by Tamara Brown

Created on: June 05, 2009

Money Saving Tips for New Parents

So you're having a baby! Hold on to your wallet, the next eighteen years are going to be expensive. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the average middle class family will spend around $244,620 to raise a child (assuming the financial responsibility ends by age 18). This is an intimidating number, especially to new parents who are facing the initial start up costs such as cribs, strollers and car seats. However, despite the Department of Agriculture's generic figures, individual families can make many choices that can reduce the overall all cost of having a baby. This article will specifically focus on cost saving measures for new parents.

Solicit hand me downs.

First of all, as soon as you find out the sex of your baby, start letting people know that you will welcome their baby castoffs. Friends, family, coworkers and fellow church members are all fair game. Do not feel cheap for doing this Infants outgrow their clothes so quickly that they barely have time to wear them, much less wear them out. You might be surprised how well this works. Your baby may very well be a year old before you need to buy anything clothing items, that is, if you are able to resist all the cute outfits at all the baby stores. Other items such as strollers, bassinets, play yards, etc. can be handed down as well.

Get on the mailing lists.

Next, go the websites of all the major baby brands such as Pampers, Huggies, Similac, Nestle, Gerber and sign up for their mailing lists. You may want to get your parents and close friends to do the same. These companies will send you free samples and coupons on a regular basis. For example, Similac will send a few cans of their formula around the due date of the baby as well as a $5 coupon each month.

Breastfeed

The decision to breastfeed or not will probably not be made on the basis of saving money, but for reasons that are personal to your family. However, understand that breastfeeding is much cheaper than formula. Even if you plan on going back to work, investing in a high quality breast pump and pumping on your breaks will be cheaper than formula, even if the breast pump costs several hundred dollars. Of course, the biggest reason to breastfeed is the health benefit to your baby.

Resist the designer items

Even items such as a car seat and a crib that every parent must buy, come in many different price tags. A designer car seat does not always mean it will be a higher

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