great alternative to the traditional shower – Trust me, you can't even begin to imagine how many you will really go through! (We have changed 8,000+ but who's counting!)
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Tomorrow's Post: Tandem Stroller Buying Guide
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8 comments:
My first child was a singleton - and only the best would do. I would never have dreamed of using store brand formula. My opinion changed drastically when our twins were born. Store formula has kept our boat afloat financially, and our twins are developing perfectly! I also agree with not splurging on the babies room. Although it can be super cute, everything will end up in a gargage sale in a years time anyway! We took that extra money and bought a stockpile of diapers!!
We had one of most everything. 1 exersaucer, 1 swing, 1 jumperoo, 1 walker, but 2 bouncy seats. Being able to rotate our twins from place to place and activity to activity really saved us on bored babies. Neither one was burnt out or bored of just one thing. Not to mention the money we saved by doing it that way.
my mom asked the other grandmas she knew for gear... all the other grandmas had stuff they kept at the housee for when the grandkids visited since my mom was helping my sister with the twins she would borrow all the gear from other gm's and give back the essentials for when those gm's had visitors..
and your tip on registering for diapers/formula etc should be tip for all new moms!
Stocking up on diapers when they go on sale the whole time you are pregnant really can help you once the baby or babies come.
I agree with Kendra...we only had one of all the 'big' items and made sure the twins took turns often to avoid boredeom. But...I could not have lived without two bouncy seats...But...those didn't cost me a penny - one was returned to us that we gave as a shower gift to another friend a year before...and another was passed along from another friend. Come to think of it...the jumperoo and exersaucer were hand-me-downs too! we were lucky!
I have 2 HUGE money savers for multiples. First is to join your local mothers of multiples club. http://www.nomotc.org/ is the nationwide listing. Nearly all of the clubs do large used clothing and equipment sales. I shop almost exclusively at my club's sale, and pay $5 or less per outfit. You can get great deals on strollers, cribs, exersaucers, anything you could ever imagine needing. Then, when your kids have outgrown those, sell them again!
Secondly, breastfeed if you can. Contact La Leche League or a lactation consultant for support. Pick up the book Mothering Multiples by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada. Get support through your local mothers of multiples club. I ended up nursing my twins for over 2 1/2 years, and can't even imagine paying for formula times two. I know it's not always possible to do, but it's definitely worth giving it a try.
When I found out we were having triplets I was amazed at how much we were given by people that we didn't even know. Accept it all and then sort through it later to see what you really can use. Then either pass the rest on to another expecting mom or your local childrens services. They are always greatful for even less than perfect items.
I agree with stocking up on diapers but avoid all small ones. Their really isn't much difference in sizes and I was amazed at how fast my 4lb babies outgrew
'preemie' size.
We had 3 of the big things, ie cribs, bouncers, but then just one swing, exersaucer, playard.
I just made sure all 3 cribs had a matching cribskirt but I don't even care if the sheets match or not.
We also put in a nice organizer in the closet. We bought 2 kits at Lowes for a total of about $150 and put it together in a couple hours. The cheapest price for having one installed would have been $600.
And find a local multiples group if you can. I found a great group of HOM and they were a lifesaver during my pregnancy and now that my trio is 10mth old. Even without the twice yearly clothing sales they offer things up all the time.
I don't have twind but I have two sets of children that are less than a year apart . . . so that still meant 2 in diapers, 2 cribs, 2 of all the favorite toys, etc. It didn't take us long to figure out that sharing is very important and teaching them this from the beginning has made it much easier now that they are older.
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