Savvy Ways to Save with a New Baby

How much will your new baby cost?

Well, this depends on you. According to the Australia Institute of Family Studies, new parents will spend anywhere from $3,000 to $13,000 on their first baby in the first year. Where you fall in this range will depend on how savvy you are during your pregnancy and baby’s first year. Below are some ways to save your cents while pregnant and during the first year.

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Sign up Member Benefits

Spend a day registering your email address for various nappies, wipes, clothing and other baby brand companies. Why? Because you will receive emails, coupons and special discounts on everyday items that you will need down the road. Many of these coupons can be redeemed at any store that sells these items simply by printing them out.

More Reading: 50+ Things To Get Done at Home Before Your Baby Arrives

Do Surveys and Studies

Another way you can make a little money or save down the road is to register for pregnancy and new mum surveys and studies. These usually involve a fifteen-minute phone interview or an online survey to fill out about your pregnancy or delivery. You may be required to do a follow-up survey a few months later. However, for your time you can expect a gift of some sort, such as a $50 gift card to Coles.

More Reading: 10+ Online Survey Sites That Pay You For Your Opinion

Home-brand Buying Power

Don’t give in to the advertisements when it comes to baby items. Test it out yourself to see if you notice the difference. Buying home brand nappies can save you around $10 per box which will add up to hundreds of dollars by the end of the year. This is also the case with other baby-related products, from clothing to wipes, from bottles to dummies.

More Reading: Where to Buy Cheap Nappies Online in Australia

Shop Now, Buy Later

Hit up your local Babies R Us and Baby Bunting and have a look around. Take a few photos of the different items you love and what they cost. Then, keep an eye out on second-hand sites and garage sales for these items. Buying second hand is by far the easiest way to save for all your baby-related items, from nursery items to clothes, toys to books.

Enter Competitions

Baby expos and baby markets are popular in cities and towns across Australia. There is a good chance that there will be a baby-related trade show event coming your way at least once during baby’s first year. Have a look around but instead of buying, enter the competitions and take advantage of all the samples on offer. You never know, you could get a phone call saying you have won free groceries for the next year or that you are the lucky winner of a family holiday to Fiji!

When you are at home with your little one during the day it can be pretty boring remaining in the house all day long. As your baby starts to develop and explore their world, it can be fun for both of you to do some outside activities. However, a lot of the baby-related activities, such as infant music classes and baby movement groups, will cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per session! There are plenty of free activities and programs to consider as well. Check with your local health clinics, the local Council website and any non-for-profit associations in your community.

Some of the programs that are free and great for babies including library storytime and rhyme time, baby massage courses, playgroups and stroller walking clubs.

A new baby is always going to cost you money, but you can do it on the cheap with a bit of thought!