Happy New Year! I thought this was the prefect time of year to share with you a few things that have worked for us in helping saving a few pennies and the planet...
TIP 1: Beg and borrow off others. Many people who already have kids maybe more than happy to loan, moses baskets, car seats, cots, highchairs, travel cots etc. whilst waiting for child 2, 3, 4... Ask friends/family with older kids if they can loan stuff to you (possible offer them a small 'rental' fee) most people would be more than happy to help, as it saves them storing bulky stuff
TIP 1: Beg and borrow off others. Many people who already have kids maybe more than happy to loan, moses baskets, car seats, cots, highchairs, travel cots etc. whilst waiting for child 2, 3, 4... Ask friends/family with older kids if they can loan stuff to you (possible offer them a small 'rental' fee) most people would be more than happy to help, as it saves them storing bulky stuff
TIP 2: Bag a last minute eBay auctions. I saved a fortune waiting until the last minute to bid on things like hooded baby towels, dressing gown, bedding and blankets
TIP
3: Nearly New Sales are ace! especially for baby things. Lots around, often in spring and autumn
TIP 4: Are there local Facebook groups for buying/selling stuff? a local group often means no postage cost because you can walk/cycle and collect in person
TIP
5: freecycle and fridgemountain, have kids stuff
advertised that is being given away, and you can post requests on too
TIP
6: Charity Shop, its pot luck and the trick is to keep popping in
TIP
7: Ask people for specific things that the little one needs for Christmas or a birthday rather than getting 3 lots of things they
already have. People are often pleased to know they are buying something that is wanted, needed and will be used
TIP
8: Try a toy library or... why not start
your own one amongst friends
TIP 9: Alternative to packets and packets of baby wipes. Buy a packet of washing up clothes (you know the ones, the blue and white ones), cut them in half or even quarters and use them to wipe fingers and faces, and just about everything you do with the baby wipes. When they are dirt throw in the washing machine and re-use as many times as possible before they fall apart in the washing machine. Although, please note I would not recommend for nappy change time unless its an emergency. When out-and-about pop one or two cut up cloths in a zip-able plastic bag.
TIP 9: Alternative to packets and packets of baby wipes. Buy a packet of washing up clothes (you know the ones, the blue and white ones), cut them in half or even quarters and use them to wipe fingers and faces, and just about everything you do with the baby wipes. When they are dirt throw in the washing machine and re-use as many times as possible before they fall apart in the washing machine. Although, please note I would not recommend for nappy change time unless its an emergency. When out-and-about pop one or two cut up cloths in a zip-able plastic bag.
OUR EXPERIENCES
PRAM:
We brought a pram off eBay (from a warehouse type eBay shop) just as Mothercare were issuing a new model. we
therefore got a new pram in the 'older' model for £200 cheaper than the newer
one in Mothercare. I asked in Mothercare what the difference was between the two
models and it was the car seat fitting (which made no difference to us
as we had a car seat on loan)
NAPPIES:
Real nappies have saved a small fortune! you can buy them clean and secondhand or
brand new (we opted for new bamboo based ones). Cloth nappies save about £1,000 over the course of time a one little needs
them. This includes the cost of water, electricity, liners and washing powder. We aren't complete hippies... We do use
eco-disposables when we are away from home for more than 48 hours. But over the 2 years+ our little one has worn nappies its saved a lot of money not to mention how much its helped mother nature's supply of resources.
The cut up cloth thing doens work fine as a nappy wipe - Cheeky Wipes make them for that very purpose. But cut up cloths or, as we used once our cheeky wipes disitegrated with over use, flannels from ikea (take time to hem if you are planning on using them a lot). Ideally keep them in a "wet bag" moistened with water and a few drops of essential oil when out and about and have a "dirty bag" with more essential oil (tea tree ideally!) to pop them in once used - along with your reusable nappies! When at home they can be kept in tuppaware - water and essential oils covering the wipes to keep them damp, and dirty ones straight in the nappy bin.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Su! Freecycle was a godsend for us.
Thanks for reminding me about this.
ReplyDeleteWe use terry towel wipes for nappy change too, we got bamboo ones when we brought the nappies - they are great (we have also used cut up old towels when we ran out), we just throw them in the wash with the nappies.
In the change bag I carry a small plastic spray bottle with a few drops of tea tree oil and water.