Parenting on Pennies
Hi, friends! As promised in my last post, I thought I would share some ideas about how to save money on your kiddos while parenting. Now, please understand that my only child is less than one year old, but hopefully some of these ideas can be translated and used with older kids.
Saying "no" to the useless items
I've done two posts on baby registry items/items that make great purchases for baby showers (you can see those here and here). When you generate a registry, many times items are recommended to you that aren't truly needed. These products take up space and are taking up the spot of other things that are truly needed like diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. Plus, most of us simply have too much stuff! If you have some of the items listed below, it's no big deal at all. There are plenty of people who find these things useful. I simply want us to think about all the extra stuff we are bringing into our lives when it typically isn't necessary. When a baby enters the picture, stuff follows right behind! *No, I haven't watched the Netflix show about cutting clutter, but it sounds exactly like how we live our lives in the first place.* Leave the extra stuff off the registry. My first example is:
1. The Bottle Warmer.
These products can cost anywhere from $30 - $50. You know what works in its place? Hot water from a Keurig (or similar coffee machine) in a cup. Place bottle in cup. Swirl around. You know what else works in its place? Running warm water and swirling the bottle around under the water. You know what else works here? Heating water on the stove in a small saucepan with the bottle inside. You get the idea. Also, some babies don't mind to drink the milk cold. The JuJuBe never cared one way or the other about milk temperature.
2. The Wipes Warmer
This item also retails around $30. New babies hate cold wipes. New babies hate warm wipes. New babies don't care to get a diaper change at all. It's a phase. It passes. This is another gadget that isn't truly needed.
3. Pacifier Wipes
Yes, you should be concerned about germs. No, you shouldn't lick your baby's dropped binky and give it back. Warm, soapy water works just fine here. Use a pacifier clip. Carry a back up. Carry Water Wipes - these are terrific wipes that are all purpose. Don't waste your dollars on pacifier wipes. They're unnecessary.
4. Tons of Nursery Decor
Oh boy. I may catch a lot of flack with this one. Please understand that I put the emphasis on tons. Again, most of us have way, way, WAY too much stuff! I think adding some nursery decor isn't a bad plan at all. Just try not to overdo it and try to use items that could be repurposed down the road. Full disclosure: I am in no way, shape or form a decorator. This is not a talent I possess. There are some wonderful nurseries that are beautifully decorated. However, there are times baby may not even be in the nursery much to enjoy the decorations. Mr. Pennies was one of these babies. My mother-in-law stenciled and took great effort and time to prepare his nursery. To this day, she swears he never spent a night in there. Plus, at some point, it's time to redo the nursery into a room that a little girl or little boy will enjoy.
5. Don't create a registry beyond Baby #1
Oh me...another touchy subject. I know, when you have a baby of a different gender, you do need baby clothes. You may even need some new baby clothes when you have a baby of the same gender but in a different season! However, I am from the old school of Southern etiquette where we don't throw a baby shower or have a baby registry baby beyond the first one. Somewhere along the way, it became the thing to have showers for each baby, and yes, that is a very kind thing to do. And I know, it's usually not the Mom throwing herself a shower. It's friends or family who insist upon doing so. However, I still think that most things from your first little one should be repurposed and passed down. No baby shower is really needed beyond the first. If people ask you what they can get you as a gift, ask for diapers and wipes or even some clothes for the little one in bigger sizes. You'll need them! And don't forget to send a thank you note!
Other parenting money savers:
Cold, wet washcloths for teething babes:
This is a tip from my mom. She relied on this trick to get us through the rough days of cutting teeth. Pop a cold wash cloth in a ziploc baggie, place in freezer, remove when needed. Thanks for the genius idea, mom!
Yoga mats instead of floor mats:
As baby is becoming more mobile, you don't really need to invest in the pull apart floor tiles. We have a set and they leave the floor dangerously slick once they're moved. Plus, The JuJuBe loves pulling them apart and keeping the pieces as trophies. Just repurpose some old yoga mats if you have them. We have these in The JuJuBe's room and they work great!
Baby-led weaning:
This has been a major, major money saver! This is where you (within reason) introduce baby to foods that you are eating. No, we don't give her hard things, but instead we find ways to incorporate great introductory foods such as avocado, hard-boiled egg yolk, and steamed sweet potatoes into our meals. We aren't a die-hard BLW family. I still purchase puffs, a few pouches, and some other "baby" snacks that I can send with her on the days when I teach. I can tell you though that we spend a lot less at the grocery because we don't generally purchase baby-only foods.
Childcare swapping:
This is genius. Do you know another couple with a baby or kiddo around your little one's age that you can trust? Do they trust you? Great. Arrange to cover each other's childcare once or twice a month. Trade with each other so you can go on a date with your spouse. Dating your spouse is crucial. You have to make time for each other. Babies and kids are masters of hypnosis. They will suck you in and make you forget that the land of grownups exists. Don't forget about the land of grownups. Visit it every once in awhile with the person you love most.
For nursing moms:
If you don't have reusable breast pads (though you should definitely register for some or purchase some), you can cut panty liners to fit the inside of your bra. One of my girlfriends told me about this idea and I thought it was genius! Because let's face it, we've all sprung leaks before!
Another tip for nursing moms: take an old sports bra and cut slits in it for hands-free pumping. It may not be the most glamorous look, but are you really looking for glamour while pumping? Didn't think so!
Thank you for stopping by! I'll see you next time.
Saying "no" to the useless items
I've done two posts on baby registry items/items that make great purchases for baby showers (you can see those here and here). When you generate a registry, many times items are recommended to you that aren't truly needed. These products take up space and are taking up the spot of other things that are truly needed like diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. Plus, most of us simply have too much stuff! If you have some of the items listed below, it's no big deal at all. There are plenty of people who find these things useful. I simply want us to think about all the extra stuff we are bringing into our lives when it typically isn't necessary. When a baby enters the picture, stuff follows right behind! *No, I haven't watched the Netflix show about cutting clutter, but it sounds exactly like how we live our lives in the first place.* Leave the extra stuff off the registry. My first example is:
1. The Bottle Warmer.
These products can cost anywhere from $30 - $50. You know what works in its place? Hot water from a Keurig (or similar coffee machine) in a cup. Place bottle in cup. Swirl around. You know what else works in its place? Running warm water and swirling the bottle around under the water. You know what else works here? Heating water on the stove in a small saucepan with the bottle inside. You get the idea. Also, some babies don't mind to drink the milk cold. The JuJuBe never cared one way or the other about milk temperature.
2. The Wipes Warmer
This item also retails around $30. New babies hate cold wipes. New babies hate warm wipes. New babies don't care to get a diaper change at all. It's a phase. It passes. This is another gadget that isn't truly needed.
3. Pacifier Wipes
Yes, you should be concerned about germs. No, you shouldn't lick your baby's dropped binky and give it back. Warm, soapy water works just fine here. Use a pacifier clip. Carry a back up. Carry Water Wipes - these are terrific wipes that are all purpose. Don't waste your dollars on pacifier wipes. They're unnecessary.
4. Tons of Nursery Decor
Oh boy. I may catch a lot of flack with this one. Please understand that I put the emphasis on tons. Again, most of us have way, way, WAY too much stuff! I think adding some nursery decor isn't a bad plan at all. Just try not to overdo it and try to use items that could be repurposed down the road. Full disclosure: I am in no way, shape or form a decorator. This is not a talent I possess. There are some wonderful nurseries that are beautifully decorated. However, there are times baby may not even be in the nursery much to enjoy the decorations. Mr. Pennies was one of these babies. My mother-in-law stenciled and took great effort and time to prepare his nursery. To this day, she swears he never spent a night in there. Plus, at some point, it's time to redo the nursery into a room that a little girl or little boy will enjoy.
5. Don't create a registry beyond Baby #1
Oh me...another touchy subject. I know, when you have a baby of a different gender, you do need baby clothes. You may even need some new baby clothes when you have a baby of the same gender but in a different season! However, I am from the old school of Southern etiquette where we don't throw a baby shower or have a baby registry baby beyond the first one. Somewhere along the way, it became the thing to have showers for each baby, and yes, that is a very kind thing to do. And I know, it's usually not the Mom throwing herself a shower. It's friends or family who insist upon doing so. However, I still think that most things from your first little one should be repurposed and passed down. No baby shower is really needed beyond the first. If people ask you what they can get you as a gift, ask for diapers and wipes or even some clothes for the little one in bigger sizes. You'll need them! And don't forget to send a thank you note!
Other parenting money savers:
Cold, wet washcloths for teething babes:
This is a tip from my mom. She relied on this trick to get us through the rough days of cutting teeth. Pop a cold wash cloth in a ziploc baggie, place in freezer, remove when needed. Thanks for the genius idea, mom!
Yoga mats instead of floor mats:
As baby is becoming more mobile, you don't really need to invest in the pull apart floor tiles. We have a set and they leave the floor dangerously slick once they're moved. Plus, The JuJuBe loves pulling them apart and keeping the pieces as trophies. Just repurpose some old yoga mats if you have them. We have these in The JuJuBe's room and they work great!
Baby-led weaning:
This has been a major, major money saver! This is where you (within reason) introduce baby to foods that you are eating. No, we don't give her hard things, but instead we find ways to incorporate great introductory foods such as avocado, hard-boiled egg yolk, and steamed sweet potatoes into our meals. We aren't a die-hard BLW family. I still purchase puffs, a few pouches, and some other "baby" snacks that I can send with her on the days when I teach. I can tell you though that we spend a lot less at the grocery because we don't generally purchase baby-only foods.
Childcare swapping:
This is genius. Do you know another couple with a baby or kiddo around your little one's age that you can trust? Do they trust you? Great. Arrange to cover each other's childcare once or twice a month. Trade with each other so you can go on a date with your spouse. Dating your spouse is crucial. You have to make time for each other. Babies and kids are masters of hypnosis. They will suck you in and make you forget that the land of grownups exists. Don't forget about the land of grownups. Visit it every once in awhile with the person you love most.
For nursing moms:
If you don't have reusable breast pads (though you should definitely register for some or purchase some), you can cut panty liners to fit the inside of your bra. One of my girlfriends told me about this idea and I thought it was genius! Because let's face it, we've all sprung leaks before!
Another tip for nursing moms: take an old sports bra and cut slits in it for hands-free pumping. It may not be the most glamorous look, but are you really looking for glamour while pumping? Didn't think so!
Thank you for stopping by! I'll see you next time.
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