Baby on a Buck

When you are expecting a sweet bundle of joy and that little wonder will be one of 5 siblings it becomes very obvious that one needs to be very creative when it comes to preparing his/her arrival.

So here are four ways that I am trying out in order to have a baby on a buck. This time I am going to try coupons, cloth diapers (still under consideration) consignment shops, nursing and making my own baby food.

Buck Saver Number One: Coupons, Sweepstakes and Freebies:

As I stated in a previous post. Most retailers now have websites where you can go and register for free. In exchange they will send you updates on sales, coupons and all sorts of other goodies. Most of them will give you the option of leaving your address as well, I suggest that you give it to them. Nothing more fun than finding a sample of cereal in your mailbox to help wash down the bills:). In addition there are so many sites that offer sweepstakes, giveaways and a wealth of knowledge. Most of them are parents much like ourselves who are trying to find the best way to manage parenthood on a budget.

If you have or know of a site or blog that offers coupons, sweepstakes or giveaways please leave a comment below so that others can find you!

I just entered a contest for a free Britax giveaway at gograhamgo you should go join ae well!
OK this is really getting good mamacheaps is also giving away a Brritax Marathon Car Seat!!!
Buck Saver Number Two:

Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers. Ok so the debate has begun. I have been reading up lately on the harmful effects disposable diapers are having on the environment. As well as how the bleaching process that the diapers go through leave a chemical behind that some say is harmful, perhaps even leads to cancer. I have only just begun my research on this so I am not sure. What I do know is that disposable diapers even with coupons is still quite a financial undertaking. so why not consider cloth diapers. Yes I know it means more frequent changing. I'm ok with that, who wants to sit around with pee on them? I don't nor should the little ones. The only other thing is Diapering Services. Anyone with any experience want to speak out? Do these services still exist? If so what do they run?

In addition I do have one other question. What do you do with the really messy diapers? Do you wash them first then put them in the bin for the cleaner? Is there some sort of hazmat container that you place them in the is smell proof? This might be my deciding factor:).

Buck Saver Number Three:

Consignment shops. I have a lot of friends who have sung the praises of consignment shops for years. If they will only read me saying that I am going consignment shopping their mouths would surely hit the floors. However after you have your first child and everything has to be brand spanking new and you pass the crib, strollers and high chairs along to your friends, who then pass them along until someone takes it to the consignment shop you realize that some items will rarely outlive their use during one infants use. Not to mention you can save lots of bucks buying these gently used products.

Here is a shop that was recommended to me and look at the nice things they have to offer.
The Kangaroo Pouch

Buck Saver Number Four:

Nursing and Fixin' Food. I have nursed each of my children for various amounts of time. this child will be no different. I know that most people when trying to convince you to nurse will say that it is good for the baby. this is true. Not only is it good for the baby but it also helps us to get our bodies back into shape after giving birth.

However what some lactation activist will not tell you is that nursing saves you lots and lots of money. Most formulas are $23.00 a can and quickly becomes one of the biggest complaints new parents have. However if you are nursing and pumping you can push that formula bill back quite a ways. Even if you do both, it will still cut the amount of money you spend on formula.

If you are considering nursing or you are nursing there are several resources out the that can help you so that you don't give up. Here are a couple:

La Leche League
Blacktating (she has giveaways also;))

In addition to nursing I also make my own baby food. It started with my oldest daughter because I had a friend who made it for her son. Then it just continued. However one of my daughters had severe reflux. Because it was so bad I did not want to risk putting her on anything that might upset her stomach. I made her food on Sunday nights, I put it in ice trays and froze overnight and placed in Ziploc bags and kept frozen until I was ready to use. take out a cube or two let thaw then heat up. It was great, her daycare provider even said that the children who would not eat the jar stuff would eat her food. Get a food processor and give it a try. If you find that you are at a standstill with variety, take a stroll down the jar aisle and see what combinations they have then get creative.

Well these are my tips, I hope they work for us. If you have any ideas, please share. Also if you have one of those great sites that have freebies and giveaways or info on cloth diapers leave your info in a comment.