Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time, not only for the mother-to-be but for the whole household as well. Having a baby is a blessing that is sure to usher in joy for the whole household, whether it’s your first or not.
However, we have to admit that it is quite expensive to take care of a new baby, with all the baby clothes, food, vitamins, toys, and other stuff that you have to buy. Not to mention the medical expenses when giving birth and all the succeeding visits to the doctor to ensure the baby grows up healthy.
With all these expenses in mind, the nursery may be at the bottom of your priority list, particularly if you are under the misconception that it will take out a huge chunk of the savings that was meant for the baby. This does not have to be the case, though, as there are many ways for you to save on cost when preparing your baby’s nursery. Here, we list down some money-saving tips to help you build your dream nursery:
1. List Down the Basics
Before you start shopping, make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves. This will prevent you from buying things you don’t really need and may end up gathering dust in the room. Of course, you want your baby to have the best of everything, but if they are not even able to use it, then it’s just a waste of money.
There is no strict rule of what you should have in your nursery because what you need really depends on your lifestyle. For example, a changing table may seem convenient to use, but if you live in a two-story house, you may be changing diapers on either floor and the changing table would instead become a hassle to use if you have to move it every time.
2. Measure the Room
Take an objective look at the room that you will be using. If you fill the room with too much stuff, it would be hard to move around and may even cause some accidents while you are taking care of your baby. Measure the width and length of the room, as well as the height so you can buy baby nursery furniture that is just the right size. Leave enough walking room and make sure not to clutter the space with unnecessary items.
3. Re-Use and Re-purpose What You Can
Take a look around your house and see if there are any items that you can re-use or re-purpose for your nursery.
An old drawer or cabinet that is not being used regularly could be used for the baby with just a little paint job and maybe a few minor repairs. Or a few woven baskets in your cupboard could be converted into a diaper tray with simple padding.
Be creative and do a little handiwork if needed. If you find that the repairs are beyond your skills, ask a professional to help you do some carpentry and just pay for labor, which would still cost you less than buying something brand new.
4. Shop Around for The Best Deals
Check online or ask friends for any special offers like discounts and coupons in baby stores around your neighborhood. Nowadays, it’s quite easy to compare prices and you could end up saving quite a sum of money by doing a little research and window shopping before finally making your purchase.
Do not limit your options to only brand-new items, as many secondhand items are still of good quality. You may even find some unused items in a garage sale that would cost you half or less than the price at the store. Just make sure to check the item properly for any signs of wear and tear before paying for it since most second-hand stores do not offer a warranty for the item once sold.
5. Don’t Turn Away Hand-Me-Downs
Your friends and relatives may have a few baby items that are not being used anymore and are no longer needed. If they offer to give them to you, don’t hesitate to accept. It’s not charity when it’s between loved ones, and you are also probably helping them declutter their old baby nurseries.
Some friends may not want to give away their old stuff for sentimental reasons, but would be willing to lend them to you in the meantime. Just make sure to take care of those items and don’t get them damaged while in your care. You may also offer to pay a minimum amount equivalent to what you would have paid at a garage sale, so they can at least recover a small percentage of their purchase price.
6. Try Other Alternatives
There are many other options you can try out, such as swapping out other items in your house that you don’t really need. You can connect with people who have baby items that they are no longer using, and exchange your items with no cash out involved. A few online sites are offering this service, or you can simply post an offer to swap on your social media account, then get your friends to share your post to help spread the word around.
Aside from this, you can choose to do some of the decorations yourself and make simple accessories to liven up the room. Add a personal touch by hanging family portraits on the wall, and you’re all set up for the baby’s arrival.