As a new parent, one quickly learns the cost of your little bundle of joy!!!! Following are 5 tips I use to SAVE BIG:
- Buy cloth diapers – Before my youngest daughter was born, I purchased 27 colorful and fun cloth diapers, a little at a time and over the course of several months. By doing so, it alleviated me from feeling overwhelmed with the total purchase–a whopping $230!
Before my daughter was in cloth diapers, I used the same 27 diapers over and over again since she was a “wee wittle” baby.
Below is a chart outlining the use of disposable diapers for a baby’s first 12-months. Since my daughter is older than 12 months, my approximate savings exceeded more than $328 ($558 – 230). This assumption is based upon what I spent on cloth diapers minus the overall cost savings listed on the chart:
| How Many Diapers Will Your Baby Use in the First Year? | ||||
| age | diaper changes per day | number of diapers | cost* | |
| 0 – 1 mo | 10 – 12 | 320 | $64.00 | |
| 1 – 5 mo | 8 – 10 | 870 | $174.00 | |
| 5 – 9 mo | 8 | 870 | $174.00 | |
| 9 – 12 mo | 8 | 728 | $145.60 | |
| *based on an average price of 20 cents per disposable diaper. | ||||
In a baby’s first 12 months, parents will have brought home an average of 2,788 diapers for a total cost of $557.60.
2 & 3. Breastfeed – I exclusively breastfed her for 6 months before I introduced her to solid foods. For two months or so, I made her baby food, which was another BIG money saver!
Because I pumped everyday, I did not buy any formula for the babysitter either, but sent breast-milk to the sitter’s home instead. Making my daughter’s foods was super fun too! My entire family joined in with me as we anticipated trying new combinations and waiting to see our baby’s reaction to each new dish.
- Purchase other items in bulk – I buy our toiletries and washing detergents in large quantities. I get a huge container of washing liquid that cost $12; it is cloth-diaper friendly and it works really well on the other kids, hubby’s and my clothes too! Even though I do laundry about four days per week, this detergent lasts at least two months.
- Spend more quality time at home (we do this often) – family movie nights, evening walks, and of course having a sports fanatic husband, an energetic sports’ night is always top priority in our home!
Within the last 2 years, these 5 tips have helped me SAVE BIG $$$ for my household. How do you SAVE for yours? Please send in your tips!! We’d love to hear about them!
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to offer any advice, but intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. These are only our suggestions. We do not advocate any particular service or site.
Gurls Talk’n 
These were great suggestions. I’d love to add accepting “hand-me down” (toys) from friends and family, who have toddlers. Babies’ minds are seeking new and exciting things constantly so having a wide variety of attention grabbers is a big help.
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Yes so true Jete’!
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