Tips and Tricks to Be Frugal
Having a baby is so exciting but expensive. No mother would ever wish to cut corners during pregnancy and delivery. As your baby grows from newborn to bright-eyed and mobile one-year-old, there are many ways to save money and still provide a stimulating, safe, and beautiful environment. In fact, with these thrifty tips, you will likely be able to begin saving for your child's education or spend the money you save on enrichment experiences for you and your child.
The Top Five Ways to Be Thrifty and Still Have Fun
- Buy Gently Used Clothing Safely
- Learn to Barter ' It's Fun!
- Don't Reinvent the Wheel: Use Existing Resources
- Going Overboard Can Backfire
- Use Time to Save Money
New Isn't Always Better
One-year-olds are growing at a rapid rate. Almost every mom has had the experience of buying an adorable piece of clothing, only to have their baby wear it once before it is outgrown. Be frugal by buying 'almost new' baby clothes, and gain the advantage. Rummage sales, church sales, consignment shops and yard sales are excellent places to find gently used baby clothes. Some look as if they were never worn. Special occasion outfits, such as for the winter holidays, Easter, or Halloween, have often been worn just one time. Outerwear, when bought new, is very expensive. But 'nearly new' outerwear, such as coats and sweaters, can be bought for just a dollar or so. Since one-year-olds don't wear out clothes or give them any hard wear, these pieces are often in pristine condition.
Always wash your purchases before baby wears them. Don't buy clothing that don't have a care tag -- you want to be able to wash and dry the clothes appropriately and may need the care guidelines on the tag. Stick with second-hand clothing; don't buy used diapers or burp cloths, or stained or torn clothes. And don't buy vintage clothes that may not be up to modern safety standards. Sometimes vintage clothing has drawstrings or other unsafe features that are prohibited in modern baby clothing.
Want to Trade?
Take a tip from children at play: Barter and trade to get the things you need and want. Perhaps you received several swings or rockers as gifts when your baby was born. Take the extra or unused shower or gift items and use them to trade for items you do need. The new mother at your neighborhood park or 'Mother's Day Out' program might want a rocker you have ' and she might have received dozens of brand new cloth diapers that she doesn't use at all, but that would make your life so much simpler. Make a trade and get the items you need without spending a penny.
Sometimes you can barter for something you need, without having anything material to trade. Many parents in play groups need a break from childcare for a dinner out or to see a new movie. Trade babysitting chores with trusted friends to give you some badly needed 'me time.'
Always remember to 'think safety' when obtaining any item for your household, especially where your little one is concerned. Don't trade for items that may be unsafe, such as older baby swings, cribs, car seats, or jump-seats. Sometimes older models lack important safety features or are too worn to be used safely. (Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for a complete list of recalled baby items: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html)
Save Money By Using Community Resources
Some new mothers rush to provide everything their baby needs by purchasing it. But many churches and community centers have items that are desirable but only occasionally used at home, such as sandboxes, swings, toddler play tunnels, etc. Be sure to take advantage only of age-appropriate parts of the play areas. Don't let one-year-olds climb or play on equipment meant for older children. By using community-based resources, not only will you save money, but you'll also strengthen social skills and possibly even meet new friends by dropping by the church or community nursery or playground. When your child is older, don't forget that libraries have hundreds of read-aloud and board books that can be borrowed, absolutely free.
Sometimes More Isn't Better
Of course mothers want the best for their children. And sometimes they are so intent on providing the 'very best' experiences for their children that they end up overwhelming both their finances and their babies. Birthday parties are a prime place where the desire to shower the baby with love and attention can lead to an overwhelmed baby and a very expensive learning experience.
One-year-olds don't really understand that it's their birthday. Nor do they truly understand holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, or Easter. Elaborate outfits, gourmet cakes, and designer decorations aren't needed to have a wonderful party that celebrates milestones and holidays. Simple cakes and just a few decorations are just as wondrous to a one-year-old's eyes. Keep in mind the experience is about sharing love and joy and any celebration will turn out to be a success both in terms of enjoyment and in terms of finances.
Time to Save
Baby magazines are full of splashy ads showing beautiful nurseries filled with expensive furniture, imported textiles, and professionally painted murals. We all want a lovely setting for our baby, but there's no need to spend a fortune on the exact items featured when it's so much thriftier to simply use them as inspiration.
Paint is inexpensive and gives a tremendous amount of impact. Freshly painted walls are quick and easy to achieve. Stencils allow any mom ' even those who say they have no artistic talent -- to create a pretty motif above a crib or bassinet, and to carry elements of those motifs onto furniture, too. Even bedding can be coordinated by using non-toxic fabric paints. All it takes is time. Do a little bit of decorating as baby naps, is with grandma or aunt, or occupied in the baby swing.
Always use new paints that are indicated as safe for surfaces children might touch or chew, and don't paint with your child in the room. Make sure you obey all cautions about proper ventilation and drying times, too.
Moms can use their time at home in other ways, too. Consider making your own baby foods and creating costumes for a fraction of the cost of store-bought items. Every state has a Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and most offer free or very low-cost publications about many subjects of interest to parents. Maine's CES has both a website and excellent materials available for those who wish to make homemade baby foods (http://extension.umaine.edu/publications/4309e/).
