The Simple Dollar had a great post entitled A Visual Guide to Saving Money With a Baby which I have linked to because it is a very good read (and the comments are interesting too but some of them can get my blood boiling).
As one of their commentors said "out of curiosity, isn’t having a baby the biggest drain on financial resources?". I would like to answer this as resounding "NO!" Now let me get up on my soapbox/checkbook for a second and break down what I have done with my two kids:
Crib and mattress - purchased via CraigsList for $50
Car seat - purchased via CraigsList for $20
Changing table - purchased via CraigsList for $15
Stroller - purchased via CraigsList for $10
Swing - purchased via garage sale for $30
Bouncy seat - purchased via garage sale for $5
Boppy - bought via Ebay
Clothes - borrowed, garage sale, clearance racks, or gifts
Toys - garage sales
Diapers - disposable using only sales and coupons
Food - nursing and free formula with checks or samples from my pediatrician, then making baby food at home or purchasing jars with coupons
Do you get my drift? I get a little worked up when people question how much it costs and look at you ridiculously when you tell them you want to have more than one. The cash outlay seems to be the most for the first child; the second can share what you invested for the first. I never buy anything full price and I usually don't even buy anything from a store. I get most things second-hand, and even then some of my garage sale finds still have tags on them.
Hopefully what we are doing via this blog is helping educate each other on how to save money and encourage those of us who are trying to practice this lifestyle. Don't be discouraged moms and dads - it is possible to live well below what other people seem to view as normal cash outlay and still have everything you need (and alot of what you want).
Monday, September 29
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1 comment:
FYI...I have 5 kids AND I am a SAHM. Kids only cost as much as you choose to spend on them. I've taught my teens that they can be in style without spending $20 on a tshirt and that if they want an Ipod or a laptop they can earn money to buy their own. Bargain hunting is a family affair with us. When they have to spend their own hard earned money, they shop around for the best deals! I get so irritated with parents that buy their kids $100 concert tickets and every new toy that comes out and then complain about how expensive kids are! Thanks for helping me in my quest to save money...I love your blog!
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