| How many times have you gone to the store just to | | | | grocery shopping, add diapers to the list. Each time you |
| look at baby items? Have you added up with the | | | | go shopping, buying a pack or two of diapers of |
| costs of a crib, playpen, stroller, car seat and all the | | | | various sizes can help stave off the costs. Of course, |
| other must haves that go along with having a baby | | | | get the lower sizes first. It is possible you will only need |
| boy or girl. Before they are born, the costs add up. | | | | 2 maybe 3 packs of newborn diapers and then |
| Should you have a planned pregnancy, then you are | | | | perhaps up to 8 to 10 packs of the Stage 1 diapers. |
| one of the lucky ones. This means you saved up for | | | | Stage 2 through 4 is where the bulk your money will |
| some time. Perhaps even started a college fund for | | | | go so starting stocking up on those as well. |
| the baby. Yet, if you are luckily millions of others, you | | | | Something else that should be bought alongside the |
| only have nine months of planning and saving. Still | | | | diapers. Baby wipes. Get a pack a week or even get |
| whether you saved or not, the baby expenses do not | | | | the economy refill pack after the starter pack. It's |
| have to be paid for all at once. | | | | usually 3 refill packs for $5 at Wal-mart with the |
| Below are three steps parents can do to help in cutting | | | | Equate kind. Those are not much different than |
| down on the expense. Utilizing these steps are good | | | | Huggies and Pampers wipes. |
| for both the planned and unplanned, joyful event. | | | | One thing that'll really save you money is using cloth |
| 1. Baby Shower | | | | diapers and using a diaper service. It may not be as |
| A baby shower with lots of friends is a great way in | | | | suitable when you're out shopping, but it does save |
| avoiding some major costs. It is a honored tradition to | | | | money. |
| the soon-to-be mother with loads of free items from | | | | 3. Ask For Help and Buy Used When Possible |
| her closest friends and family. (Never be ashamed to | | | | Proud grandparents love to help out in buying items for |
| use this to your advantage.) A baby shower thrown | | | | the baby. So whenever possible, enlist their aid. Also, |
| right usually covers items for baby immediately.doubt, | | | | when looking, search around for good used bargains. |
| the shower will be thrown by a friend or relative | | | | So long as it is in good condition and meets the safety |
| without having clues dropped about wanting one. | | | | standards, buying all new items is unnecessary. |
| Sometimes, even coming out and asking for one | | | | The only item that should never be bought used is the |
| doesn't hurt because people do get busy. | | | | car seat. Buying those used never guarantees that |
| 2. Get Diapers Ahead of Time | | | | they meet them safety requirements or that it's never |
| When a family start buying diapers, wipes and all the | | | | been in a wreck. For a parent's piece of mind, used |
| other essential it will take to keep the baby in comfort? | | | | should never be done. |
| The best time is as soon as you become pregnant but | | | | With a little forethought and time, parents can really |
| since that is not so easy, how about as soon as you | | | | save money on their baby's immediate and growing |
| get the results? | | | | needs. The key word is: budget. |
| One thing that can help you out is when you go | | | | |