Baby Talk - 4/11/19

With a new baby, obviously, comes new expenses. Here are a few suggestions for being more budget conscious.

• Ask for coupons and samples – Maternity wards are full of free samples and coupons from a whole host of manufacturers. Be sure to ask your nurse about these freebies. You can leave with a number of supplies that should hold you for a while.

• Nurse baby, if possible – Breast milk is healthy and free. The cost of formula can add up very quickly. If you are using formula, ask for samples before leaving the hospital and at each pediatrician visit.

• Buy baby clothes as needed – Talk to any mom and she will tell you about baby growth spurts.Be careful of buying out-of-season clothes with the hope that they will fit baby several months later. It is hard to anticipate when these growth spurts will occur, and you don’t want to have spent money on clothes that do not fit.

• Buy in bulk – If you have enough storage space, and your budget permits, stock up on things like diapers and formula. This will save you money in the long run, as you are certainly going to need a lot of these types of supplies.

• Buy secondhand – Consignment shops are a great place to shop for baby clothes, gear, and furniture. Friends and relatives are also great sources of baby “things.” Babies outgrow clothes in a matter of a few months, and you will move through baby gear faster than you think. When possible, opting for convertible gear will save you money. Consider a crib that converts to a toddler bed or a high chair that converts to a booster seat.

Do you have other suggestions to help new moms save money? Please, share.