Budgeting For Baby: 10 Things You Don’t Need

Babies are expensive.  Preparing for those cute little bundles of joy can really put a dent in your  bank account.  After having two little munchkins of my own, I can honestly say that I’ve got a pretty good handle on what you’ve gotta have on hand and the things you can let slide.  My words of advice?  Keep it super basic.  Don’t worry, you won’t scar your baby and your budget will thank you.  Use the money you save to put towards important things…like college savings.

1. Baby Wipe Warmer

Budget Savings: $20-$40

Warmer wipes won’t make diaper changing any easier.  It is just another gadget that you just don’t need.  Don’t get me wrong, it sounds nice, I mean, who wouldn’t love a warm wipe for their bum, but baby doesn’t need it.

2. Bottle Sanitizer

Budget Savings: $30-$150

Do you have a dish washer?  A large pot?  Access to a stove?  Forget this space eater as well.  If you want to sanitize your bottles, stick them in the top rack of your dishwasher and call it a day.  For pacifiers, we washed them and then sanitized them in a pot of boiling water.  Easy.

Worried about pieces floating all over your dishwasher?  We used the Munchkin Dishwasher Basket and never had a problem.  Plus it was a fraction of the price.

3. Tons Of Toys

Babies are boring.  Yeah, I said it.  They don’t do much for the first 3 months and they’re way happier watching you make goo-goo eyes at them.  If I had to narrow it down, we had two must haves: a baby swing and a play mat.  They don’t see a huge amount of wear and tear, so we used the same ones from La Grande for La Rubia.  With that being said, hit up a consignment store!  Don’t buy new!  This stuff gets used for about 5 months per kiddo and its all machine washable.

Of course grab a rattle or two, but don’t go over the top.  You have the rest of their lives to spend outrageous sums of money on gadgets and gizmos.  Keep it simple.

4. A Bassinet

Budget Savings: $125+

Awww…arent’ they so precious?  No.  They’re expensive and quickly outgrown.  Forget the bassinet.  Get a play yard.  You can even delay purchasing a crib and changing table if you go for a pack and play that has a changing table feature.  Not only are play yards awesome for the first few months, they’re great for military families.  We travel with our play yard and it makes PCS-ing a cinch.

5. A Stylin’ Wardrobe

Savings: $30+ an outfit

$30+ on a baby outfit?  Get out of town!  Babies grow fast.  Like warp speed.  Forget the Nike, forget the Polo…just forget it.  They’ll wear it once or twice and then they’ll have a poop blow-out and stain it beyond repair. Plus, the brands are really about us and our own ego.  Babies don’t care what they’re rockin’!

Keep it simple; keep it basic.  Oh, and hit a consignment store as well.  I had clothing that passed from La Grande to La Rubia that still had tags on it.  Babies need onesies, shorts/pants, and socks…if you can keep them on.

6. Shoes

Budget Savings: $8+ a pair

Have you ever tried to shove jello into a mold after its already jello?  No?  Well, it ain’t easy.  Take my word for it.  I bought La Grande these awesome hot pink Chuck Taylor’s for $22.  They were a NIGHTMARE to put on.  She wore them ONCE and that was only because I had to justify the spending the money on the shoes.

I gave up with La Rubia and we went for “shocks”.  Socks that look like shoes.  And you know what she did with those?  That’s right.  She yanked them off and went naked style.

7. A Video Monitor

Budget Savings: $150+

How big is your house really?  And how often are you going to need to be all “big brother” style on your kiddo?  Just opt for a standard baby monitor.  Chances are, you’ll hear baby scream, and, in true mommy/daddy style, you’ll go running to get a visual.  The screen won’t even cut it.

8. Over-The-Top Bedding And Decor

Budget Savings: $200-$450+ for a designer 4-piece crib set alone

I just have to have this super cute jungle monkey theme with the matching curtains, art work, bumper (dangerous), fitted sheet (only one, and you’ll need more), quilt (useless), bedskirt, rug, wall applique, and garbage can (really?)…

Woah, Nellie.  Baby decor can add up quickly.  Pace yourself, stick to necessities, and be realistic.  Babies are only babies for a short amount of time and then you have to re-attack the decor all over again.  Keep to solids and mix and match your decor to keep your spending in check.

9. A Stockpile Of Diapers

Yes, babies poop and pee all the time.  But you don’t know what type of diapers you’re going to like and what will work best for baby’s bum!  Disposable diapers vary brand to brand and you’ve got to give yourself time to find what works best for you.  Plus, babies grow and the newborn diapers won’t cut it for very long.  Diapers come in sizes and you don’t want to find yourself stuck with a stock pile of diapers that don’t fit.

Looking for a leaner and greener option?  Go cloth!  I did cloth with La Rubia for 20 months and never regretted it. Plus, you can save $1500+ or more by going with cloth diapers.

Cloth diapering is easier than you think!   Learn more about how cloth diapering can save you money

10. DVDs

Budget Savings: $15+ each DVD

No, television won’t make your baby smarter.  Plus, your baby doesn’t really care or realize what they’re seeing anyhow.  And why on Earth would you start gluing your child to the boob-tube at such an early age?  Baby is happy watching you do whatever it is you do all day.  And nothing is more fun that listening to mom and dad talk to baby.  Taking baby for a walk or holding baby and dancing is free and fun.

Another word to the wise…limit your spending until AFTER the baby shower.  If there is one thing I know for sure it’s that other people like buying you stuff for your baby.  It’s probably because they know that they get the satisfaction of seeing  your baby without having to have a baby themselves.  <insert evil but good-natured laugh>

Are you wondering why I have babies on the brain?  It’s not for me; our factory is closed.  La Rubia is our last model year for production.  I’m going to be a Titi!

Spanish For The Day:

Titi: Tee-tee, not a boob.   Titi is a diminutive of Tia, or Aunt in Spanish.

My little sister is expecting her first baby and I am so excited!  Congratulations to my baby sister and best brother in-law in the world!

Triwest’s Healthy Living Portal has a great resource list for all of your new baby and child care needs!  Find immunization schedules, developmental guides, safety tips, and more!

This is a sponsored post for SargesList.com – Trusted Military Classifieds. All research and content is my own.

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