This is a guest post from my friend Cherie. Since 2008, Cherie Lowe has been confidently wearing a plastic crown and encouraging others to dream big dreams. Together with her husband, Brian, Cherie paid off $127,482.30 in a little under four years. She scribed the ups and downs of their debt-slaying journey on her popular website, www.QueenOfFree.net. Cherie is also the author of “Slaying the Debt Dragon.” (You can check out my review of her book here, and you can find her book online here.) She has graciously agreed to contribute a money-saving post to my “5 Tips” series!
Hooray, you are a first time mama. My heart is overjoyed for you. Thirteen years ago, I stood in your shoes – a mixture of excited and terrified. Motherhood has changed my character and opened my eyes in ways unexpected. I’ve been overwhelmed by grace and experienced depths of love I never knew possible. And I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two.
When we first discovered we were expecting, my husband and I made a very rookie mistake. We went to the nearest baby superstore and gazed at the racks, spread as far as the eye could see. Aisle after aisle after aisle stuffed with gadgets and gear, diapers and doo-dads. Each adorable item neatly packaged and displayed, screamed you need me NOW.
I nearly passed out when I saw how expensive tiny people can be. However, I managed to learn a tip or two (some by complete errors) that helped us save a bundle. Without further ado, here are five money saving tips for new moms.
1. Take an experienced mother with you to register.
If you haven’t already, be smart enough to take a seasoned mama with you to register for baby shower items. She will know better than you what you will and won’t use and keep you from putting big ticket items on the registry that an infant will outgrow in two weeks’ time.
If I could stroll the aisles with you, I’d encourage you to scan practical items – wipes, shampoo, diapers, Aquaphor or diaper cream, nursing pads, and other items that you’ll burn through in no time flat. Sure, the cute little suit or darling dress will look adorable; however, you don’t need those clothes as much as you do the more day-to-day items.
2. Buy used baby gear (most of the time).
Your sweet little offspring doesn’t need everything brand new from the package. Some large pieces of baby gear can be purchased used and still be more than suitable for use. Furniture – changing tables, dressers, cribs, and pack-n-plays – or baby gear like strollers, high chairs, swings, or bouncy seats – are all great finds via Facebook garage sale groups, Craigslist, or consignment stores.
I’d advise against purchasing used crib mattresses or car seats. Check the model numbers of anything you purchase for recalls or safety concerns.
3. Use Amazon Mom.
If you choose to use disposable diapers, you definitely need to check out Amazon Mom. This subscription-based program typically allows you a 30 day trial period to check out its services (just be sure you unsubscribe before it charges you the yearly $99 fee).
You’ll receive special coupons and discounts on baby products. Plus, diaper subscriptions are 20% off if you are a member. You’ll also have all of the Amazon Prime benefits – free 2 day shipping and unlimited music and video streaming.
Not only can you get name brand diapers at a better price online than in stores, but Amazon is also beginning to carry a new line of generic diapers and wipes – Amazon Elements.
I found I saved more money by purchasing diapers online than in the stores. Many times, I’d run to the store “just” to buy diapers but came out with a cart full of items that I didn’t really need.
4. Make your own baby food.
When my youngest child was a baby six years ago, it was still pretty revolutionary to make your own baby food. Now much more commonplace, there are entire blending systems devoted to helping you make smooshed veggies for your sweetie.
In my day (she said in a grandma voice) I primarily used my slow cooker to cook frozen and fresh veggies all day long and then used a small $4 food processer to pulverize them. After they were a smooth consistency, I poured the puree into an ice cube tray and froze individual portions. I simply heated up a cube whenever it was time to eat. We discovered that we all enjoyed homemade pear sauce during the process and still eat it upon occasion even though none of us are babies anymore.
As a side note, you also don’t need baby applesauce. Most babies can eat unsweetened jarred applesauce.
5. Question everything.
So I’m not a conspiracy theorist but I once received a recipe booklet from a formula company filled with delicious dishes. But each of the recipes included ingredients (garlic, eggs, broccoli) that sounded amazing but I knew would give my daughter gas and make nursing difficult. Something smelled fishy.
Baby products are big business. You will have more glossy advertisements, tear-jerking commercials, and enticements like coupons, discounts, and sales marketed toward you right now than at any other period in your life. Everyone wants a piece of your money and sometimes that pursuit is laced with messages that will question your love for your child if you don’t buy, buy, buy.
Even well meaning fellow mamas will convince you must or should never purchase a particular item. Question everything. You are incredibly intelligent. You have the Internet at your fingers. Investigate your purchases and make your best decision.
You don’t need everything. The best purchases are not always the most expensive (or the cheapest) and you are the best person to make the best decisions for your baby and your bank account.
There is much to be learned as a new mom but I know you are up to the task. Someday, you will have so much wisdom to lend to other women traveling the same road. Grace and peace to you as you dive into the next step in your journey.
Want to hear more from Cherie? You can join the court of the Queen of Free on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest to find practical, money-saving tips and daily inspiration to slay the debt dragon. Find out more about her family’s story in the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, Redbook magazine, AOL Daily Finance, NBC News, and more. Cherie and Brian reside in Greenwood, Indiana, along with their daughters, Anna and Zoe.
More in the “5 Tips For New Moms” series:
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