Having a baby is a magical experience, but it can get expensive quickly, especially if this is your first child and you need EVERYTHING!  The good news is that you can raise your baby on a budget without sacrificing quality, safety or luxury as long as you make frugal, realistic choices when shopping for your baby.

Many first-time parents are like children in a candy store, mesmerized by all the latest, trendy baby gear. This can get you in a lot of financial trouble if you aren’t careful about where you put your money. Here are a few tips on how you can save money and still give your bundle of joy everything they could ever need.

Needs vs. Wants

What does your baby really need to thrive? They need unconditional parental love (which is always free), food, diapers and plenty of rest. These are the items you should focus on spending the most amount of your baby budget on.

Crib – Bassinets and cradles are endearing and nostalgic, but they make little sense for parents on a budget. Realistically, your new baby will only use these items for a few months before they are too big for them. Instead, invest in a new crib that meets all current safety standards. If you want to increase your savings, invest in a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed.

Diapers – Modern day parenting has nudged cloth diapers out of the picture because disposable products are perceived to be more convenient. However, your new baby could go through up to 14 diapers a day. That is a lot of diapers you are purchasing and even more filling up landfills. You can save money by purchasing re-usable cloth diapers. Today’s cloth diapers are designed for everyday use and for the lives of busy families. If you want to save money, consider the benefits of cloth diapers.

Nutrition – Breastfeeding is the number one way that you can save massive amounts of money. If you plan to breastfeed, you will want to spend the majority of your budget on a reliable breast pump that is easy and pleasant to use. Don’t forget the accessories and bottles you will need. Buy only the best!

Save with These Techniques

Now that you know what you should splurge on, here is how you can get all those other baby items without spending a fortune.

Resale: This isn’t your Grandma’s resale. Secondhand boutiques are popping up all over the country with gently used designer styles and cool trends for deep discounts.  Visiting these modern thrift stores can be quite the delight!

Multi-purpose items: When purchasing items like high chairs and portable play yards, look for products that can grow with your child or be converted depending on the situation.  Save space and money by purchasing a high chair that attaches to your dining chairs. Many of these products can be used from infancy through toddlerhood.

Ask a Friend: Do you have a friend that recently had a baby? Babies grow rapidly and baby items have a short shelf life.  Most people would be more than happy to loan a baby swing or a stroller to a friend than try to find a place to store the item. If you’re coveting an item that a good friend no longer uses, there is no harm in asking.

Raising a baby on a budget is easy when you make practical, realistic decisions. Of course, you should never compromise safety, for savings. If you borrow or buy baby items secondhand, make sure you check the Canadian and United States Consumer Products Safety Commission website for the latest recalls and safety requirements.

I am so very excited to be given a chance to sell Baby Butz cream through Shoppers Drug Marts

I have been allowed to put my miracle cream into 8 of their Manitoba locations as a “test”.

If Baby Butz cream sells well during this test phase… it will be considered for placement in all the other Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada!

What does this mean to me…it’s a dream come true… Shoppers Drug Mart is the largest drug store chain in Canada…it reaches across all the Provinces and hopefully Baby Butz cream will be available to many more people…especially for the babies that truly need this product.

As an incentive to making your next purchase of Baby Butz cream from Shoppers Drug Mart…I am going to hold a CONTEST!  (I am sorry but this will only be for Manitoba residents for now).

Buy your next Baby Butz cream at one of the eight Shoppers Drug Mart locations listed below and then send in your receipt for a chance to win a Mom + Baby gift basket worth over $100.00. http://a.pgtb.me/WZnRKq

I am putting all the goodies together and I will make sure you won’t be disappointed.

Everyone wins with a contest like this!   Now go clean off those shelves, please!

Locations 

Shoppers Drug Mart

2656 Pembina Hwy.

Winnipeg, MB.

Shoppers Drug Mart

710 St. Annes Road

Winnipeg, MB.

Shoppers Drug Mart

3900 Grant Ave., Unit 1A

Winnipeg, MB.

Shoppers Drug Mart

1017 McPhillips Street

Winnipeg, MB

Shoppers Drug Mart

Manitoba Clinic

790 Sherbrook St.

Winnipeg, MB.

Shoppers Drug Mart

1350 18^th Street., Unit #3

Brandon, MB

Shoppers Drug Mart

382 Main Street

Steinbach, MB.