When Paul and I decided to start a family, I already had three older sisters that had children of their own. As the frugal sister, I’ve criticized their spending habits when they were raising their kids.
Because I was frugal, I thought that I’d know what I would be doing when I become a mom. I was wrong – nothing can prepare you for motherhood. If you’re a first time mom or mom-to-be, here are some savings tips I learned along the way that can help you become a frugal mom.
1. Buy only what you need, and not everything at once.
Nesting is real. It’s easy to overspend when you get too excited about your little angel. Before you go on a shopping spree, make a list of things that your baby will need when you get home from the hospital such as car seat, newborn clothes, diapers, burp cloths, toiletries, etc.
You could hold off the crib if your baby can sleep on a bassinet (or maybe consider co-sleeping). Same goes for the high chair — your baby won’t be using it for the first few months, right?
2. Breastfeed your baby.
I cannot stress enough the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. Breast milk has all the nutrients to keep your baby healthy and has antibodies to protect your baby from bacteria and viruses. Plus, it’s available anytime for your baby. Breastfeeding burns extra calories (saves you gym membership!) and also lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
3. It’s okay to accept and use hand me down.
Babies grow fast so investing too much on clothes and shoes are a no-no. Besides, babies learn to walk faster when they’re barefoot indoors. Use socks or booties to keep their feet warm.
4. Ask for free product samples from your pediatrician.
There’s a lot of baby products in the market. Instead of buying a full tub, pediatricians often have samples on hand that they’d be glad to give away.
5. Check out for baby fairs, product promotions and sales.
Don’t hesitate to use coupons too and don’t be shy to join on some contest and raffles. They say pregnant women are lucky, right?
6. Make your own baby food.
Make DIY baby food from fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s cheaper than store bought and you know exactly what’s in your baby’s food.
7. Lay off from social media.
It can give us false expectations so take social media with a grain of salt. It’s not bad to do your “research.” However, you have to remember, what worked for them might not work the same for you. I admit, I too fell for it too! I purchased a few baby products online that ended up either collecting dust or ineffective for me. It’s still best to ask seasoned mother for tips and advice through forums and discussions.
At the end of the day, experience is still the best teacher. There may be bumps on the road but it’s still part of the learning process. As I have said earlier, take it with a grain of salt, do what you think works best for you.
To learn more about Rubie Chua-Lee and her family, Paul and Tokyo, visit her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rubiechualee/
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