How To Save When Expecting Part 2

Every mum can confirm that the first 2-3 years of your baby’s life it’s all about nappies. You will hear yourself or your husband shouting several times a day “ don’t forget the nappies!”. It is true that nappies are quite an expanse, being the most used product in a day. 

For this reason, some mummies prefer to use cloth nappies. It is definitely cheaper. But when you have to go at work and leave your kid on daycare, you can’t really go for that economical option, because there is no time at all to deal with them.

For this reason, I have chosen the disposable ones. Considering that babies use them for almost two years and a half, we are constantly looking for ways to save money while using them. So here’s what I have learned so far.

Buy in big quantities.

When it comes to nappies, too many are never too many. You know you will use them daily for quite a long time, so why not saving some money from some very good deals? Deals usually come with big volumes (of course) and other than getting a very low price per piece; you may also receive some additional product as part of a special offer. For example, you may find an offer that says “ get 2 boxes of nappies and receive a box of baby wipes for free”. You are actually going to buy the big boxes of nappies anyways, because you will need to use them for your baby. In addition, you receive some other product for free which that one also, you intended to buy as you would need to use that on your baby. Hunting these types of offers will result on big savings at the end of the month.

Consider the size segmentation and get usage of the smaller ones.

Never forget that the bigger the size of nappies, the fewer there are in one package. For example, if you usually find 52 pieces in a package recommended for babies weighting 7kg – 14kg, you will find only 44 pieces in the packages recommended for babies weighting 11kg – 19kg. So, If your baby weights 11kg, why going for the second package? He will be very comfortable wearing nappies from the first package, which offers 8 more pieces for free. It means that for almost every sic packages you will be receiving one for free, also there are many freebie sites out there who offer a lot of free baby stuff, sites like http://freestuffbaby.co.uk/ or latest free stuff and so much more.

Own brands are an excellent choice.

Like for any other product, when it comes to our little ones, we tend to get caught in the brands images and prefer to go for the well-known ones. It is true that often, the more you pay, the better the quality. But when we talk about nappies, we might also consider that going for won brands (that of course cost less) from time to time, or especially during hard times, is not such a bad idea. At the end, if we don’t notice any considerable issue using them, why not saving some money? Think about the difference that would make a pack of 19p per nappy compared to another of 14p per nappy. Quite some savings, huh?

How To Save: When Your Expecting Part 1

As women, we all know that addictive temptation to enter into shops and buy almost anything. Consider that and multiply it by ten. That’s what you feel when you are pregnant (especially for the first time) and you try to figure out everything that you will need for the months to come.

Even myself, like many other women, bought a lot of things that turned out to be almost useless during my first two pregnancies. But, at the third one I become a master of it and tried to be smart. Here are some of my advice for you:

Return things you don’t need

We all have those dear family members or friends that have just the opposite taste compared to ours. They al mean well by gifting us well thought objects, but, instead of feeling obliged to keep them and store them forever, we should (and oh, I do) return them and receive store credit, which we can use to get something we really like and need. At the same time, (while preparing to receive the new baby or at the baby shower) you may end up having duplicated things and of course you will use just one of them. So why not returning the other one and get something you might actually use instead? Many shops feel more than happy to help you with that even if you don’t have the receipt.

Storage accessories

Anything you buy now like flexi tubes or baskets will turn out very useful throughout your baby’s life. You will adore them now, around your baby’s changing station to put all those little objects, creams, nappies…. anything. Later on, when your baby is grown up, you will love them to put all those little toys inside and have some order at your home…. for like 5 minutes. Even when your child is bigger, you may use them on cleaning day or for storage purposes (books, shoes, things they never use…).

Furniture and other accessories: look for types that you can re-use and recycle
We tend to buy products that serve just to the purpose we are looking them for and that is why we end up with lots of things taking over our spaces and of course, lots of expenses. What if, instead, we try to look for objects (especially furniture that cost so much) that we can actually use for multiple purposes or for a later age. Let’s say, we need a baby changing station. Ok, fine, but try to get one that offer also lots of storage so you can use it as a cupboard too, for little things like baby blankets, baby clothing, toys etc. Having your first baby and looking for a new cot? Try to find one that can easily turn into a toddlers bed instead, this way you save money and energies from avoiding yourself to look for one just one or two years later.

Think twice before choosing your pram.

Your baby’s pram is a very important tool as you are going to use it so much, for so many times, push it, carry it, fold it, unfold it, take it up the stairs, take it down the stairs. Also, it is not just you who is going to use it as much. Our partner or the baby’s grandparents need to be comfortable with it too. So, you will need to test it beforehand, go for a short walk (maybe around the store) and try to exercise all the movements you are going to do with it later. The prices vary from very expensive to very cheap ones. What you could do as an option to save some money, is to go on ebay and try to get one that you have already tried in the store or even better, ask to your friends, whose baby is now a toddler to purchase theirs. A used pram is often as good as new so this could really save you a lot of money.

Don’t end up having lots of anything. Just one or two will do just as good

You might feel the need to buy a lot of things of the same kind, thinking that your baby will consume them a lot. There is a risk though that if your baby doesn’t like one of them, he will not use any of them at all. Babies, just like grown ups, have their own preferences and things they feel comfortable with and you have to discover them first. Let’s say, you buy a set of six feeding bottles and what happens is that your baby doesn’t feed from even one of them. You will end up having six of them you will not use and still needing to buy and try one ones. One or two will do just fine. When you understand what feels good to your baby, you can stick to that brand.

You will need LOOTS of nappies.

There’s not much to say about this. It is a fact and every mom can confirm it. So, to save yourself some money and energy, go for the big packs. I found great boxes at Asda and if you have a car, it’s not a problem to bring them home. If not, than you’d better order them online so you can receive home delivery.

Make sure to have a back up baby bag, always!

Being a mom is so tiring and difficult and very often we end up doing one hundred things at a time, but it is important to always remember to have a back up baby bag. This way, you will avoid getting a very expensive one just because you forgot yours at home (and you most probably have ten of them at home).