9 Tips for 9 Months

Home Family Babies General 9 Tips for 9 Months

Wee little booties. Tiny outfits. It can be hard for the pregnant, thrifty woman to resist! From experience, I know how hard it is to resist the temptation to buy every baby item in sight!

Many thrifty women may wonder, "How can I resist the little outfits and accessories?" Nine months is a long time to not go on a spending spree. Here are some tips that will help you spend wisely:

1. Wait it out. Once the pregnancy test indicates "positive", withstand going out to the store and picking up a giant bag of diapers.
   
   
2. Collect coupons. Keep your eyes open for coupon deals on diapers, formula, baby toys, etc. Stock up at sales. If you know a pack of diapers are regularly $10.00 and they are on sale for $5.00, feel free to stock up. Match coupons to save more.
   
   
3. Go online. Sign up for baby newsletters, join free parenting web sites. The newsletters will not only keep you updated on your baby, they will also inform you of deals and discounts.
   
   
4. Inherit baby items. Ask your family and friends if they have baby items, such as strollers and cribs, in good condition. Be sure the item meets safety standards.
   
   
5. Don't buy in all yellow or white. If you don't know your baby's gender, resist the urge to buy in neutral colors. If you choose to find out the gender ahead of time, you won't know until at least the 20^th week. Hold off until then, so you can buy in pink or blue!
   
   
6. Buy after your shower. Babies bring out people's generosity. Wait until your shower, which may not be until the 3^rd trimester, to buy baby items.
   
   
7. Spread the word. Let your family and friends know that you are hoping to get diapers, formula, etc. Having these necessary items on hand will free up money in your future budget.
   
   
8. Register for gifts. While some may question the etiquette with baby registries, it's up to you to decide what's right for you. I think there is no better way to let others know what you need, so you don't receive what people think you need or receive duplicates, such as 50 baby grooming kits.
   
   
9. Your nursery theme. Resist the urge to buy everything that matches the theme. If they sell a bathtub that matches your theme, but isn't very good quality, buy a generic bathtub that has the right features.
   
   

Here is the most important tip of all: All your baby cares about is being loved, wearing a clean diaper and having a full tummy! When expensive toys and outfits tempt you, remember it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to raise a happy and healthy baby.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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