How to Have a Baby With Almost No Expenses in the First Year is a question many people ask themselves when family planning.
These answers and ideas were shared with us by Valerie of Smart Mom Finance. Valerie is no longer blogging. Her advice however remains true and useful.
Let’s jump right into these 6 Baby Budgeting Tips!
Baby Shower
Invite everyone who cares about you because they all want to shower you and the baby with gifts. And the more people you have…the more gifts your baby receives. Maybe even post on social media that if you forgot anyone (pregnancy brain), to please message you so you can send them an invite. This may also remind out of state loved ones to send you a gift from your registry!
Register for essentials too like baby soap, medicine/Tylenol, laundry detergent and gift cards. And save those gift cards because you may need them more in a few months than you do before the baby comes. Try not to register for the frivolous stuff on the so-called “necessities list” from the Baby Stores. Instead, bring an experienced mom with you, to help guide and explain. And don’t feel bad exchanging gifts from your shower, especially if you get too many outfits in the 3 month old size, and need more 12 month old ones.
Continue Reading for all 6 Tips
Shirley Wood
Hi, I'm Shirley; recipe creator, crafting enthusiast and penny pincher from way back. Join me on my journey of domestic living and isn't everything domestic!
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Erin jordan says
Yes breastfeeding is the best way to save money bc it’s free. I was also on wic. Which is income based. but if you can get that it helps. And hand me downs rock. I didn’t have to buy my son clothes till he was almost a year. I only bought bc I wanted to. Also grandma’s who spoil their grandkids also helps. Lol if I never bought my son a single thing he would still have enough.
rebeca says
Great tips! We are having 2 baby showers one for family and one for friends. Also it helps me that they offered to do it so nothing out of pocket for me, and we are doing a diaper raffle at our local gym! 🙂
Ruth Anne says
I’ve thrown lots of baby showers and my friend is about to do one for my second. I have always had the “mom” make a wish list to attach to the invite. I put needs first and then wants. I know sometimes ppl dont have time to go through your registry.
Shirley Wood says
That is a fabulous idea for the baby shower invitation. Thanks for sharing that one with us!
Kim says
I highly, highly suggest also checking to see if there’s a Freecycle group in your area. I was able to get a few toys, lots of receiving blankets, and a nice collection of clothes and bottles from moms just looking to donate the items they were done with. All for free! 🙂
Shirley Wood says
Kim, that is a great suggestion! I have not checked Freecycle in a long time but I used to donate through Freecycle. I picked up some free packing supplies once that way! Thanks for taking the time to share 🙂
Heather Johnson says
I would not count on a baby shower. That makes you sound like a greedy gift grabber, which is not cool. I personally shopped secondhand for most of my baby things. I spend under $400 for EVERYTHING, many of which I used beyond the first year. Cloth diapers can also save you a ton of money.
Shirley Wood says
Heather, I don’t think Valerie really meant to sound like a greedy gift grabber. Baby showers are really quite common still. Most people don’t host their own showers of any kind but I think she meant when providing information to the hostess. Valerie’s shower ideas sound like a lot of fun! I had never heard of a diaper raffle before but would love to be a part of one at a future baby shower. I love new ideas.
Thanks for the cloth diaper suggestion. I couldn’t agree more.
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Heather! Thanks for commenting! I think more people give gifts at baby showers for the BABY…not for the “greedy” moms…lol. I love to buy gifts for new babies and I love to accept the gifts on behalf of my own baby! Not about greed, I just feel like my baby deserves everything my friends and family want to give! PS love the idea of cloth diapering to save money! That is another great one! Thanks! ~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com
Marisa Johnson says
Some of these are really good tips. I thank you for stressing the safety of car seats. One thing you probably want to add is something regarding all of the recalls on carseats (also how drop down side cribs should no longer be used). My biggest problem with this article is you hardly get anything you register for at a baby shower. I just had my second back in January and the amount of ungrateful Mom’s moaning about their lack of stuff at their baby shower was just sickening. The baby shower I had with my oldest was one of the happiest days of my life. It was not about the gifts. It was about my friends coming to celebrate the amazing little person who was about to enter the world. I think this article is leading new moms to be that parenting can be inexpensive. I’m a very frugal person, and even I know how much bills have gone up, by just having another blessing.
One tip I will gladly share for fellow Mommy’s is don’t skimp on the baby wipes. I prefer using name brand because I can rip the wipe in half making it last longer. I have found with 5 years of diapering experience that you will have diaper blowouts with every single brand of diaper, so don’t worry about using a cheaper brand.
Shirley Wood says
Sometimes people don’t shop from registries. I have been guilty of that myself because I wanted the gift to be a surprise and I enjoyed the shopping process. You are so right, everyone purchasing any type of baby product should always check the recall list no matter if it is new or used.
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Marisa! THanks so much for commenting! Feel free to check out more money saving ideas at my site! And you are very welcome for mentioning the safety of car seats! Some people don’t know that car seats have expiration dates! I love to educate frugal spenders too!
~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com 🙂
Megan says
forget about baby wipes altogether. Buy a big pack of washcloths. Wet one with warm water and use that to wipe baby. Pop it in a bin and wash them with bleach a couple times a week. They make clean up one hundred times better and are loads cheaper.
Rene Shonerd says
I sold all my baby gear (strollers, car seats, bouncy seats, swings, highchairs, etc) on Craigslist. In hindsight, I wish I would have bought the baby stuff second hand. You use these things for such a short amount of time.
Shirley Wood says
The folks who bought your baby gear were being wise shoppers! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Rene.
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Rene, thanks for commenting. THat is a great point too! After a mom is done with the baby items, they can regain some of their spending by selling the used stuff too! Might as well pass along the savings and earn some back! Thanks!
~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com
lisa says
Hand-me-downs are the best! Usually babies and toddlers outgrow stuff as opposed to wearing the out. Great post!
Shirley Wood says
I couldn’t agree more. My daughter has 5 children. Hand me downs are essential to save the budget. She is an avid and excellent thrift shopper too! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Lisa.
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Lisa! Hand me downs are amazing! I love passing around clothes through our cousins! THanks for reading!
~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Goodness, I am pinning this post! We are hoping for a baby soon, and this is full of great info, thank you!
Valerie SmartMomFinance says
Looks great!!!! Thanks so much for collaborating!!!! I love the look and how you made the titles colored!! I have so much to learn from you!! Thanks again!! I love your website!!
-Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com
It was a pleasure working with you!!!!
Shirley Wood says
Thanks to your for writing a thoughtful post about being frugal with great tips for families! I look forward to networking with you in the future and reading more great posts with money saving tips! It has been a joy to work with you, Valerie. I will be seeing you more in the blogesphere 🙂
Jenn says
Also making your own baby food is so much healthier and almost free! Puree and freeze if you want, or just make along with your own meals… Some fruits and veggies do need to be cooked, there’s plenty of resources for that, but no preservatives or chemicals or expensive costs!
Shirley Wood says
Great tip Jenn. Thanks for sharing. I completely agree with you. Making your own baby food is a great idea. You will have much better control over the ingredients your baby is exposed to as well.
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Jenn, Thanks for he extra tip! That is a great one too! I made my own baby food for a while too! Great money saving idea!
~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com
Alli says
Great tips on saving after having a baby! Baby clothes are not an investment and they grow out of them so quickly. I remember sending all of my hand me downs to my sister and she really appreciated them all. And breastfeeding is always best!
Shirley Wood says
I agree Alli. Hand me downs was a family tradition when I was raising my girls. It always makes me smile when the cousins, sisters and all family members make it a point to share with one another like that. I never considered that it was possible to actually be so frugal the first year of having a new baby but Valerie’s tips are all good! Yes, I agree, breastfeeding is best for the baby and the family budget!
Valerie SmartMomFInance says
Hi Alli! Thanks for commenting! And for letting me join in on the pintastic party! Yes…Breast is Best as they always say 🙂
~Valerie @ http://www.smartmomfinance.com