With your due date fast approaching, you're probably excited and itching to finish your baby's shopping list and buy all those cute clothes and items. However, rising pregnancy costs might put a damper on your shopping. In addition to the future costs of raising a child, you might want to be a bit more cautious with money when shopping. A recent report shows that the average family spends about $12,980 on a child every year. Kids do cost money, but you don't have to break the bank taking care of them. There are many ways to limit your spending without your finances taking a severe hit. Here are some budget-friendly tips to help you make the best purchasing decisions for your baby.
Research before buying
When buying baby items that come in various designs and price tags, you must read up on these products before deciding on the most suitable model. Purchasing less expensive items does not mean you are sacrificing quality. Several affordable baby gears and items can perform the same function as other expensive items. The key to finding a good and affordable product is to do a lot of research. On your own, you can create pros and cons lists of items you are interested in. You can also read reviews and ask trusted friends and family for recommendations. You can also gain more information from other parents on parenting blogs or forums to note down brands to purchase or avoid. Product review sites are also extremely helpful.
It is also good to have a collection of facts before making a purchasing decision. Where needed, don't be afraid to select the more expensive option. These items may be more durable, making them a worthy investment in the long run. In addition, you can always reuse the item or give it to someone else that might need it.
Be smart with diaper purchases
One of the things you would end up spending quite a lot of money on over the next few years is diapers. So, it would be best if you had a solid plan to get the best deals; otherwise, it can dent your budget. Most money-conscious moms say that the first rule is never to buy diapers at their full price. That means you can always get diapers on sale in various stores.
Another helpful tip is to compare diaper prices from at least three places before purchasing. You can also check the brand's website for coupons and discounts. When it comes to diapers, you don't need to stay loyal to one brand. Others work just as well that are much cheaper.
You can also join rewards programs to save on diapers. Some of the biggest diaper brands have very popular rewards programs where you can trade purchase points for high-value coupons.
Buy only essential baby gears
When shopping for your baby, you will encounter different baby gears that might seem extremely useful to you and your baby. But the truth is, while those gears are useful, you might not need them all at once. Instead, consider your lifestyle and budget and aim to buy the few essentials that will carry you over the next couple of months. One of the essential baby gears you can get is an infant car seat. You will be spending days driving to the hospital with your newborn, and you must make sure they are safe and secure in your vehicle. Choosing the right car seat can be stressful, but there are certain infant car seat features you cannot overlook, including the price, safety, and comfort.
It would help if you also opted for more convertible gear. Since babies quickly outgrow some items, you must get products that will grow along with them, so you wouldn't have to keep buying other pieces. When shopping for your baby gear, ask a shop attendant to show you items with 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 functions.
Be mindful of baby clothes sizes
It's easy to get carried away when shopping for clothes for your newborn. All the clothes are just so cute, and you can't resist the urge to imagine your little one in their cute little outfits. But you must stay smart when shopping for clothes, especially regarding sizes. Babies grow up so fast, and some can grow into bigger-sized clothes before hitting their half-year milestone. If you spent money on tiny adorable clothes, you might have to spend more money again after six months! So, it would be better to buy six-month clothes than three-month ones. All you must do is ensure they are appropriate for the season. Baby clothes can be expensive, so it's always better to buy clothes that will serve much longer.
Additionally, you should try to buy clothes that are easy to wear and remove as much as possible. When shopping for baby clothes, it's best to consider simplicity over designer duds. Look for one-piece outfits that you can easily snap or zip up. Also, ensure you don't overstock on onesies. You'll probably get a lot of those as congratulatory gifts.
Reuse baby items
Baby items cost a lot, especially for products your baby wouldn't need in the next year or two. You must consider reusing baby items, whether they are from your family and friends or your previous pregnancy. Of course, there are some items that you will need to repurchase for your baby's health and safety, but there are several other items that you can use second-hand so long as you have conducted checks to ensure their safety.
For example, if you plan on reusing a stroller, some of the features you should look out for include working brakes, well-aligned wheels, a functioning lock mechanism, no rust, and quality fabric. Slings or baby carriers are also items that are very durable and can easily be reused. If you are buying second-hand, ensure that you are buying from a trusted source, as there are many fake brands out there that haven't undergone any safety tests.
Compare hospital costs
One of the biggest costs of having a baby will be the cost of delivering your baby. You will also have to pay for prenatal care, epidurals, hospital stays, and postpartum care. Even with insurance, the average cost of giving birth at a hospital is $4,500.
When choosing the most affordable hospital to have your baby, consider some factors. You must consider the type of birth you plan on having. Typically, it is more expensive to have a C-section than vaginal birth. It would be best to consider how much your health insurance would cover. Ensure you know what your insurance can cover and how much any procedure can cost. Doing so will help you have a rough idea of how much you will have to pay and can help you budget accordingly.
Don't shy away from baby showers
One of the best things about having a baby is that your loved ones will share your excitement by purchasing gifts for you and your baby. So, if they want to throw a party in honor of you and your baby, let them! You can create a registry of items that you will need so that they can buy items for you.
It's very easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of having a child, and while you might want to give your newborn everything, you have to be more conscious of your financial situation and expenses. Hopefully, these tips will help you make more financially sound decisions leading up to your child's birth.
No comments:
Post a Comment