Buying what you need for your baby without breaking the bank
People have said many times that babies cost a lot of money. Even though Brad or Jennifer won't pop out of the birth canal and start demanding maids and expensive electronics, they do add some costs that, when added up, can be hard on the budget. Luckily, the costs don't have to be paid for all at once. Even an unplanned pregnancy gives you nine months to plan and pay for the costs of having a baby. There are a few things that parents-to-be can do to save money on some of the big costs that are coming.
Showers for babies
A baby shower is a time-honored tradition where friends and family give gifts to women who are going to have a baby. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to use this to your advantage. Most of the baby's immediate layette needs can often be met by a good shower. Most of the time, someone will offer to throw a baby shower for the mom-to-be, but she shouldn't be afraid to hint to close friends and family or even just ask for one.
Buy diapers ahead of time
When is the best time to start buying diapers and other such necessities? Ideal would be right after conception, but most women don't find out they're pregnant until weeks or even months later, so "as soon as you find out" may have to do. Start putting diapers on your regular shopping list and try to get one or two packages every week. It's a good idea to have a mix of sizes one and two, along with maybe one or two packs of the newborn size. If your baby is bigger than a newborn, you don't want to be stuck with a lot of diapers that won't fit. If the baby is a "normal" size, it is easy to buy newborn sizes while you need them and rest easy knowing you have enough of the next size up. If you can still find one in your area, you could use a cloth diaper service instead, which would cost less.
Get help and try to buy used as much as you can.
Try to get help from family members when buying big things like cribs, playpens, and strollers. Most soon-to-be grandparents are happy to help with things like these. If you buy these things used, you can also save a lot of money. If a used crib, stroller, or playpen is in good shape, there is no reason not to buy it instead of a new one. Only a car seat is likely not something you should buy used. These things have to meet safety standards, and there's no way to know for sure if a used one does.
With a little planning and forethought, you can save a lot of money on most of your baby's first and ongoing needs. The best way to save money on your baby's layette is to start as soon as you can.
