Pregnancy -
New Mom...New Baby...New Debt?
by Susan Koiner
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along with your
expanding waistline comes the ever growing list of products for you and
your new bundle of joy. Preparing for a new baby can be a costly
experience, especially in the areas of clothing and nursery furniture.
The good news is that it does not have to be!
Let’s talk about buying baby clothes...think RESALE! Every new mom
gushes over the adorable clothing available for babies, but they often
come with a not so adorable price. Resale clothing costs a fraction of
the retail price. Buying resale clothing does not equal buying trash!
Moms sell their baby’s clothing to resale stores for a variety of
reasons. Babies outgrow clothes so quickly (normally before they show
any wear) they simply cannot use them anymore. Many precious newborns
receive more clothes than they can wear in a season (everyone loves to
buy baby clothes for shower gifts–they are just too cute!) that cannot
be returned and they end up in resale stores with the tags still on! If
you have the time and know what you are looking for, you can find plenty
of designer and brand name clothing for a steal!
Buy now...save later! There is more beauty to the changing of the
seasons than just the landscape! As the temperatures change, so do the
prices of baby clothing! Most stores slash the price of their clothing
up to 75% by the end of the season to make room for new clothes. Take
advantage of this by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s
current size for him/her to wear the next year. The savings are amazing!
Another large expense when you are preparing for a new baby is furniture
for the nursery. A good place to start when considering which pieces to
buy is determining how much room you have to work with? Do you have a
large room or do you need multipurpose furniture? A crib is a necessity
and a given; however, you can pick and choose other nursery pieces.
Combination pieces such as dresser/changing table combos are available
at some stores and can save you from buying two pieces. Cribs with
attached drawer space that convert to toddler beds are also available
and will save you a lot of space. Thinking ahead when buying nursery
furniture will save you both time and money in the future. By buying a
combination piece of furniture for your nursery, you eliminate having to
sell furniture you no longer need, as well as spending time looking for
and more money on new “big kid” furniture.
Now that you have decided what to buy, it is time to shop! Once again,
think resale! There are many children’s resale stores that carry
pre-owned nursery furniture for 50% or more off retail. They usually
have several styles to choose from in different price ranges. If you
find something you like, they will usually hold it for you (if you were
not really prepared to take it home) and some stores may even have lay
away plans.
Another great place to buy pre-owned furniture is the classified ads in
your local newspaper. Seller’s usually place ads on Thursday or Friday
so they can catch the weekend readers. If you find something you are
interested in, call quickly! Good furniture does not last long! Make
sure you ask the seller plenty of questions. It is important to know
before heading out to look at furniture things like the manufacture
name, the age, if they have pets (if you are buying cushioned items and
allergies are an issue for your family) and the exact color (if it is
not adequately described in the ad). Asking these questions may be
uncomfortable, but they can save you a lot of time and gasoline looking
at something you know you will not be interested in. When you do look at
pre-owned furniture from the newspaper, take someone with you and know
what you are looking at. Are the style and the manufacturer of the
furniture worth what the seller is asking for it? Is the furniture
reasonably priced for it’s age and condition? With a little knowledge,
buying pre-owned nursery furniture can save you BIG money!
Awaiting the arrival of your new baby is an exhilarating time! Add to
the excitement by saving money on quality gently worn (and sometimes
new) clothing and pre-owned nursery furniture.
About the Author: Susan Koiner is a SAHM, and former teacher, of three great kids ages seven, four
and three. Her family struggles with the challenges of the "one income"
family and from this comes her passion for finding creative ways to save
money. You can reach Susan at
susan@money-moms.com or visit
her website
Money-Moms.com
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