Welcome, dear reader!
If you're reading this post, I'm guessing you are a mama or mama-to-be like me! I want to start off by saying congratulations on your new bundle of joy!
Babies can be overwhelming when you start looking at all the things you "need" to buy to be ready for this new addition to your family.
Having a baby is known for being expensive (at least here in the United States), especially when it comes to your first. You have to buy absolutely everything they need and there are no hand-me-downs or hold overs from previous children to rely on.
However, I am a firm believer that us frugal ladies are the most creative bunch that exists and when we set our minds to something, we can find a way to make the best of what we have at our disposal! 
Today I am going to be sharing some of the tips and tricks my husband and I are using to prepare for our first child (due in February 2024) but still stick to a tight budget. We are a single income family and have just completed a cross country move so to say things are a bit tight is probably an understatement!
We are up for the challenge and have found so many ways to save while getting everything we need for our little one, so I thought I would share some of our best tips and tricks so far!
Enjoy!
Ask family and friends for any items they aren't using
One of the best ways to save money is to not spend any in the first place!
In a polite and courteous manner, don't be afraid to make your needs known to family and friends. You'd be surprised at what people have and are willing to part with for little to no money at all.
Many new parents end up with a stockpile of items they just don't need. Some are given gifts at baby showers or by family members that they/their baby didn't like so they didn't end up using them. Others have received duplicate items from their baby registries.
Whatever the circumstance, many parents are more than willing to give away brand new or gently used baby items if someone would only ask. I've seen everything from boxes of diapers in the wrong size, to clothing, swings and rockers, cribs, etc. The list goes on and on!
Remember to always be polite and gracious when people do give you their hand-me-downs, even if it's not exactly what you expected or to your taste! This person is earnestly trying to help you as you begin your journey into motherhood and have taken time and energy out of their day to bring you something they hope will help.
You can always donate the item later if it isn't to your taste or preferences, but ALWAYS be sure to express your gratitude for their generosity! If the item is expensive or turns out to be incredibly useful, be sure to send a thank you card or some small gift of thanks in return!
Visit frequently at thrift stores or consignment shops
Although I've had some inconsistent results with this when shopping for my own baby (anyone who shops secondhand knows you don't always find something amazing every time you shop!), buying items secondhand can also be a real money saver when you do stumble across a wonderful treasure!
I've found glass baby bottles (new in box) and bottle warmers, breastfeeding pillows, baby clothes (with tags still attached!), white noise machines and so much more at the thrift stores near me. The key is to visit frequently and don't forget to shop sales at your secondhand shop!
The key to getting a great deal at the thrift store is making sure you check items over thoroughly before purchasing! Make sure all the parts needed are included (or at least be aware of what's NOT included) and everything is in good working order. Clothing items should be inspected closely for rips, tears, stains, pilling, etc. Carseats and cribs should be checked for recalls.
This may sound like a lot in the moment, but if you have a phone with internet this information can be found in just a few seconds.
Another great option, if you're looking for something a little more streamlined, is to visit a kid's consignment shop! These are stores specifically geared towards gently used items for babies and young children. They have everything from toys to high chairs to carseats, etc. etc.
You will have to decide for yourself what you think is worth buying secondhand vs. buying new, but for every dollar you save by purchasing gently used items, that's another dollar in your pocket to keep for the unexpected expenses you may have once baby arrives.
Check FB marketplace, eBay, Mercari, etc.
I think I probably have an unhealthy addiction to Facebook Marketplace at this point in my pregnancy... I scroll through Marketplace more than I scroll through social media, constantly looking for new listings and deals on baby things. Although it probably takes up an unhealthy amount of my life on certain days, we've found some amazing deals!
For example, we are planning on cloth diapering in our family, at least most of the time, and if you didn't know, cloth diapers are quite an investment when purchased new. Some can cost upwards of $15 EACH, a number that, quite frankly, makes me want to gag. I believe cloth diapers will save us several thousand dollars in the long run so I set to work researching and finding the most cost effective way to build our stash.
I. SCORED. BIG. TIME.
By shopping on Marketplace and eBay, I was able to find enough cloth diapers to build our entire stash (plus some) for less than $150. We ended up with over 40 cloth diapers with inserts (plus quite a few extra inserts) for that price. For reference, these would have cost AT LEAST $400-500 to purchase new - and that's just for the diapers! And most of them have barely been used or are brand new in the original packaging!
Cloth diapers are estimated to save the average family between $1200-3000 PER CHILD so we are already well on our way to saving big $$$
We also found a beautiful crib for $60 that was barely used because it was kept as a spare for spending time at a grandparent's house.
You never know what you are going to find, but similar to any other secondhand shopping you need to check frequently and if you are shopping locally on Marketplace or another selling site, you need to be prompt about picking up your items!
Keep a list of items you already have so you don't overbuy
Now's the time to put those nesting instincts to good use and get organized!
Find a way to keep track of items you have already acquired so that you don't end up purchasing more than you need of a particular item.
I find the easiest area to overbuy in is clothing and baby linens in general. Although baby clothes are just so cute and can be super inexpensive when getting them secondhand (almost everything I've bought so far is secondhand), anything you buy that is unnecessary is wasted money. No matter how cute it is.
Although this wasn't necessarily a purchasing problem, I want to tell a quick story about having more than you need because I think it fits well here.
Awhile back, I had purchased some fabric for making cloth wipes to go with our cloth diapers and recently I began making them. I had set an arbitrary number in my head (approx. 100 wipes) to make and about halfway through I decided to research how many most people need.
Do you know what I found? I only needed about 30-35 wipes on average. Some people enjoyed having some extra (they suggested 40-45) and others got by on significantly less!
If I had made all 100 wipes, not only would I have spent unecessary time making things I probably wouldn't use, but I also would have "wasted" materials I didn't need to - and therefore would have "spent" more on time and materials that I needed to.
Don't forget that your time is a valuable resource to consider too!
Research what you REALLY need for your baby - BEFORE you buy!
Research, research, research!
The Internet (and people in real life, let's be honest!) is full of "advice" about everything you absolutely, positively need when you have a baby and if you believe everything you read, you'll end up spending THOUSANDS of dollars on fancy, unnecessary baby things.
Instead, try to find mommy blogs that fit closely with your parenting style (or the style you realistically believe you will adopt when baby comes) and figure out what items they found to be most useful.
Read articles and blog posts about "What I Wish I Would Have Bought..." or "Things I Regret Buying For My Baby" to see if you find any themes or recurrent items popping up.
Ask trusted friends (again, preferably with a similar parenting style to you) what things they found most helpful and useful with their children.
Remember that all advice is just that - advice. It's just a suggestion of what may or may not work for your little one and you are the ultimate decision maker when it comes to your child.
Every child is different and will have different needs, preferences, schedules, etc so even the most common and trusted advice may not work for you and you have to find something totally different.
This advice is just to help you get started in your journey to become the best momma you can be for your little one (you're already doing great!) and assist you in weeding through the VAST amounts of information that is out there about what you need to take care of a baby.
Don't forget to budget for things needed for you after baby is born
Okay, here is one I NEVER see talked about and I think it is SO important to consider as you are preparing for baby : Make sure you budget for and consider what your needs and your family's needs will be AFTER baby is here!
I don't mean postpartum body care, although that is obviously quite important to prepare for! I'm talking about meals, house work, caring for other children and pets in the home, etc.
The biggest thing I see being a difficulty in our home, and I'm sure many others, during the newborn period is FOOD. Cooking and having lots of snacks and goodies on hand to help mealtimes flow easier when you are practically a zombie from waking at all hours of the night, no to mention when those breastfeeding munchies hit.
A tip I saw recently, which we plan on implementing, is to stock up on gift cards during the months before baby's arrival. GrubHub, Starbucks, or other restaurants near your home with pickup/delivery options, grocery stores, etc.
By having a stockpile of these on hand, it will be easier to justify using them! I know it sounds ridiculous (I can't be the only one though which is why I'm sharing this!) but I have a hard time spending money on "extravagances" like food delivery services and takeout so by having this money set apart and designated for this purpose, I believe it will ease the frugal part of my brain during the postpartum period.
Don't be afraid to ask for these during your baby shower too!
Baby showers exist to help new parents adjust and to gift them with things that will be useful during their transition into parenthood. Eating and food are certainly a necessity and something that can add quite a lot of stress to a family and/or relationship during postpartum (I think we've all experienced a "hangry" person! Not fun!).
Have fun & enjoy the process
This is such an exciting time for any family! You are welcoming a new little person into this lovely old world, whose life is full of endless possibilities.
Make sure you enjoy this precious time as much as you can. Indulge in a few super cute outfits or that special toy once in awhile.
Frugal living isn't just about how much money you can save. It's about knowing where to spend and where to save - and babies are a precious and fleeting gift. Although pregnancy feels like it lasts forever, the days fly by before you know it and one day you'll blink and your tiny newborn will be starting school and off to college.
Savor these precious months of pregnancy and infancy. They are sure to be filled with tough days, moments or even seasons, but bringing a new life into the world is a sacred and honorable task.
Well, my friends, that's all I've got for today.
I could go on and on about all the fun and interesting things we've learned over the past few months as we prepare to welcome our little one, but I don't want this blog post to turn into a novel.
Good luck, dear mama! You are doing so well already and that baby is so lucky to have YOU as their mother. You're doing a great job!
Until next time,
Kins
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