If you walk through a baby store or browse a baby magazine these days, you’ll see some really cool stuff. Baby stuff has come a long way in just the past decade! You can easily spend a fortune on just a few special things for baby. But there are some great things you can do that can save you a lot of money. Remember babies are growing faster than you think possible and many things will be outgrown before they are ever used. Here are some tips for you to save money and an idea you can use to help a friend save some baby dollars too.
Baby Shower Time- You can host an inexpensive baby shower for a friend to help them prepare for their new arrival. Baby showers don’t require a lot of work or expense, and the shower gifts can save new parents some much-needed money. You can spend a few dollars on decorations, plan a few baby shower games, and send out some invitations and poof... instant baby shower! Even if your guest list is short, the guest of honor is bound to get a couple of nice things that they either wanted or needed. And it’s guilt free because that’s what baby showers are for!
Consider used stuff- Whether the used items are clothes, toys or other baby care products, the baby items probably were not used for very long are usually still in good condition. Babies grow so fast that very few things actually get as much use as they could or should. There are people with dozens of different baby outfits that the baby has never even worn.
Plenty of families end up with cribs that have rarely seen use, or baby swings that they all tired of quickly. The best way to find these treasures is by letting people know you are pregnant. Once people have kids that have outgrown baby items they are usually so eager to get rid of everything. Sometimes they will almost beg you to take these things off their hands.
This is especially true if they don’t plan to have more kids. If you have no friends who are ready to pass along hand me downs, check out the second hand stores. The days when a second hand store was not “cool” are gone! Today they are considered practical and even “tres chic”! Also, check out garage sales….you can buy almost new items for up to 90% off of the original price.
Alternatives to fancy high chairs- On the market today there are little round baby seats that are formed to fit babies who are old enough to sit up but aren’t yet able to sit by themselves. They can be used to feeding, playing or just for baby to sit and watch you do dishes. They are small and portable so they can be taken anywhere and are a great temporary alternative to a high chair. With ingenuity and creativity, you can devise many substitutions for baby items that will be safe and inexpensive.
Get rid of the “gotta get it all” bug- It really is okay not to have a nursery that has every baby product on earth. Babies don’t care about their surroundings as long as they are loved, cared for, fed, and kept comfortable and safe. They do not want all of the fancy clothes, little shoes, bows, and toys. If you give your baby proper love and attention, you have a happy baby….enough said.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Post a Comment