Saving on Baby

Having a baby is a beautiful, wonderful, EXPENSIVE adventure and our finances usually aren't prepared for the hit. So, how do you have a baby and still afford to go out?
Follow some simple tips:

- Breastfeed!
This sounds so simple, but nothing is as easy as it sounds, so new moms don't give up! This is the best thing for baby and the most convenient thing for mom (once you get the hang of it), not to mention all the money you will save! Just think, a container of decent formula is about $13 per and a 6 month old baby could eat roughly 6 oz of formula 6 times a day. So...a 28 oz container makes about 30 6 oz bottles. That is less than a week's worth of formula for $13. More than $55 a month on formula when you can breastfeed for nothing!

- Manufacturer's Coupons
Sign up, sign up, sign up! Find all the big name baby products (Huggies, Pampers, Gerber,Carter's etc), log onto their website and register! You gets points for buying stuff, lots of coupons, your the first to know about sales and there are lots of contests to sign up for. I know signing up for contests sounds lame, but winning does happen and even if you don't win it was worth the coupon!

-Always take your receipt
Some grocery stores print coupons on the back of their receipts, be sure to look! Also, stores like Target have a separate machine that prints out coupons when you buy certain items. Be sure to look for yours or pick up the the ones the person in front of you didn't want!

-Make your own baby food
I know, sounds like too much of a hassle right? Don't knock it 'til you try it! A small jar of baby food is about 50 cents. Going through what, 3 or 4 a day? It adds up. In most places a pound of carrots is a dollar or so and can make a couple days worth of food. Steam, puree with water (formula or breastmilk work too), refrigerate (for up to 48 hours), or freeze. Make a bunch while you are cooking dinner, it only takes a minute,it can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months and thawed in the microwave. What more could you want? You can also check out books and other resources at the library on more baby food recipes.

-Register!
If your pregnant, REGISTER! There is no shame in signing up for the big things you really want. Go ahead throw the $400 rocking chair on there. Families love to buy for baby and sometimes friends all go in on something together. They save money and you get something you really need. Believe me, I did not have to buy any of the big things I needed for baby!

-Resale Stores
Thinking baby needs high price clothes and fancy shoes? Think again. Most of the time they wont even make it through the day in the same outfit. Hang out at Goodwill on half price Wednesday or go to a kid's resale store. You will be amazed at what you can find and how good of condition most of it is in. Don't be scared, just wash it good!