How to Save Money with a Baby

If you’re a parent, friends with a parent, or have any exposure to parents of babies, you know that they can be very expensive. Between diapers and wipes, clothes, food, and supplies, the price tags add up quickly. But providing for an infant doesn’t have to break the bank. Practice these tips to save some extra money on your baby needs!

1. Clip Coupons

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it can be extremely helpful. Many diaper companies have their own rewards programs, which allow you to clip coupons each time you buy, and save them up for additional savings. Several stores offer regular savings on baby supplies as well, depending on the week. Check the weekly ads before you shop, to ensure you’re getting the best price from the best store. Even better, if your local store offers price match, you can save yourself from multiple trips!

Many companies work together to offer discounts and freebies to new and expecting parents as well, which allows you to add up additional savings. Check out this article by the Penny Hoarder for a great collection of freebies and discounts.

2. Buy generic

If you’re trying to save on essentials with a baby, there’s no need to spend more on the name brand items, when the generic will serve the exact same purposes. Generic baby formula, for example, has the exact same ingredients as the big name brands, for a fraction of the price. The same goes for medications, supplements, and baby food.

Diapers, wipes, and other baby supplies can also be bought generic, for a fraction of the price. And with generic, the store often offers additional discounts when you purchase their branded product over the big brand name.

3. Stick to essentials

When it comes to providing for an infant, it may seem overwhelming. The amount of STUFF such a small human needs can seem a bit ridiculous. In reality, however, they don’t need everything advertised to them. The essentials are diapers, wipes, a bed, and food. If you’re like us, you don’t even need to purchase different soaps, laundry detergent, or cleaners – everything we already purchase is “free & clear”, designed for sensitive skin. As long as the detergents and soaps are free & clear, they are just as good to use as the baby brand detergents.

Although many of the other products may seem important, and often do come in handy, they are not an essential to caring for an infant. You can use household items just as easily as baby-specific ones. Bathing, towels, and food for example, can all be used with what you already have on hand. *this is outside of infant formula or breast milk – babies under 6 months of age require breast milk or formula for their nutrition*

There you have it! These are our tips for caring for an infant, on a budget. Keep in mind, we are not doctors or licensed care providers, and none of this advice takes the place of that provided by a pediatrician. These are just simple tricks we use to stretch our dollar with providing for a child.

What about you? Did we miss tips that you use in your household? What was your favorite tip? Let us know in the comments below.