How To Buy For A Baby On A Budget
Hello all! I’m Sally and I blog over at Life Loving. My blog is my way to inspire others to get out and about and enjoy life more. I live by the motto ‘ketchup tomorrow, relish today’. I’m due to become a first-time Mum in June, so the lovely Sarah has kindly let me put together a guest how I’m going to buy everything I need for my baby on a budget. Hopefully this will help you save a few pennies at this expensive time.
Let’s get this straight, when you’ve found out you are pregnant, you don’t have to go out and spend a fortune on all the kit that your baby will need. You just need to find the best equipment for the money you are spending. For example, look out for the offers on single to stroller prams, so you don’t need to purchase more than one item. Every saving you make will help you in the future. There’s plenty of ways that you can save money, whilst getting all the essentials.
Buy Second-Hand
You can easily spend over £1000 pounds on a travel system/pram/stroller if you go to your local department store, so why not think about buying a second-hand model? That way you can have a top of the range pram at a fraction of the cost. Does it really matter if it’s a model from three or four years ago? No, and your baby certainly won’t care. Make sure you take it fully apart, wash all the material parts at a 60 degree wash and then wipe all the other bits down with anti-bacterial spray, that way it will feel and smell like new. Also taking your pram apart will stand you in good stead, when you need to do it again once baby pukes or poos over it. That way you’ll already know how everything slots back together.
It’s not just the pram you can buy second-hand. Toys, clothes and even nursery furniture. Just make sure you clean and wash everything prior to using it on your baby. I use websites/apps like eBay, Facebay and Shpock, but Gumtree and Preloved are also good sites.
Never Buy Second Hand
There’s certain things that you shouldn’t buy second-hand. A car seat is one of these items. You need to make sure that the seat you have bought has never been in an accident, so buying a second-hand one won’t give you that assurance. Sure the person selling it may tell you that, but you don’t know them from the next person, so just buy a brand new one and make sure.
A cot mattress is another item you need to get brand new. There’s a link between second-hand mattresses and infant death, so just don’t take the risk. Also, think about it as an adult. Would you like to buy and sleep on a second-hand mattress?
Go To The Baby Shows
Baby shows are a great way of saving a bundle on those essential items you need. Often you can get two for one tickets, so team up with a friend and split the cost. You’ll only save money if you do your research in advance and make a list. Don’t be tempted to spend money on items that weren’t on the list. Also make sure you have your mobile handy, so you can compare the deals you find at the show with other websites, to ensure that you are getting the best deal.
Most of the time buying directly from the manufacturer at the show will be the best price but don’t always take it for granted it’s the best price out there. Also, don’t be tempted by bundles of items you don’t need. Just buy what you need.
Ask Family and Friends
One of the best ways of getting ready for your little arrival is by buying or borrowing items off family and friends. If someone you know has recently had a baby, chances are they have tonnes of stuff that their little one no longer uses or fits in to. If it’s a close friend or family member, they may well give you the items they no longer need. If so, don’t forget to thank them and also offer a thank you gift. I think a bottle of wine, a box of choccies or a gift voucher goes a long way.
If they have got a lot of items and they would normally sell them on, make them an offer. They’ll be pleased to get rid of the items in one bundle, so they’ll more than likely take a good offer on them. Finally, if you really are stuck for cash, ask if you can borrow the items. Things like baby baths, rockers and moses baskets become pretty redundant very quickly. Ask if you can borrow them for a couple of months and then return them (with a thank you note and/or gift).
Keep An Eye Out For The Sales
Plan ahead with what you need to buy and then just keep an eye on the sales. Do you research and know what is a good price and what is just marketing speak for not-that-much-of-a-discount. If you leave all the purchases to the last-minute, you’ll be forced into buying items that are at full price and you won’t have shopped around. Write a plan, take note of the normal selling price and then sign up to all the baby manufacturers/baby stores newsletters. That way you’ll be the first to know if there’s a sale on the item you need. Act fast as some items sell out quickly. Baby events like the ones held at supermarkets Aldi and Lidl are pretty good for bargains. But get there early so you can get the items you need and once again stick to the list.
What other tips do you have for keeping to a budget when getting all the gear needed for a new arrival? If you want to get in touch, you can do so via my socials. I’d love to hear from you.
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