Re: Need of Ideas/suggestions

Updated on July 04, 2008
L.H. asks from Denver, CO
6 answers

i am extending my maternity leave to be at home with my baby, any ideas/suggestions to keep home/baby costs down would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

thanks for sharing both your suggestions and experiences, it was great information!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

It seems like the others have covered things pretty well, the only thing that I would add is check out craigslist. We got SOOOOO many things there for VERY cheap! Just be careful about meeting with people because that can be a little scary. I would always meet people in a public place and if my husband was free, I made him come with me. Also make sure to look at the product before you hand over the money! Oh and I keep meaning to look into angel food. I don't know if you've heard of it, but they advertise here all the time! http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ there's the website. Best wishes!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.N.

answers from Denver on

The best thing I can suggest is look at the adds and shop around for the items you may need.(becareful on the bulk stuff at sams club and costco you can sometimes find things cheaper at target and walmart) Also breast feeding will be the cheapest way to go for atleast the first 6 months, If you plan to formula feed ask the peds if there are any samples you can have I ended up with 4 cans from mine and every bit helps. If you don't do left overs it will be the time. to start and there are websites to tell you how to make your own baby foods which help as well.I hope this helps and gl.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Denver on

keep a $ diary of all your expenses for a month. Write down every cent that you spend from the soda from the vending machine to your biggest expense. At the end of the month you'll be able to see where your money is going and you can decide where you can make some adjustments.

also...I've reduced my grocery bill by buying store brands (often they're made by the same companies that make the more expensive brands) and using the store discount card.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Denver on

Buy in bulk, go to Sams club for wipes/diapers and if you are doing formula ask your pediatrician to give you coupons for the formula. I got tons of them and it saved us $100 or more easy. I alternated breast feeding with formula so if you have to do that get coupons and the company will send them throughout the first year.
Don't worry too much about "brand name" diapers either. Target has awesome brands a lot less expensive and just as absorbing. I would not buy anything other then Pampers when I had my daughter and when I had my son tried different brands, how I was so shocked they were all the same to a degree and I wasted a lot of money.
Don't run the AC all day just a few hours before bedtime to cool down the house, keep your blinds/shades closed during the hottest part of the day to reduce your electric bill. Compare with grocery fliers what is on sale where and make your grocery list accordingly.
Babies don't need baths every day, save your water and if you can do every other day or just quicker showers daily.
I am a single mom on a tight budget with two young kids so I have learned lately how to save money big time, not fun but can be done!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We do cloth diapers which brought our expenses waaaaaay down. Also, if you're not already, breastfeeding is basically free! You have to eat a bit more, but formula is sooooo expensive! We also have our AC ob 74 instead of lower where we'd like it. We go to thrift town for baby clothes. They have some REALLY cute stuff there & a lot of it is 69 or 99 cents! We got a lot of handmedowns from friends. We don't eat out, which takes up a lot more time, but is way less expensive. That's all I can think of for now. HTH!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.O.

answers from Denver on

You may not have time to do this right now but when you do try the Grocery Game. It takes a bit of time and goes against the norm of "buying what you need"...it supports buying what you don't need right now because the price is rock bottom. I did this (and still am when I can) before the birth of my son and stocked up on tons of food, toiletries, paper goods etc. It has cut down on my grocery bills, trips to the grocery store, and the "thinking/researching" the best deals. The site offers a free trial period for if and when you might be ready. https://www.thegrocerygame.com/con__DollarTrial.cfm

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions