Oftentimes, taking baby steps in cost-cutting measures is the best first step due to the gradual and acceptable changes involved.
This is also true for saving money on baby items, which can add up to savings in overall child-care costs from birth until the age of 18 (i.e., experts estimate average childcare costs for the 0 to 18 years period at $245,340/child).
The first baby step you can make is in purchasing diapers. During your baby’s first year alone, you can expect to spend at least $600 on disposable diapers – or an equivalent of 2,500 dirty diapers. You can save hundreds of dollars on these essentials by keeping the following tips in mind.
Buy Diapers by the Bag
When it comes to diapers, buying in bulk makes sense because the price per unit will be generally lower. You will also save money on making frequent trips to the convenience store or paying for shipping costs in online shopping when you always have diapers on stock.
But when you are using coupons to buy diapers at stores like Target and Piggly Wiggly, you should get the smallest package. Your savings will be higher, such as when a $2 coupon off a $10 bag will yield a higher percentage savings than on a $20 bag
Go for the Store Brands
While advertisements will make it appear that premium diapers are more absorbent than generic brands, this is not necessarily the case.
You will find that store-brand diapers are just as absorbent as their branded counterparts. You may even be able to save as much as $30 each month, which can then be placed into your baby’s college fund.
You can find coupons at the manufacturers’ websites, at the retailers’ websites and stores, and in traditional venues like magazines, newspapers, and flyers. Be sure to clip the coupons and buy the items that are on sale.
Maximize Sales on Premium Diapers
If store-branded diapers are not up your alley for any reason, you can still enjoy satisfactory savings on premium brands.
The trick is in checking out warehouse stores for these diapers, which are regularly offered at substantial discounts. You can also bring along your coupons for more savings, as is the case for BJ’s.
You can also check Amazon for premium diapers at a discount. Huggies, Pampers, and Seventh Generation are among the popular premium brands that can be shipped directly to your home.
When you have saved on diapers, you can take the next steps in saving on other essential baby items including formula milk, baby food, and toys.