Welcoming a baby is a blessing in almost everyone’s life. Any parent would tell you that there is no emotion like it in the world – the feeling that you will do everything for this little person. But it is not all about fun and games.
A baby is a precious and expensive undertaking. Go to online baby stores in the USA to see for yourself the prices of the items. Do a quick calculation of the essentials, diapers, clothes, formula, bottles, accessories, and toys. You will be able to see the expenditure level for yourself.
According to estimates, you will spend an average of 12,000 USD during your baby’s first year. The USDA study was done in 2010, so the expenses should have increased when you factor in inflation. By the second year, the average costs will reach 12,500 USD.
For instance, every week, you are looking at a minimum of about 50 USD for diapers, baby food, and formula if you are not breastfeeding. You do not even count the money you spent prepping up the nursery, baby crib, stroller, clothes, toys, hygiene supplies, and other accessories.
Thus, you do need a helping hand. Here are some money-saving tips when you have a baby in the house:
- Be smart about buying diapers – Most kids complete potty training by the time they are three or four years old. It means your house will be filled with diapers for the first 36 months of the baby’s life. If you see a sale at your local supermarket, buy in bulk. And forget about brand loyalty, especially if the baby is past the infancy stage. Most brands also offer coupons so you can take advantage of those to bring down the cost. If you do not mind the laundry, you can consider reusable diapers. You are contributing to the environment, too.
- Shop online – You save money when you go to online baby stores in the USA. For instance, you do not spend on gas when you do not need to go to the grocery store. Second, online merchants typically offer free shipping when you reach the minimum amount of purchase. Third, you can always get a discount on some of the items. Also, you can try out cash-back apps to get rewards. By using the apps every time you make a purchase, you can earn points, which can be converted to cash. Some apps will deposit instant money on your debit card for each purchase you make from partner retailers.
- Schedule your shopping at the end of the month – Most stores, even online merchants, have a monthly quota to meet. They also replenish their inventory by that time. It means old stocks need to go, and that usually results in discounts.
Lastly, do not forget to sign up for online coupon programs. Nobody cuts magazines and newspapers anymore for coupons. There are plenty of online websites that offer the instruments that you can use to get discounts on baby stuff or other goods. You need to be creative when it comes to the expenses for your baby. If you are not careful, they can quickly rack up.
