6 Ways to Save Money on Baby Products
The state of the economy doesn’t seem to be improving fast enough for many of us. Expenses keep piling up and we need to do all we can to cut costs and save money where we can.
It doesn’t help to know that the cost of raising a child in the U.S. is estimated to be over $245,000, as found by the USDA in 2014. This doesn’t even include college fees.
As a parent, you want your child to have the best. It is therefore no surprise that excited first-time parents have been known to spend thousands of dollars on their babies. The 2011 Annual Pregnancy and Baby Study by The Bump revealed that the average American parents spend over $4,000 on baby products. According to data gathered during the study, half of this amount is spent before the baby’s arrival and many of the expenses are unnecessary.
The best of both worlds
Ensuring that your child has the best doesn’t always mean buying the most expensive products. It doesn’t also mean having all the products suggested by your friends, family or so-called experts. You can save money and still provide your child with the best.
Here are six ways you can get the best of both worlds.
- Start saving early
When the baby comes is not the best time to begin shopping for your baby. Shopping at last minute will only cause you to buy in a rush and not take the time to find the best baby deals. Start preparing for the baby as soon as you get the news that you’re expecting a new addition. This will give you enough time to plan, save and find the best bargains.
- Do your research
This is not the time to splurge. Baby products can be expensive. Your baby will also cost you a lot of money in diapers and other products for the first few years of their life. Before you purchase anything, make sure you’ve done your research. Determine what is essential to purchase and read reviews on different products and brands from other parents. You may also want to consult people you know personally who have used these products.
- Buy second hand products
You can save thousands of dollars by purchasing second-hand products. You can get some baby products for free from friends and family. There are some products however, that you should buy new. These include items that will be used for feeding or for the safety of your baby.
- Purchase only the essentials
It can be tempting to purchase all the cute baby stuff you find online or in stores. However, not all of it is essential. If you want to stay under budget, stick to the essentials only. These include blankets, beddings, a crib, diapers, bottles, formula, breast pump, a car seat, and wipes.
- Find the best deals
Just as with shopping for anything else, you should look for the best deals you can get on baby products. Look for coupons and discounts on online stores and compare prices for the same products to ensure that you’re getting the best price.
- Know what to splurge on
Many first-time parents are tempted to splurge when preparing for their babies. However, not all products need to be top-of-the-line. You should spend more money on items that are used for safety as well as those that will undergo a lot of wear and tear.
Avoid the need to buy everything for your baby. They don’t need everything and they won’t care (or even be able to notice)
The important this is to provide necessities for your baby. While you may think your spoiling your love bundle by going overboard, you’re really just hurting your future ability to provide them with even more important necessities. With a little planning, your money can go a long way in providing your child with everything they need through their baby years, and beyond.