Budget Busters – How to make your dollar go further

Have a spare $15,000? Most of us don’t just have that sort of money lying around, and estimates show that most new parents will spend between $9,000 and $15,000 during the first year of their baby’s life! Feeling weak at the knees? Here are some great money saving tips for new parents.

Beg, Borrow or Steal (Wait...No Stealing!)

This is a great time to accept hand me downs and favours. Family, friends and strangers (try Ebay if you aren’t already addicted!) are always looking to get rid of large items which are now unused from their older children. This is a great way to get strollers, cots and nursery furniture for next to nothing (or maybe even nothing if they’re really nice!). Ask around, everybody generally knows someone who is looking to offload items from their child’s earlier years, sharpen your bargaining skills and away you go!

You can also stand to save a load of money on baby clothing too. You will be confronted with an enormous array of gorgeous baby wear, but choose what's practical and good value. Accept offers of used baby clothes from friends and family, they will be more than happy to see their items being used rather than being thrown away.

Keep a baby-care bag in your car. Pack it with all the essentials, a few nappies, a tube of cream, a travel pack of wipes and an extra outfit. If your child eats solid foods, a small snack (like a teething biscuit or some vegetable puffs) are a must have. When you forget your nappy bag, or are caught in an unexpected situation, you won't be forced to buy all of these items, which can work out to be very expensive! To help you keep all your necessities together, look no further than the ISOKI Baby Bowler Bag. Not only is this bag perfectly sized to fit all your essentials, but its two separate compartments provide you with an insulated section for all your drinks and snacks and a storage section which comes with a washable change mat, perfect for on the go! The Baby Bowler is also a great option for parents on a budget wanting a nappy bag for day to day use.

Another great idea is to head to any baby expos and local fairs in your area. For an inexpensive admission ticket (or sometimes, nothing at all) you get the opportunity to see lots of great brands in one place. It will give you the opportunity to compare lots of products, grab loads of freebies and discounts and you may be able to strike up a deal to buy display products for low prices.

So don’t despair, there are great money saving ideas out there for parents who need to make their dollar go further. Just remember to include a slice of ISOKI in your dollar saving days!