6 Tips That Can Help Parents Save Money On Baby Gear
You may have heard that babies are expensive. And it’s true! The average cost of raising a child to age 18 is around $200,000. But paying more for the gear you don’t need doesn’t make sense when there are plenty of ways to save money on baby gear.
Here are seven tips on how parents can save money on baby gear.
- Rent Things
One of the better ways to save money on baby gear is to rent things that can be rented. Of course, you still have to buy a lot of things, but there are some bigger things that can be rented.
You can rent a crib, car seat, stroller, and even Snoo. If you were wondering whether to rent or buy Snoo, think about your needs first. The pros of renting are that it can save money and allow families to be more flexible rather than being stuck with one item because they bought it
- Buy Secondhand
If you don’t want to pay top dollar to get everything new, try buying secondhand items. You can buy used toys at consignment shops and thrift stores. You can also find secondhand items on websites like eBay and Craigslist.
A lot of parents even sell their gently used baby gear online, too! Buying second hand is not only going to save you money but it’s also better for the environment.
- Don’t Buy Big-Name Brands
The biggest brands for baby gear are the most expensive. If you want to save money on baby gear, don’t buy big brands! Instead, look for smaller stores that sell the same things at a lower price. This will help save money while still providing your baby with what they need.
You don’t need big names like Bullabaloo, Jellycat, or Soojin, instead try smaller names like Fisher-Price, Baby Einstein, and even Amazon.
- Buy In Bulk
If you have a lot of kids, it can be helpful to buy in bulk. You may not want to spend the cash up front, but you could end up saving money in the long run because you’ll get discounts for buying more than one item.
It’s also nice because if something happens with an item you bought you can always get a replacement. Look for bulk-buying opportunities at consignment shops and your local thrift store.
- Shop During Sales
When it comes to saving money on baby gear, the easiest way is just to shop during sales. There are plenty of times when stores will run a special where you can get discounts on baby gear.
Look out for deals at your local toy store, department store, and even grocery stores. It’s very rare that you won’t find any sort of sale going on. And if there isn’t one, just wait a little while because they will come eventually.
Discounts in stores are usually for larger holidays such as New Year’s holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Black Friday. You just have to wait for the sales to happen.
- Don’t Buy All The Extras
The extra stuff you don’t need can really hurt your bank account. You might see cute baby shoes or a fancy designer diaper bag and think, “I must have that!” But you don’t need all of that stuff to take care of your baby.
If you find yourself buying these things, stop! You can often skip buying some of this extra gear, especially when it comes to clothes. Only buy what’s necessary and don’t spend money on unnecessary things.
- Find Coupons
The last way to save money on baby gear is to use coupons. There are plenty of sites online that will help you find all the best sales and coupons so you won’t miss out on saving any more cash!
Look for coupon codes and printable coupons to make sure you get the biggest savings possible. The best time to find coupons is before you go shopping online, but if you miss them then check out your local newspaper or save some from a flyer from your grocer or supermarket.
In order to save money on baby gear, there are a few things you can do. You might be able to rent items or buy them secondhand from consignment stores and thrift shops.
Remember that big-name brands aren’t always the best option because they’re usually more expensive than smaller ones. When shopping for clothes, skip buying any extra pieces of clothing beyond what your child needs by only purchasing necessary items like diapers and wipes.
In addition to these tips, don’t forget about sales when budgeting for new purchases as well as looking out for coupons before making a purchase online or locally at supermarkets and grocery stores in your area!