A new mom who has been waiting to see those two little lines signalling a positive pregnancy test finally gets her wish! Now what?! It’s natural to want to head to the store to buy the cutest outfits and baby items that may or may not be necessary. But wait! Below I’ve listed five useful tips to save money, that I have personally used, in preparation for a new baby.

1. Don’t be afraid of hand-me-downs! This is a big one, and that’s why I listed it first. When friends and family find out that you’re having a baby, especially your first one, they come out of the woodwork with items for you! This is one of the greatest blessings and opportunities for you to save money on your new baby’s essentials. Maybe you would normally purchase everything for yourself and not accept someone elses “leftovers,” but trust me when I say you will really appreciate the gifts.
2. Research baby products before you buy. I could spend all day on this topic. There are so many products on the market that are completely useless. Maybe that cute Mamaroo swing is all you can think about, but why spend that much money on something when there is a chance that your baby won’t even like using it? It’s better to spend less on a product that is similar but won’t break the bank. There is a whole list of other items that you can find here! 
3. Keep the nursery simple. After all, they’re only a baby for so long! Who’s to say that you will want to keep all of the baby pastel-colored everything long-term? Or all of the extra furniture that isn’t really needed? The most important part of a nursery is to have a comfortable place for baby to sleep. I believe this main idea gets lost when moms start shopping for nursery decor and end up spending a fortune on things that aren’t worth it.
4. Refrain from buying much until after your baby shower. This is a big one! If you are having a baby shower before your baby is born, why not wait and see what gifts you are given before you buy anything? Make sure your registry has items that you actually need, and don’t list things like clothes-which people will be giving you anyway. It is difficult to do (I know) but you will save a lot of money if you wait until you have the shower and see what others give you.
5. Buy used items and shop sales. Thrift stores and clearance racks are great places to find baby items, especially clothing! Even if you didn’t purchase used items before now, expecting a baby can be overwhelming on your budget. Save a few dollars by buying items when they go on sale and visiting resale stores. After all, babies will grow out of things fast!

I hope this advice will encourage you to keep your budget for baby in check and not feel like you need much more than you actually do.

I look forward to writing more helpful posts regarding both babies and money-saving tips, so stay tuned!