by Amber Benge

Created on: October 24, 2008

Having a baby is one of the happiest experiences in this life, but it is also a financial strain for many people. Babies are expensive with diaper prices at an all time high. You can save money on baby products by following these simple tips.

Formula can be a huge drain on your grocery bill. Always select the powdered formula over the premixed for the biggest savings. Most major stores offer a generic brand that can cut your formula expense in half. Check the ingredients and see if the generic formula is worth a try.

Go online and enroll in formula savings clubs with each major formula company. Most will send you free checks in the mail to help pay for their brand of formula.

Scope out your regular baby items for 800 numbers on the packaging. Call those numbers and ask if they have any available coupons. Most companies will mail these out if you just ask!

Never buy over-the-counter medications at the grocery store. They mark these up to pay for your convenience. Look for medications at discount stores like Wal-Mart or Target, and ask your doctor is generic brands are okay.

Give generic diapers a try. You might find that they fit better and you will save a lot of money by avoiding the name brands.

Skip those little toddler foods. You might be tempted by the tiny jars of pre-cut green beans, but you can buy 2 large cans of no-salt added green beans for the same price and dice them up yourself.

Look on the packages of your favorite baby products for a toll free phone number. Call these numbers and request free samples and coupons. Most companies will be more than happy to oblige.

Stock up when you find baby products on sale. Buying in bulk can save you hundreds of dollars on daily items such as diapers and baby food.

Shop for baby gear at yard sales and consignment shops. You can find almost new products for dirt cheap prices if you wade through the layers of hand-me-downs. You can also check your local classified ads for baby clothes.

One of the best things you can do is network with other parents. You can pass down your baby's gently used items to parents in need and others can do the same for you. The socialization will be great for your baby and you'll make new friends and save money along the way.

There are also great resources online for finding discounted baby items. Check out Ebay's listing for baby items and you can find almost anything at a reasonable price. Freecycle is also another great option. When you enroll in the Freecycle program, you can get items for free from other moms who are willing to pass along their gently used items.

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