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How To Save Money When You Have a Baby
HOW TO 
Tags: baby, children, parenting, money, saving, budget, frugal
If you have a baby and are broke, or just frugal, these tips will help you save money.
| | Breastfeed. And splurge on a good quality breast pump, in the long run it's still cheaper than formula. Your insurance company or even WIC may cover some, or all, of the cost of your pump. |
| | If you can't breastfeed or choose not to, hit your doctor up for formula samples. Join the "club" of whatever formula maker you use - Similac Strong Moms, Enfamil Family Beginnings or Nestle Good Start's Very Best Baby. They'll send you checks toward formula purchases, coupons for other baby products and occasional mailings with feeding and parenting tips. Or try store brand formula, like Walmart's Parents Choice or Member's Mark from Sam's Club. |
| | When it's time to start solid foods, consider making your own baby food at home. It's not that difficult to steam and puree carrots. If you want to use commercially-available baby food, go to the brand's website and sign up to receive coupons and special offers. |
| | Use Luvs diapers - they're cheaper than Pampers or Huggies, higher quality than store brands. Sign up at Luvs.com and they'll email you coupons. Or consider using cloth diapers. |
| | Use store brand baby wipes. Or use a damp washcloth when changing diapers at home. |
| | Skip the "travel system" strollers. Instead get a stroller frame like a Snap N Go or Graco SnugRider that will accommodate your infant car seat. Then get an umbrella stroller with a canopy and storage basket for $25-50. |
| | Speaking of strollers, forget about Bugaboo. They're made in Taiwan just like every other stroller. Brands like Graco, Evenflo, Cosco, etc. make perfectly good strollers. There's no need to buy into that "stroller envy" B.S. |
| | One word: Craigslist! Great way to find low-cost, gently-used baby clothes and gear. Just don't buy a used crib or car seat. |
| | Don't bother with "newborn" sizes unless you have reason to expect a small or premature baby. Baby clothes don't have to fit like gloves. It's perfectly legal to put an 8-lb baby in 3 month-size pajamas. |
| | Don't bother with burp cloths. Cloth diapers and receiving blankets will take care of spit-up. |
| | Forget about Dreft. Just use a dye-free, fragrance-free laundry detergent, like Tide Free or All Free & Clear. |
| | Read the book "Baby Bargains" by Denise and Alan Fields. Wish I'd read this before we registered! |
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