Single Working Parents Cut Costs on Baby Expenses
Having a baby increases your family expenses one hundred fold, and can sometimes be too much to handle financially as a single working parent. If you thought buying a home (one time purchase), or getting a dog was expensive, just wait until there is another human being in the home! They might be small, but they cost just as much as any other roommate!
Cutting your spending and reorganizing your budget can take some time when you have a baby. A lot of habits need to be changed or broken, and the concept of hand-me-downs needs to be accepted with open arms.
Here are some quick tips to help decrease your expenses when a new baby comes into your life:
- As I said before, take whatever hand-me-downs you can get, whether it is in the form of clothing, strollers, cribs, etc.
- Spending money on baby formula is going to add up quickly. Breastfeeding is not only natural, but actually better for your baby. It cuts costs on formula, bottles, nipples and cleaning racks.
- When you do buy something “new” and don’t get a hand-me-down instead of shopping at Target or Babies-R-Us, shop at second hand stores. Their merchandise is just as good quality as the super stores, and sometimes accepts trade-ins which can decrease your expenses even more!
- As long as you don’t mind cleaning them, cloth diapers really do make a difference, both on the environment as well as your wallet
- Instead of using a stroller to get your baby around, try a baby sling. They are cheaper than strollers and other carriers, although they can sometimes put a strain on your back or shoulder.
