• A wooden doll house
• An infant tub
• 4 stuffed animals

I got a store credit of $13.50. If I wanted cash, she would have given me $11. I was more than happy to take the store credit since I got more to spend and I will just shop there regardless. So today, I went to get an outfit I left last week when I didn’t have any cash and was going to use my credit. The outfit was, of course, gone. But I got a brand new pair of adorable Baby Gap shoes, a pair of Faded glory shoes, and an adorable dress and still have $3 left to spend. I was happy. The dress was more than I wanted to spend but I was in need of some winter dresses for Turkey Butt.

I was very happy with the exchange. I got rid of junk and got good stuff in return. Sounds like a win,win situation for all.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I went to the  local Plato’s closet today to find some shorts.  First off, what was I thinking!  The shorts are so short that I couldn’t cover my non granny panties even when standing up, much less sitting or bending down.  Surely they took one skirt and just cut it into 2 to save on fabric when making these shorts with NO inseam!  But non the less, I managed to find a pair of chocolate brown shorts that fit.  So I left my pants in the the dressing room to f ind a shirt to go with the shorts.  When I came back, the dressing room was occupied and my pants that I wore into the store were gone.

I asked the lady at the counter where my pants went and she said that she thought someone had stolen their clothes and left the old clothes so they threw the pants left in the dressing room in the trash.  She actually had to dig through the trash to find my pants!  She said she knew they weren’t her pants because they would never sell those pants in that store.  Yeah for me being so “into” fashion.  I told her that  I knew they would never sell those pants because they were maternity pants and I hope the teenagers that buy there wouldn’t need them.  I guess that was what I get for shopping in a teenager store.  But I did find a really cute shorts and top outfit for $10.  Not too bad and very stylish if I do say so myself.

Just thought I would let you laugh at me.  I don’t mind.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Yard sale pros:

• You usually get more for your stuff.
• I love people watching.
• Every once in a while you just don’t want to load up your car. The front yard is closer.

Yard Sale cons:

• You have to worry about the weather.
• You have to advertise to get traffic.
• You have to sit for hours and be nice to people who snob your stuff.
• You have to price and sell your stuff.
• Don’t forget to have money enough to make change.
• What are you going to do with the stuff you are left with?

Consignment sale pros:

• You don’t have to sit for any length of time.
• You don’t have any leftovers.
• Drop it off and be done with it
• You can take that money and immediately spend it on stuff you already need without making 2 trips

Consignment sale cons:

• Its a big one: You don’t get much money for your stuff!

It really is a personal preference as to what you want to do with your stuff. I love going to yard sales but my husband refuses to have one. I think I might load up my stuff the next time my girlfriend has her neighborhood yard sale. It would be free publicity and they always do really well. But for time’s sake, I will take my stuff to the consignment sale place or give it to someone who needs it. That is probably what I will do with all my baby stuff when I know for sure that I am done with it. I have been blessed with hand-me-downs so why not bless someone else with them as well? Sometimes, being thrifty or frugal means giving away instead of just finding a good deal.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

2)  Register for your shower.  People will be more likely to get you what you need.  Also, if you are registered at Target, they have a more flexible return policy.

3)  Nurse if you possibly can.  Formulas can cost a lot of money.  If you’re lucky, formula will cost about $1200-$1400 a year.  If you child has colic or some other tummy problems, the more expensive formulas could cost double that amount.

4)  Check the consignment store for breastpumps.  The consignment store where I shop usually has a nice Medela single or double breastpump for sale.  You’re going to sterilize a new one or used one anyway, so get the used one and save $100 or more.

5)  Find out where you can get free breastfeeding advice.  Some hospitals have a free lactation center and others have lactation nurses that will call and check up on you.  You could also check with your local La Leche group for help.  Finding support is important if you want to continue breastfeeding.

6)  Don’t rush out and spend lots of money on a breastfeeding wardrobe.  More than likely you’ll spend the first two weeks inside resting and breastfeeding anyway.  After that time you can see what your needs really are.  Many times we overestimate what we’ll need and we buy too much.

7)  Don’t worry about brand names.  Wal-Mart and Target have come out with some cute lines of clothing.  You don’t have to have the most expensive name brands.

8)  Accept hand-me-downs.  Don’t give people the idea that you’re too good to take second hand stuff. 

9)  Be sure and tell people how much you appreciate the things they’ve passed down to you.  If you don’t seem thankful, then they may find someone else to give their stuff to.

10)  Shop thrift stores, consignment stores, and yard sales for baby clothes, baby equipment, bottles, toys, and more.  I can’t say that one enough.  Two weeks ago I was at a yard sale and picked up some Avent bottles for 25 cents each!  I don’t have any babies, but we have some friends that use these bottles with their baby.  I spent just a few dollars and they will be happy to get the extra bottles. 

I think this picture speaks volumes about why you should shop at consignment stores. 

11)  Buy some neutral things so that they can be used by your next baby, no matter the gender.  I have been saving a lot of my daughter’s jeans and denim overalls for my son. 

12)  Make your own baby food.  Parents.com has some recipes to get you started.

13)  Only buy what you need.  There are so many gadgets and products on the market.  Many of these items are unnecessary.  Talk to some of your friends and find out what their favorites are and why.

14)  Say “Yes!” if your doctor asks if you want to be added to a mailing list.  You will get lots of freebies in the mail.

15)  Keep those samples of formula the doctor gives you or that you get in the mail.  Even if you plan on breastfeeding, you might still need them.

16)  Visit websites and get put on their mailing list.  I did this with some formula and diaper companies.  They will sometimes send free samples and coupons.

17)  Before leaving the hospital, make sure they give you your free stuff.  Usually Similac or Enfamil provides hospitals with a diaper bag full of goodies for all new moms.  Inside, you will usually find diaper cream, lotion, coupons, and all sorts of great things.

18)  Forget about buying expensive shoes until baby can walk.  Unless your baby can walk, there really is no need to buy the $35 shoes.  All your baby needs is some socks or booties. If you want your baby to have on shoes, then go for the less expensive pair or a pair from the consignment store.  More than likely, your baby will kick them off anyway and you certainly don’t need the more expensive ones since your baby won’t be walking.

19)  Set up a photo website, email pictures, or make photo cds for everyone.  Making copies of photos can be really expensive.  I learned that lesson early.  Now I email pictures of the kids.  It’s less expensive and everyone gets regular updates.   Family members and friends can print off their favorites or save them to a cd.  About once a year, I make a photo cd for the grandparents.  Speaking of which, it’s time to do that again!

20)  Test drive a stroller before you buy it.  This one saved us at least $200.  My husband and I thought we would need a double stroller.  Thankfully, we test drove them around the baby store and realized how difficult and awkward they were.  Plus, I don’t think it would have fit very well in our van.

21)  Use cloth diapers.  Cloth diapers aren’t what they used to be.  Cloth diapers now come with elastic legs and snaps or velcro closures.  You can even buy them used or new on ebay.

22)  Make your own baby wipes.  Here’s my post on how to make them.

23)  Use bibs!  I am a firm believer in the use of bibs.  Bibs will save you money since you won’t be ruining good clothes and they will save you money because you won’t be washing clothes so much.  When my kids eat spaghetti, I usually take off their shirt.  It seems spaghetti always gets everywhere.  Another alternative to bibs is to buy larger shirts at a yard sale.  Put the oversized shirts on your baby when he eats.  You will get more coverage that way.

24)  Try out generic diapers and see which ones work for you.  Some people say generic diapers didn’t work for their children, but I’ve never had any problems with my two kids.  I’ve tried Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, Food Lion, Sam’s, and more.  Never any problems.  I think it depends on the child.  Give them a try and if they don’t work then take them back to the store.  Most store brands have a guarantee statement printed on the package.

25)  Shop the clearance rack frequently.  I once got a $100 stroller at Target for $22.

Well, there are the 25 ways I could think of.  That’s certainly not every way to save money with a baby.  Perhaps one day in the future I could post another 25 ways to save.  Do you have any ways that you save on money on your baby?  Let us know!

Images from morrisons.co.uk, tgtbt.com.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Today I stopped by the consignment store to drop off another tote.  (I am pleased that we are getting rid of all our baby and children’s things.  I’ve been taking in a tote about every week.)  While I was there I saw they were having 75% off their winter clothing.  Wow!  What a deal!

Consignment store prices are usually pretty good.  Sometimes there are items that are way overpriced, but for the most part you can find some good deals.  Imagine getting 75% off those prices.

I stocked up on sweaters, jackets, blue jeans, long-sleeved shirts, and all kinds of winter goodies.  Now I have to put it all downstairs and label it appropriately.  Another great thing is that I had a credit for all the things I’ve sold so far, so I didn’t have to pay for any of my purchases.

So, if you’re wondering what I got . . . I got over 40 items for $50! 

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Another place to shop is consignment stores.  The store where I consign and shop has some really nice dresses priced under $15.

The dress in the picture is from Target.com.  It is available for only $17.99.

You don’t have to spend $75 on your daughter’s Easter dress. Shop around for a frugal buy.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

pair girl’s slippers
pair girl’s blue dress shoes
pair girl’s OshKosh brown leather shoes
pair girl’s Sesame Street tennis shoes ($1.00!)
girl’s Gap jacket
boy’s Carter’s jacket
girl’s Carter’s jacket
girl’s Old Navy jacket
girl’s zip up sweater
boy’s Old Navy button up shirt
boy’s B.T. Kids 3 piece set – denim shirt, vest, and tie ($3.00)

I got all this for $21!!!  Most of it is for next winter, but I try to buy ahead.  It’s nice for the next season to roll around and be able to just pull out the clothes and wash them without having to shop around.  Be sure to check out your local consignment store for great deals too.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The clothes that I have stored come from many places – yard sales, consignment stores, clearance racks, and many of my girl clothes were given to me by my wonderful, long-time friend Karen. (Thanks, Karen.  ) 

Have you noticed that these clothes all have something in common?  Most are used and all were INEXPENSIVE!!!!  I actually had the word “cheap” put in there, but I know some of you may not like that word.  I LOVE that word!!!!

While you’re sorting through last year’s clothes, trying stuff on, and getting rid of pants that are too short, just remember there are places to find low cost children’s clothing. 

I would suggest trying children’s consignment stores for winter clothing deals.  Most consignment stores that I have been in are pretty picky about what they accept.  The majority of their stuff looks new and you can usually get it for about 25% of what it costs new. 

Another great place to try is thrift stores.  Try your Good Will and Salvation Army thrift stores.  A few months ago I was shopping at Good Will and I got my son some new winter clothes, with tags, for $1.00 each!!!  What a deal!!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy