Most people believe that having a baby will cost them an arm and a leg. And, if you buy into the shameless advertisements geared towards expectant parents, you’ll spend far more than necessary in order to raise your child. But as you will read here it is possible to have a baby without overspending. It all depends on your habits and having a plan in place so you only spend where it is necessary.
Only purchase things that are absolutely essential. After all, your baby only has eyes for you – not the 5ft giraffe at the foot of their crib or the $600 rocking chair you purchased from Pottery Barn.
By following the five tips below, you’ll be able to bring your baby into a home without going over your budget:
1. Work with what you have. You may want to decorate a dream-worthy nursery for your newborn. But, the fact is that this process is more about you than your baby. The baby won’t feel any more privileged by sleeping in a beautiful nursery than in a small corner of your bedroom.
This is how we live in my home. All three of my kids have been sleeping in a crib next to my bed. It makes the nighttime feedings easier and they have the security of having mom close by. Of course, when they grew out of the crib they moved to their own room and a big kid bed.
* Make the best out of the space you have now. If you do have enough room for a separate nursery, be thrifty. Paint and handmade items can go much farther in creating a loving nursery than pricey store-bought décor. And you will have one-of-a-kind items that no one else has but might want.
2. Create a registry, and check it twice. Ask and you shall receive; be coy and you will have to pay out-of-pocket. New moms are given baby showers for a reason – to be showered with necessary items for the baby!
* Make the most of your registry power by creating two. Create one registry with items that are absolutely essential for the baby. And, create a second of things that you would like to have but aren’t necessities.
* Ask friends/family members to go in together on big-ticket items, such as cribs, baby swings, or strollers. Generally, they’ll spend less than if they were each to purchase a separate gift.
Our first stroller was a gift from my MiL and my mom. We would not have been able to buy one ourselves so that was really appreciated.
3. Buy used. There’s nothing wrong with thrift shopping for babies. Yes, their skin is sensitive, but with diligent cleaning and a careful eye when purchasing, babies will be perfectly healthy wearing or using previously used items. And if your siblings have older kids, ask if they still have baby clothes left.
I am currently playing host to all the kid clothes from 0-3 months to 8 years old.. as I have the oldest and sort of the youngest among the cousins.
* The only items that shouldn’t be purchased secondhand are baby bottles and plush toys, as they can be hard to truly decontaminate. Some mothers feel okay with buying used baby bottles, but it’s best to err on the side of caution.
I didn’t know this but you should replace the plastic bottles every 4-6 months. If they have any cracks or tears, replace them immediately. Teats should also be replaced when torn, or with cracks. You also need to keep track of the teat sizes that are appropriate for both the age of your baby and what they are being fed as the size differs.
4. Stockpile before the baby arrives. Become a coupon expert now. The earlier you learn how to match sales, customer rewards programs, and coupons, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
* Your baby may not be born yet, but it’s best to stockpile baby food, disposable diapers, and wipes when prices are at their absolute lowest. With effective couponing strategies, you may be able to score many items completely free! Also, check the manufacturer’s home pages for deals or coupons. They usually run sales more often than the baby store does. And by buying in advance you can spread the cost, also reducing the risk of overspending when the baby arrives.
5. Buy expensive. It’s a fact – higher quality items tend to last quite a lot longer than cheap items. Purchase higher quality burp cloths, strollers, and baby mattresses, as these are items you’ll use on a routine basis. If you have a high-end second-hand in your area check them out to score some of that brand-name clothing as well. Or if you have a friend that loves brand-name baby clothing, ask to buy them for a lesser sum than if you had to buy them new.
My MiL had a colleague like that so my MiL scored a lot of brand-name clothing when my oldest was a baby. So he was dressed more expensively than his parents and the clothes still survive 7 years later and 4 kids later + the usage they had before MiL bought them.
* Spending more money upfront can save you dollars for years to come. Often, you’ll be able to reuse high-quality baby supplies with children you have down the line.
As mentioned earlier, all of the luxurious purchases are geared towards satisfying the parent. The companies want you to overspend on things you might not need or never will use. Having a baby and overspending have almost become a competitive rite of passage. You feel as if you must indulge in the flashiest baby carriage, the top-of-the-line crib, and create a nursery that’s worthy of a spread in “Better Homes & Garden” magazine.
But today we are moving towards more reuse and DIY even among the baby community. So use places like TikTok and Instagram as inspiration as having a baby without overspending is totally possible.
If you can come to terms with the idea that less truly is more in the eyes of your child, you’ll save yourself a world of heartache, financial trouble, and emotional stress. Focus on the baby’s needs and your bundle of joy can be a lot more joyous!
Please don’t be afraid to leave a comment if you don’t agree, if you found something helpful, or just want to say hi.