Tips From Moms

Alright moms, especially new moms and moms to be, here's some tips to help save money.


Breastfeed - It costs absolutely nothing. No formula, no bottles, no liners, and it's the best start on life that you can possibly give your baby. The closeness and bonding that is involved with breastfeeding is unbelievable. The cost of formula these days is crazy. It's $40 for a case of 12 cans of Similac formula, most babies drink about a can a day, so that means you will need to buy 3 cases, which means you will have to spend $120 a month, that's $1440 a year. Then you'd have to spend time mixing the formula, warming it up when baby needs it, sterilizing and washing bottles. Which is time wasted when you could be spending that time nursing your baby, holding your baby, and so many other things. Breast is best and your milk is on demand which is way better than mixing formula, heating it up and washing the bottles.



Cloth Diapers - Yes they can be a bit pricey but in the long run it saves you so much more. For a box of disposable diapers it cost from around $20 to $30 or sometimes even higher depending on the brand, size and amount in the box. $30/month X 12 months = $360. Now let's say your child is potty trained at the age of 3, that's $1080 in diapers.


Baby face cloths - These can be used as reusable baby wipes, just wet them in warm water. They work really great and they reduce the risk of a rash. Baby face cloths sometimes are around $6 for 10, a box of baby wipes is between $15 to $25 depending on the brand and amount inside the box. That's $25/month X 12 months = $300. If your child is potty trained at age of 3, that's $900 in wipes.


Take what you can get - If you have family members who have baby clothes that their child has outgrown, don't be shy, ask for them! Go to yard sales and flea markets, there are usually a lot of baby items at these types of places and they are cheap. Sign up for free customer reward programs, even if you don't shop all that much the reward points do add up.


Shop during the clearance sales - This is the best time to get kids clothes real cheap. Summer clothes go on clearance at the end of summer, at Walmart toddlers summer shirts and shorts are between $3 and $7. If you buy bigger sizes it saves you from buying new summer clothes at the beginning of summer when kids clothes are more expensive. Winter jackets, ski pants, hats, boots, gloves, scarves, etc go on clearance at the end of winter, best time to buy new outdoor winter clothing for the next year. Toys clearance sales are great for buying Christmas and birthday gifts any time of year, who says we can't buy toys and put them away for when the gift days come?


Groceries - Anytime you see a buy 1 get 1 free sale you should take advantage of it. Especially when it comes to food. This is a great time to stock up and save tons of money. You should plan your weekly meals around your local grocery store weekly sales. Always look for meats that are on special, regardless of the best before date, meat can stay in the freezer for months before it goes bad. Use coupons every chance you get, it saves so much money especially if you are on a very tight budget.


Don't buy what you won't need - Yes it's nice to have all of the baby things they have for sale now days, swings, changing tables, crib, strollers, walkers, exercausers, bouncy chairs, high-chairs etc. All of those things are very expensive and how much of that stuff do babies really need? Think of it like this, here are great examples of why you don't need most of the baby things that are so tempting to buy. Why buy a swing when you can hold your baby? Why buy a changing table when you can use your bed, the couch or even a blanket down on the floor? If you are breastfeeding and plan on getting some sleep at night then why buy a crib when you can co-sleep? If you plan on going for walks with your baby try wearing your baby in a kangaroo wrap instead of buying a stroller. Walkers, exercausers, jumpers and other types of toys baby can sit in are very expensive and chances are you won't use them very much. Why not let baby down on the floor with a few toys, it's great tummy time and it let's your baby explore. There are so many things that are out there to buy but you have to ask yourself do you really need it and how much will you use it? Buy a convertible car seat instead of an infant car seat, an infant car seat costs between $100 to $300 or more depending on the brand and type, and you can only use an infant car seat for as long as your baby can fit in it. A convertible car seat on the other hand does cost around the same but you use it for a lot longer and it saves you $100 to $300 on an infant car seat. Buy a high-chair that converts into a booster seat, this will save you between $30 - $100 or more later on.


Make your own baby food - You spend over $80 a month on jars of baby food, why not just make it yourself? The baby bullet cost about $80 and it comes with so much, including a cook book. Making a weeks worth of meals costs around $3 with the baby bullet and you can make a much bigger menu for your baby, the jars of baby food doesn't have that much variety. You can make a months worth of baby food for around $20, come on ladies that is way better than spending $80 a month, great savings!


Cribs & bedding - If you are going to buy a crib, buy one that converts into a toddlers bed, buy a very sturdy mattress because as soon as your baby can stand he/she will start jumping, and most crib mattresses rip easy if you don't buy a sturdy one! There is no need to go out and buy $300 bedding, the only bedding that your baby needs is a fitted sheet for the mattress and a light blanket if the baby needs it. Bumper pads, heavy blankets, pillows, roll-guard cushions, stuffed animals and any other item you might want to place in your baby's crib is unsafe and your baby can suffocate against these objects. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada and other child care organizations all agree that crib bedding is dangerous. You can buy fancy bedding later on when baby is old enough to move things away from his/her face.


Babysitters - Babysitters can be very expensive when mommy & daddy want to have a date night, most of the time you end up spending more money on the babysitter then you did on the evening out. Instead make a list of family members who are willing to babysit for free, it will be time they can spend with the baby. Exchange babysitting hours with your friends who have children.