Buying for Baby

Hello again. This is Linsey Knerl with Dealista’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Getting More for Less. Today, we’ll be talking shop about baby gear--the cutest, tiniest, and often most-expensive purchases you’ll ever make in a lifetime. Is a deal always as good as it looks? What stuff will you really need? We’ll get to it all, but first, let’s hear a word from our sponsor.

What Does Your Baby Really Need?

We’ve all heard the experts tell you what baby needs--and doesn’t need--to have a happy beginning. Though it’s tempting to try to convince you that what has worked for me will also work for you, I’m not going to. Why? Every baby, and the family that raises him or her, will be different. One family may consider a solid oak crib a top priority, whereas another will be perfectly happy with co-sleeping arrangements. Some moms gush over the importance of designer duds for their tiny fashionistas, whereas others are content to revive hand-me-downs in gender-neutral shades. The moral to the story is always the same: What works for you is your best approach towards child-rearing, as long as you can afford your own preferences. 

Even if you’ve already decided that only the best will do for you little bundle, there are many important steps you can take to save 20-60% on that choice. The first step is to make a “want” list and a “need” list, being practical about how to separate the two. Two hundred dollar battery-operated rocking bassinet? Quite possibly a want. Simple baby swing that’s safe and comfortable to use? Probably a need.

How to Save Money on Baby Products

After you’ve established your needs, you can begin shopping as soon as you know you’ll be having a baby (or sooner, if you’re eager to get started.) In fact, shopping early will often help you get the best deals. Sales on baby items can happen multiple times during the year, with major retailers like Babies R Us, Target, and Walmart advertising their sales through TV ads, newspaper inserts, and online. (Here’s a hint: If you see what you want at any retailer, be sure to employ those price-matching skills to buy it at your favorite store.)

Because some items will be difficult to store (like large furniture, baby gates, and swings, for example), think about whether it will be worth using up prime real estate in your home while you’re waiting for you blessing. If it’s not, it might be prudent to only buy those items that store well or that have a once-in-a-lifetime price tag to warrant the storage space.

Which Diapers Should You Buy?

There are plenty of one-time purchases that you’ll only have to think about once. There are also those everyday buying decisions that will be a part of your life for at least three years after baby is born. One of the purchases that you’ll be making over and over again is diapers. With between 4 and 15 diapers a day for the little guy’s first years, you’ll be feeling the pain in your wallet long enough to really consider the best choice before you buy. While it’s tempting to go strictly with the lowest price choice, diapers are one of those purchases that are better served by value.

Diapers seem to all offer very different things. Price, features, brand-recognition, and sale pricing will influence different shoppers in different ways. While it’s difficult to say how you should decide on a choice, it all comes down to performance and value. A leaky diaper that gets all over your new couch, ruins an outfit, and embarrasses your child is never worth the extra $2 savings. Ever. When making decisions on all baby products, any compromise in quality must be made up with very good price. (And I mean VERY good.) You should also always be aware of the unit price for you purchase, which is essentially the price per diaper (or price per ounce of formula.) This principle can be applied to every day-to-day baby purchase you make for baby’s first years.

How to Save on Everyday Baby Items

Regardless of your brand of diapers (or formula, juice, or wipes), there are many ways to save on your favorites. The popular website BabyCheapskate.com is a top resource for parents who wish to know which retailer is offering the lowest price on their brand at any time. With links to printable coupons, advice for price-matching, and the insider tips on getting the best special promotional pricing, it’s definitely worth a bookmark in your browser.

Contact the Manufacturer Directly

Another way to stay on top of savings opportunities is to go to the manufacturer directly. By Googling your brand of choice and finding their official website, you can sign up for exclusive email and postal mail savings offers, coupons, and giveaways. Most companies send out savings at least once a month, and some even give you reward points for each purchase--which can then be redeemed for free product or gifts (like toys, gift certificate, and services.)

Should You Buy Used Baby Products?

Hand-me-downs can be a budget’s best friend, and with so many ways to buy used, it’s a tempting solution for all your baby needs. Whether you’re scouring garage sales, bidding on eBay, or just taking a box of goods from a sister-in-law, there are a few quick and dirty tips you should know about to keep baby safe:

  • Before using an already used purchase or gift, check it against the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s official website at CPSC.gov. It will have details on recalls to clothing, toys, cribs, and more to let you know if your item is OK to use.

  • Fully assemble all items using the original instruction manual. Make note of any missing or broken pieces before baby uses it. (If you don’t have the manual, check the manufacturer’s website. Many times they’ll let you download one for free, or provide you with a toll-free number to request it.) Refer to the manual for use until you get the hang of anything you’re not familiar with.

  • There are special rules for car seats that every parent should know about: Don’t use any car seat that you don’t have the full history on--car seats that have ever been in an accident should be destroyed. Don’t use a car seat that is more than six years old or that doesn’t have a manufactured date on it. Don’t use any seat that has broken, bent, or cracked plastic and get replacement parts for any worn or frayed belts and rusty or defective buckles.

Used can save money, but it should never compromise safety.

This has been an episode of Dealista’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Getting More for Less, brought to you by Wise Bread, a personal finance blog that helps you live large on a small budget.

Send us your questions, comments, and tips to dealista@quickanddirtytips.com or call 206-203-0282

Until next time!