Preparing for Baby - Easy Budgeting Tips

Since it is the season of babies, I wanted to share some tips that I learned from other mommies that worked wonderfully.

1.  Every time you go to the grocery store during your pregnancy, buy a box of diapers and wipes.  Tape the receipts to the boxes, so if you need a different brand or size once baby comes along, you can easily exchange it for the right one.  I did this for almost every grocery store visit, and I haven't had the need to buy diapers or wipes for Henry yet.  He is 9 months old next week.  (This also save the hassle of trying to budget for diapers.  You can use this extra padding in your budget to buy other baby necessities, like formula, clothing, or baby food.)

2.  Shop end-of-season clearance sales to stock up on the next year.  This can get tricky since you have to guess sizing for the following months, but it never hurts to buy bigger.  I've found that some stores have awesome deals for inventory they're trying to push.  (In-store clearances tend to have better deals than online, since they need to push the inventory for "real-estate" space in the store.)

• Old Navy Baby
• Baby Gap
• Target - Baby  (I've bought multiple shirts, jackets, and pants for $2.70 at Target sales.)
• Carter's
• Babies 'R Us

3.  Request baby books at your shower instead of cards, with  a personal note in the front cover.  Many books can be purchased for cheap prices at dollar stores, Wal-Mart, Target, used books stores, or many of the above listed stores in the baby section.  This way the cards won't be lost in storage, and your child will have a lifetime reminder of the wonderful people who loved him before he was even born.

4.  Gather all of you mom friends together (or find new ones with play date, church, or La Leche League groups) for a co-op.  Trading gently used clothing and toys for babysitting time, other needed items, homemade gifts etc.  I've used a few photography sessions to trade for baby clothes, toys, and babysitting time!  (It's a great currency.)  Items can be easily cycled to maximize its life, and you have a great built-in support group.

Congrats on your addition and may it be the beginning of your happily ever after.