Having a newborn baby is one of the most joyful things we can achieve in life. We all know that little ones are expensive, but how do we budget for having a new baby? Here are some tips on how to save money.
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It takes time that there is so much to budget around your new baby. With food, clothing, trips to the pharmacy, baby gear and everything else. It can be become a little overwhelming at times.
It can cost on average around £2,000 per year until your little one’s second birthday. That’s a lot of money to set aside per baby. Don’t be too defeated though. There is another way. Through budgeting, you can save and spend that cash on more experiences together.
There are savvy ways to save money but get all the baby essentials you and your baby need in those early days.
Check out the guide below:
Enjoying free stuff
One way of having everything you need is to find ways to get free baby stuff. One way is through Your Baby Club where if you sign up to their club you can claim things such as a free baby box and other great offers.
Other ways of enjoying free stuff is by contacting manufacturers directly and requesting free samples on nappies or formula. Your baby could be fussy so it makes sense to try a few formula samples and find out which one he or she prefers. This is of course if you’re bottle feeding.
Once the baby is born lots of businesses leave samples in the hospital too. The maternity wards are usually filled with loads of samples to try out such as lotions, body washes etc. Ask, but usually it’s totally fine to take the hospital toiletries such as alcohol swabs, nappies, a thermometer and more. It’s also worth asking the doctors and nurses on the maternity ward for their advice on what to get for your baby. They may be able to give you a variety of samples to go along with the manufacturers samples.
Think savvy when buying baby gear
Think about products than can be used for more than one purpose. There are high chairs that can double as a booster seat and cots that can be turned into toddler beds later down the line.
We all love gifts brought to us a new mum but some are more practical than others. Some may be too big for your little one such as a jumper. So returning this item for something better or more practical is the way to go.
Don’t buy things you don’t need. Such as cot pillows as they are removed every time your baby is put down to sleep.
Buy things like nappies in bulk. Saving around £100 a year on average.
Libraries have mum and baby classes that are usually free. There are usually board games and everything else you could think of. Story time classes and more. There are virtual options available as well. Your Baby Club also mentions the best strollers to buy. It’s important to do a price comparison so you get the best possible deal available on a stroller/pram and things such as a baby monitor. As well as price comparisons, don’t forget to check sites like Raise to see if there are any coupons or codes going with some of the top retailers available to help you save even more money on your purchases.
Other hints and tips on budget saving
- No need to buy an ear thermometer. They cost considerably more than an oral one. Doctors recommend to use an oral one anyway.
- Make homemade baby food. And if you have unopened baby formula you can get cash back for it at Sell Formula.
- Have an onboard baby bag for emergencies so it saves you buying everything individually each time.
These are just some of the ways to budget and save when having a baby. Check out Preparing for a Baby: 5 tips to help you save for a few more. Your baby gets everything they need and you can spend that extra cash on other things such as yourself to kick back and relax. If that’s even possible when you have children!
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[…] Goal setting is a very powerful technique that many people employ in order to reach their desired outcomes. Studies show that people that set goals are much more likely to succeed in their endeavor as compared to an individual that has no goal. With that being said, start off by setting a goal for yourself. What exactly do you want to save for? Is it a new house? A vacation? A new car? Better lifestyle? Your firstborn child? […]