10 Money Saving Tips for New Parents

Source: http://www.everydayfamily.com/10-money-saving-tips-new-parents/

It’s no secret that raising a child costs a lot of money and for new parents, these new expenses can be overwhelming. If you’re in a crunch, there are some things you can do to help manage these costs:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or relatives for hand me down clothing or baby gear. And, if you already have a child, be sure to save her things for the next baby.

2. Use your bargaining skills. Times are tough so you may be able to negotiate a lower price for items from your favorite baby boutique. You may also be able to get a better rate when hiring a babysitter or nanny.

3. Use coupons and sign up for store rewards programs. You can easily find coupons online not only for groceries but for other child products like toys, diapers, and professional portraits.

4. Breastfeed your baby. The American Association of Pediatricians recommends breastfeeding your baby for the first year of life. This is not only beneficial to your baby in many ways, but it is FREE.

5. Use cloth diapers. Although there is the initial expense of purchasing a supply of cloth diapers for your child, you will quickly save money as you are able to reuse them. And, hey, it’s good for our environment!

6. Look for floor model or unused returned items. If you can find them, these items are usually much cheaper and almost always come assembled!

7. Sell your old maternity and outgrown children’s clothes through a consignment shop. This is an easy way to make some money off items you can no longer use.

8. Buy generic or store brand items. If you compare labels to national brands, you may find the ingredients are the same; but the price is substantially lower.

9. Purchase items like formula, diapers, and wipes in bulk from a discount warehouse store.

10. Stock up on items you use regularly when they go on sale. Just be sure to pay attention to any expiration dates so you don’t end up wasting your money.