Money Saving Tips for Your New Baby -

Money saving tips ready for your baby

There seem to be millions of things you feel you need to buy ready for your baby, but are they really essential and could you possibly get them cheaper elsewhere?

With a few small steps, you could make some big savings on Nuna, Premium Car Seats, Pushchairs, And Baby Gear Au.

Average costs

The first step to saving money is to know what the average person spends on their baby, this way you can get an idea and plan ahead. Using a baby cost calculator will enable you to do this. The average person spends £44,000 over a three year period. Breaking this down this is what you’re spending:

Clothes- up to £4000
Pushchair- up to £400
Car seat- up to £300
Furniture- up to £1,500
Cot and bedding- up to £300
Food- up to £6,000
Nappies- up to £1,200
Childcare- up to £30,000

Have a budget and make a plan

A great way to stop overspending and buying things you don’t need is to create a plan. Monitor your spending habits and see if you are able to cut down on items which you don’t particularly need, that may be a meal or a cinema trip every week, cut it down to once a month and you’re sure to make some beneficial savings. If something crops up unexpectedly, you can take out a short term loan until you are back on your feet.

Know what you need to buy

Don’t go for a trip to Mothercare without a list, you will leave with a trolley full of items that you really didn’t need. Here are some essentials that you’re most definitely going to need to stock up on:

Clothes: all in one suits, vests, cardigans, coat or an all in one suit and a hat.
Nappies, Nappy sacks, wet wipes and cream.
Nursing bras, breast pads, bottles, teats, bottle brushes, steriliser and bibs.
A Moses basket or a cot, bedding sheets, a mattress and bedroom furniture.
A baby bath or a newborn bath support, towels, baby cleanser and wash.
A pushchair with a rain cover and a sunshade.
A rear-facing car seat and sun blinds.
A changing bag with a changing mat.

Though a few of the essentials need to be bought new especially the rear-facing car seat, which must always be bought from a reputable retailer to ensure it is safe and in working condition, Halfords always have offers on, so have a look around different shops and find the best offer. Other items such as clothing can be bought second hand. Ask friends and family if they have anything which their children have grown out of and could be passed down onto you, also try having a look on local sites such as Gumtree for bundles of clothing and furniture being sold.

Childcare costs can also be reduced by making sure you’re claiming what you’re entitled to such as child benefit, but also have a look at childcare tax credits and the salary scheme sacrifice given by your employer. Ask friends and relatives if they are able to help out even if it’s just once a week with childcare, this will amount to a big saving over time.

Take Advantage of Freebie websites

One of my favourite sites is Gratisfaction free stuff. I’ve personally used this and have had samples of nappies, baby wipes and baby toiletries, as well as non-baby related things and household products. It’s the perfect way to save a few pennies and try them out before you spend any money.

Don’t Go Mad On the Nursery

It’s very tempting to spend a fortune on decorating a babies bedroom or nursery, with all sorts of (unuseful) furniture and decor. Do you really need that expensive changing table, or can you use a changing mat on the floor? Do you really need that elephant print wallpaper, or will plain walls that grow with your child be enough? As long as they have somewhere to sleep, somewhere to store their clothes and essentials.