When you decide to become a freelancer, it can be a difficult
decision, especially financially. If you're a parent, the decision
may be even harder. However, did you know you can save significant
amounts of money without clipping coupons or spending lots of
time comparing prices? The following tips are easy things any
parent can do in less than 15 minutes.
For pregnant moms · Let people know you're pregnant, so they can throw you
a baby shower, where you can receive blankets, clothes and diapers.
We got most of our first child's clothes from the baby shower.
These people may also continue to give you hand-me-downs.
· Sign up for free baby and parenting magazines, like BabyTalk
and American Baby. Not only do these magazines offer great parenting
tips, they also offer free coupons for baby items. You can sign
up for these magazines at your doctor's office or at Toys-R-Us,
which has several free copies of American Baby in their aisles.
· Sign up for free stuff at the hospital. Among the several
hundred forms you'll fill out, you'll probably get one asking
whether you want your name added to mailing lists for offers for
new parents. Check "yes." OK, you will get a lot of
stuff you don't need, but you'll also get free parenting magazines
with coupons for free formula, and you'll get coupons for baby
items. When I signed up for the mailing lists, I got three cans
of Enfamil formula for free.
· Check out the WIC (Women, Infant, Children) program in
your area. This is a free government-sponsored program that offers
parenting classes and coupons for free food - including milk,
cheese, cereal, and eggs. The program is for pregnant women and
new moms, and their kids (up to age five). The income requirements
are quite lenient, and it takes only a hour or two to find out
if you're eligible. However, WIC heavily emphasizes breastfeeding.
· Check out other free programs. For example, when I signed
up for WIC, I also signed up for a car seat program, where I attended
a one hour educational seminar, and got a convertible car seat
(one that can accommodate infants and toddlers) for $20. If I
had bought that in the store, I would have paid $50 to $80.Breastfeeding
· Breastfeed. Not only does this benefit the baby and you,
it's also free and portable. You'll never be without your breasts.
If you sign up with WIC, they'll give you a free breast pump.
You'll need one anyway, but a manual one only costs about $20
to $25, and it's something you'll use every day. You'll also need
to purchase bottles to put breastmilk in, but those will only
cost about $5 for three or four. However, before deciding to go
this route, practice breastfeeding with dolls, attend classes,
and get all the information you can, so you can make the experience
as successful as possible.
· Buy formula at discount stores, like Costco. The deals
are better than at grocery stores. For both parents Buying clothes and toys
· Go to thrift shops and second-hand stores. Keep in mind
you should never pay more than $5 for any clothing item for your
infant or toddler, because you can find clothes at this price
in most children's thrift stores. Thrift stores usually carry
quality items in a variety of sizes. For example, I bought my
son's entire summer wardrobe (ten complete outfits) at a thrift
store for $30.
· Accept hand-me-downs. Even if you hate the color of the
shirt, it's one less item you'll have to buy. It also opens the
door for future hand-me-downs - items you may like more, like
toys.
· Offer to swap toys with other parents.
· Rotate your own child's toys. For example, put some toys
away, then bring them back out in a few weeks. Your child will
probably have forgotten about them, and they'll be just like new
toys.
· Make your own toys. For example, we have a box with holes
in it, and our toddler loves it! He puts it on his head, and pokes
his fingers out the holes to touch my fingers. I put it on my
head, and do the same thing.
· CAUTION: Don't buy strollers, cribs, car seats
or playpens at a thrift or second-hand store in an attempt to
save money. These items can be recalled very quickly, and you
don't want to put your baby in something that may be unsafe. If
you do get a hand-me-down item you want to use, call the company,
and ask if the item has been recalled. Having fun
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Lori Tate has ten years of professional writing experience, including
four as a journalist. She is looking for research, writing and
editing work. You can contact her at onehappyperson30@yahoo.com. |
