Despite their small size, babies have a huge impact on a family’s budget. This can be frustrating because babies grow so fast that it seems as though properly caring for them will be an ever-increasing expense. Fortunately, it’s possible to save money on the items that babies need without making any compromises on your baby’s health and comfort.
While you should never buy a used car seat because it could be unsafe, there are many baby items you can purchase used to save money. For instance, buying gently-used clothes is a great way to dress your baby fashionably at an affordable price.
Diapers, formula, and car seats are all expensive purchases. Keep your eyes open for sales and coupons that can help make these items easier on your wallet. One of the best ways to find deals on big purchases is with the annual trade-in events offered by some stores. These events let you exchange old car seats for a large discount on a new, safer model.
Choosing to exclusively breastfeed can eliminate the expense of formula altogether. Even better, many health insurance companies cover the cost of breastfeeding supplies like electric pumps, tubing, and storage bags. If you plan on pumping as part of your breastfeeding routine, you can save hundreds of dollars by checking to see if you can get a breast pump covered by insurance.
When you have a new baby, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the products for sale. Wipe warmers, bottle sterilizers, and video monitors sound useful, but they may not be necessary for all families. Taking time to carefully think about purchases before you make them can prevent unnecessary spending.
Whether you’re pulling them out of storage yourself, or asking relatives for theirs, hand-me-downs are one of the easiest ways to give your budget a break when preparing for a new baby. You can even save money by re-using a car seat as long as you’re certain it hasn’t been in an accident and isn’t expired.
These are just a few of the ways you can make providing for a newborn more affordable. Asking family and friends how they saved money while welcoming a new family member can give you more ideas. It will never be free, but with careful planning, having a baby doesn’t have to be unbearably expensive.
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