best babie buy
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| Smart Parent Guide |
- babie arrival budget
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| Money Savin Tips |
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The new baby will take a big bite out of your budget. Thank your star's the Baby has fed and lived in a wanderlust world inside momie, that never once hit the money trail, except for the maintenance cost of doctors.
Welcome to the space-ship Earth Kid;
Here are some ways to save:
Take advantage of freebies and coupons. If you
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don't mind getting your name on mailing lists, (come-on jump in the mail-box pool) mom call the toll-free customer service lines or register at the Web sites of formulas, baby-food, and disposable diaper companies for their parenting newsletters and new-parent programs, including coupons and free samples. Even if you don't register, you may get them anyway. Somehow, when you have a new baby, word gets out. I hope it's from your church! (smile) Baptism are great for passing information along...no harm done.
Consider a discount babie club
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membership. At places like Costco or Sam's Club, you'll reap discounts on everyday items you'll use a lot, such as disposable diapers, baby wipes, and laundry detergent. Sign on for the loyalty savings card program at your drugstore and supermarket and you'll receive coupons that can rack up savings.
Buy as your baby grows. Except for the basics listed earlier in the chapter, don't buy baby products until you're sure you'll need them. The wait-and-see approach gives you time to check with friends about their experiences with
specific baby products and ultimately can save you money. You may be able to borrow some items, especially for the first two years. Others might not seem necessary once you understand what your baby's needs are.
Stock up in the fall. Fall is prime baby bargain time, since retailers tend to clear their inventory to make room for next year's products, which arrive between November and January.
Shop around. Prices can vary from one shopping venue to another, sometimes dramatically. Megastores and discount chains such as Baby Superstore, Babies "R" Us, Buy Buy Baby, Kmart, Sears, Target, Toys "R" Us, Best Buy and Wal-Mart often have the lowest prices, although not always the largest selection. For personal attention and informed sales help, smaller stores are a better bet. Another plus: Mom-and-pop stores have more leeway to offer on-the-spot discounts, especially if you're a regular customer. Just be sure to ask, "Is that your best price?"
Keep in mind that salespeople everywhere may have anincentive to push their most expensive wares. And beware of the emotional pull of lines like: "But it's for your baby," and "It's not every day that you have a baby." Unless you're on your guard, it's easy to be persuaded to spend, spend, spend.
Watch for sales. Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us, Best Buy Power Mall, routinely put out newspaper inserts and in-store fliers with savings of 20 percent or more on brand-name baby items.
Go online. If you shop online, compare prices of bassinets, cribs, changing tables, and hundreds of other baby products quickly by logging on to a shopping Web site, which also offers product advice from fellow parents. For even more savings online, log onto sites such as www.couponcabin.com for a wide selection of the latest online coupons from major e-tailers. Keep tabs on your shipping costs when buying online. They can sometimes wipe out any savings--and then some.
Consider buying used. Gently used baby clothes,
bedding, and toys can sometimes be found in thrift stores, online, and at yard sales at a small fraction of their original retail prices. But some items such as car seats and cribs always should be purchased new to ensure they comply with new safety requirements and have no hidden flaws.
Ask about return policies. A store's return policies can make the difference between being a satisfied customer and being stuck with something you don't want or can't use, so be sure to inquire. It's not unusual for a store to allow returns only up to 30 days after a purchase, which won't help if you're shopping well before your baby arrives.
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