How To Save Money When You Have A Baby
It’s a well-known fact that having a baby is going to put you under financial pressure. No matter how much preparation you’ve done or what your savings account balance is, the chance of you finding yourself low on cash are unfortunately high. While short-term loans are available from lenders like Uncle Buck in the case of a financial emergency, saving the pennies throughout your child’s first few years is a must. To give you a head start, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the best ways you can save money when you have a baby.
Bulk Buy On Things You Know You’ll Need
Stockpiling your supplies when they’re on sale or there’s a decent deal on could save you a lot of cash in the long run. Of course, it’s best to avoid bulk-buying until you’re sure of what brands you prefer and what you really do need in advance. Nappies, wipes, washing detergent and baby powder are great things to stock up on in advance, but remember not to buy things you definitely don’t need. Nappy bags are another good thing to buy in bulk if you need to, but if your toddler is close to being potty trained, for example, it’s probably best to avoid buying too many nappies or nappy bags! Wipes, on the other hand, are a must have no matter their age. 
Buy Second Hand – Within Reason
Second hand doesn’t always mean inferior – in fact, a lot of second hand baby stuff is probably going to be brand new, if not as good as. Whether you opt for picking up second hand clothing from sites like Gumtree or from a charity shop, a lot of baby clothes often go unworn simply because parents have made the mistake of stockpiling beyond what their little one ever had time to wear before they grew out of it! That being said, pushchairs, bedding, toys and more can be picked up too – but be careful. Avoid buying car seats second hand, for example, unless you know explicitly where it is coming from. Buying online from an unknown source means you don’t know if it’s been in an accident before and is of an inferior quality.
Limit Your Clothing Budget
Your child will grow, and they will grow fast. So fast, in fact, that they’ll probably outgrow their clothes in a month or two. This is especially true for new-borns, so while it’s tempting to stockpile on vests and sleeping attire, try and avoid picking up too many at once. You don’t know how fast your little one will grow, or what size they’ll be when they’re born, and so try and avoid spending too much on clothing until you know that they need it. While avoiding bulk buying might seem like it’ll be costing you more, it’ll save wasted clothing in the long run!
Borrow From Friends Or Family
If you have friends or family that have recently had a baby or who might still have some of their children’s old stuff, ask if you can borrow it. Most will be willing to hand it over, especially if they don’t need it, and you can always return it if they come to need it in the future. This can work for clothing, toys and furniture too, so always take the time to ask around! You never know what people might have laying around.
Having a baby is undoubtedly going to put a hole in your bank account, but it is possible to raise a baby on a budget without reducing the quality of their upbringing. Second hand clothing never hurt anyone, especially a baby who’s likely to chuck up all over it! Be smart with your buying, but remember that it is possible to spend smart and save the pennies when you have a baby.
