New York City – A new bundle of joy can cost a bundle of money, but keeping newborns in formula and diapers doesn’t have to break the bank, according to the author of a new book.
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Alan Fields, co-author of “Baby Bargains,” said the average cost of baby supplies for the first year of life is $6,655 – and that’s before you factor in medical expenses and child care. But Fields said these costs can be cut by more than a third by following some simple money-saving tips:
Look for stores that don’t have “baby” in their name. Stores that market themselves specifically to new parents often jack up the prices on nursery furniture. All-purpose furniture stores may stock similar items at a lower price.
Buy in bulk. Fields recommends warehouse clubs like Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club.
“Formula and diapers are two great examples of products that it’s almost always better to buy in bulk,” he said.
Look for sales, coupons and freebies in your newspaper. Lists of online coupons and giveaways can be found at several Web sites for new moms.
Fields also recommends checking with your employer to see if you’re entitled to any special offers.
Many employers offer dependent child care accounts, which allow workers to pay for child care out of pre-tax income, Fields pointed out.
Focus on the basics. Parents should resist the marketing pressure for unnecessary gadgets like baby wipe warmers and leashes for toddlers.
Breast feeding is healthier than formula, according to some experts, and can save $500 in the first six months.
Parents can also guiltlessly cut back on clothes and toys.
“Babies mostly sleep for the first several weeks,” Fields said. “They don’t need fancy clothes
I understand that this was written in the Daily News, was the picture there too?
I just spoke with a Ramapo official and they are beginning an official investigation into the matter.
The official said that the officer most definitely should have known better.
i hope it wasn’t !
Buy in bulk. Fields recommends warehouse clubs like Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Buying in bulk is not always cheaper. Costco and other alike make millions of dollars before you even walk into the store. These companies charge you an average of 4.00 a month just for membership and then add the time and the gas to get to these places you are not saving anything.
Faxing an order to two places and paying the 3.00 for delivery makes more sense while supporting another jew at the same time and is a GREAT MITZVAH.
Like I said yesterday before you pulled it (why, I don’t know) expense would be a lot less, esp. for Bubby & Zaidie, if parents didn’t expect/demand/ask for/want a $700 stroller.
How can you afford to buy in bulk, when you can hardly scratch together the money to buy one pack of diapers or formula at a time?
Well said ! Any ideas ?
we can’t live without “the bugaboo” (-;
UHUM……..LET THE GOVERMENT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HIGH SKY SCORING PRICES INSTEAD OF GIVING US IDEAS. THE GOVERMENT GETS A TON OF MONEY FROM US PPL. WHO ARE TRYING TO SCRATCH TOGETHER A FEW DOLLARS.
By combining sales, coupons, and rebates it’s possible to get good deals on brand name diapers–about $4 for a jumbo package of Pampers or Huggies–and on other products such as wipes and baby shampoo. It also helps to be open to trying cheaper brands to see if these work for you.
Baby furniture such as cribs & dressers can be purchased used as well. I can’t tell you how to find a cheap bugaboo, as we bought Gracos on clearance at Toys R Us.