Buying for baby....on a budget!

Michael and I are on pretty modest wages. Over the past few months we have found ways to save some serious cash when it comes to buying things for the baby. With only a few months to go, we are almost pretty much sorted for her arrival and we haven't spent a great amount. It's called being thrifty and frugal (my two favourite and most over-used words) and here is how you do it! p.s: There is nothing wrong with buying everything new. There is nothing wrong with paying £1000 for a buggy. However it's still pretty damn satisfying getting a great bargain. 

This week I am focusing on BABY CLOTHES!

Baby Clothes...

If you are anything like me, you will not listen to the people that say you don't need many baby clothes. 'They grow out of them so quickly!' and 'It doesn't matter what the baby wears in the first few months.' All true but let's face it, buying baby clothes is one of the most enjoyable things about pregnancy. When you're aching from head to toe, broken out in teenage acne and haven't been to the toilet for 4 days...well, a pretty little dress all neat and clean on a hanger is very satisfying. It's true babies really just need the essentials at the beginning but it's H&M and Gap and Next's fault for making clothes which are just SO DAMN CUTE. I have admittedly bought a lot but 75% of the clothes are not new and sourced from various places. Here is how I have saved:

Ebay

My second home. If you search for baby clothes you will literally spend 20 hours of your day glued to the screen so go deeper into catergories and sizes to see what you really want and re-order to list them 'ending soonest.' I have won so many pretty things by bidding literally in the last 15 seconds and putting the real MAXIMUM I would pay. Mummies and potential mummies on Ebay can be real sneaky bitches (me included) so unless you enjoy it, don't get into a bidding war and only put what you are willing to pay. Search for items that may end at unusual times (past midnight) and you'll get less competition. Early morning and mid afternoon are the worst for trying to win an item. When you receive an item, offer feedback and give it a nice wash (even if it's been washed recently) and make sure you buy from someone in a smoke free home. They usually mention this in listings.

Charity Shops

Charity shops are almost better than Ebay because you get to see first hand what the clothes are like and the condition they are in (yes, people lie on Ebay). Fara in particular is excellent for baby stuff and they have special branches called 'Fara Kids' across London and Surrey.  Charity shops are not normally the sort of place you can haggle and they're normally decently priced...plus it is all goes to a good cause! Often charity shops will have great little baskets full of stuff for 50p and we have got some great little hats, leggings etc for next to nothing.

Car Boot Sales

I have had hit and miss opportunities for baby clothes are car boot sales but then London is lacking in any decent ones. Don't go for the stalls that throw their clothes on the floor and take no care. Also haggle for a price for a bundle if you are interested. Prices tend to be cheapest at car boots because people just want to get rid but just check little things like the sellers are not smoking all over the clothes (seen that many a time) and that everything looks and smells clean-you can't return them like you can in a shop or Ebay.

Shop Sales

Shops like H&M and Mothercare have good sales in their stores at least a few times a year. Mothercare in particular also has an excellent sale section on their website. Scour the net for codes-type the shop name and 'discount code' into the search bar and more often than not you can get yourself 10-20% off.

Supermarkets

I have found my best new clothes for cheap in places like Tesco and Asda. Their stuff is gorgeous and really cheap too. A few times a year they have baby events (which normally start online sooner than in store) so if you sign up to their site, you will get advance warning. Even so these places are excellent for basics like tights, leggings, sleepsuits etc. Tesco do lovely little vests for £1.50 each with lovely designs-I have bought a lot of these to wear under normal clothes.

Use friends and family
You are always going to have someone kind enough to offer you some freebies...so take them! Even if they're not always to your taste, it is always good to have a big supply and back up of things like sleep/body suits because babies obviously poop, wee and are sick over everything. I have had some lovely donations from friends and my family have bought some things also. Likewise, you can pass your things down to someone else once they are too small.

A few more little money saving tips...

• If you do spend a lot on a designer item, consider selling it on once it's too small (obviously if it's good enough condition) on Ebay-you probably won't get back what you paid but you will no doubt get a good return.
• Look out for NCT Nearly New Sales-you can search for your nearest by postcode on their website
• If you can't afford anything now, you could consider websites such as Very and Littlewoods and 'Buy Now Pay Later'. Although check interest rates and consider if you can pay it back.
• Buy some bigger things too. I have bought some 6-9 months clothes because I don't know what our money situation will be like next year (maternity pay is crap) and also, you don't know how big your baby will be/grow! 
• Consider the seasons and weather changes when buying ahead. So if your baby is born in September like ours, consider slightly warmer 0-6 months clothes.

xoxo