How to Save Money on Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers can save you money ($20 a week on diapers), especially when you have more than one child who will use them, but there is usually a large cash outlay in the beginning to purchase all of those cloth diapers. Most parents who use cloth diapers spend around $300 for them. Here are some ways to reduce that cost. Buy Used Some people get squeamish about buying used diapers, so you will have to determine if you fit into this category before you seriously start looking for used diapers. That said, if cloth diapers are washed quickly in hot … Continue reading →

Getting Ready for Outgrown Sales

I have to confess that I am very excited about tomorrow. That is because two of the biggest children’s outgrown sales are taking place in my area. These outgrown sales are a great way to pick up plenty of bargains and fill in the wardrobes for my children. There are also plenty of toys, books and games to be had as well. Today I sat down to make a list of the needs for the kids. This is important because it helps me avoid buying things that we don’t really need and forgetting things that we really do. For example, … Continue reading →

Reducing the Cost of Raising a Child

If you read yesterday’s post, you know the estimated cost of raising a child. Now, I’ll take those expenses as outlined by Bankrate and go through some ways of reducing them. Let’s look at some of these expenses and general ways to cut them down. Obviously each person’s situation is different, but these are some ideas to help. Groceries: cook from scratch, use coupons, avoid convenience foods, and make your own lunches. Clothing: Take advantage of hand-me-downs, used clothing sales ad ear-end discounts. Bigger home: Bunk two children in one room, reduce the clutter in your current home to make … Continue reading →

The Breakdown Cost of Raising a Child

We always hear all of these scary numbers about how expensive it is to raise a child. Unfortunately those numbers can be pretty accurate or even a little bit under, depending on your lifestyle. It is enough for some couples to decide not to have children at all. I’m glad I didn’t know about these numbers when we first started our family, because I might have panicked! Bankrate.com has broken down the numbers for the cost of raising a child based on the total cost released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These numbers apply to an average family making … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Kids Pajamas

Do you want to cut down on your expenses? Every little bit counts, and the $50-$100 or more you’ll save every year on kids pajamas can go toward other things you need or just in savings to build up your emergency fund. With three kids, I’ve learned some tricks about saving money on pajamas. Here are my tips. Buy every other size Children grow quickly, so for pajamas, I always skip a size. because this is night time wear, the pajamas don’t have to fit perfectly. Also, most pajamas are pretty roomy width- wise, so even the smaller sizes aren’t … Continue reading →

The Best Prices on Disposable Diapers Today

Sales and coupons aside, there are times when we just need to pick up diapers at the store. Often, we don’t have time to do all of the coupon cutting and sale shopping that is required for getting a good deal. Or, we find ourselves with one diaper left (an emergency situation) and we would almost gladly pay any price just to have a package of them magically appear. Stocking up when we do come across sales is often difficult to do with diapers, since babies outgrown sizes unpredictably, and then there is the matter of potty training. While I’ve … Continue reading →

Save Money on Baby Food

Let’s face it. Feeding a tiny baby can be expensive. Those little jars of food certainly add up quickly. If you are ready to start your baby on solid food, read these tips to help you save money, as much as 50 percent or more on baby food. The first thing to know about saving money on baby food is to not overbuy. It is easy to get caught up in selecting a large variety of those little jars. start out slowly at first. Once your baby is used to baby food and you learn your baby’s favorites, then you … Continue reading →

Toy Waste

Yesterday, I had a nice visit with a new friend and fellow mom. She is a great person, and I am glad to have met her. In the course of our conversation, we talked about how many toys our children have and the need to purge toys when the youngest of our broods outgrow them. My new friend told me that she was in a quandary. She wanted to recycle some of the toys but didn’t think that the hard plastic would be taken by the recycling center. Instead, she said, she was forced to throw the toys out. Well, … Continue reading →

Your $10,000 Baby (2)

Did you know that the average family will spend approximately $10,000 for their baby before it even reaches two years old? We are covering some tips to reduce that $10,000 cost of a child. If you missed the first article in the series, click here: Your $10,000 Baby. Do without the plethora of “necessary items.” Among the things you can do without: a changing table (use a bed, the floor or mount a pad on a dresser), a diaper stacker (just keep the diapers in a closed drawer or shelf away from view or in a basket), a wipe warmer … Continue reading →

Your $10,000 Baby

Did you know that the average family will spend approximately $10,000 for their baby before it even reaches two years old? This is what the studies say (the most recent one was conducted by MSN). Does it make you want to rethink parenthood? Probably not, since these precious children are worth much more. But, we can still drastically reduce that dollar amount in several ways. Here are some tips. Breastfeed if you can. Breastfeeding is free and healthy for both baby and mom. In fact, studies show that breastfed infants had a reduced healthcare cost of almost $1,500! The cost … Continue reading →