My husband was putting something away in our storage closet the other day and he said, “Honey, do you know we have diapers in here?” The reason this seemed odd to him is because we are currently potty training our youngest. I think he thought I had bought them months (or even years) ago and had simply forgotten about them.

Silly man. He should know me well enough by now to realize that I am stockpiling for our future baby(ies). No, we are not pregnant but we plan to have at least one more baby in the relatively near future. So if I can get diapers dirt cheap now, why would I wait? Here’s an example:

A couple of months ago, I found a case of Huggies diapers (144 count in a size 3) on the clearance rack of my local Kroger. They were marked down to $7.99. Why? Because the box was pretty beat up. The diapers inside were still wrapped in plastic and seemed unscathed by the damage done to the box. To make the deal even sweeter, I had a coupon for $3.00 off Huggies bringing my grand total to $4.99 for a case of 144 diapers. How could I pass that up?

Then there are the wipes. Periodically, Huggies and Pampers will each put out coupons for $2.00 off a box of wipes. At Walmart, those wipes can usually be purchased for right around $2.00 making them FREE! I won’t stock up on wipes until I am pregnant because wipes will eventually dry out or even get moldy (yuck!). But if you already are pregnant, this is a great item to stock up on.

Here is a list of items that are great for stockpiling, even before your baby is born!

• Diapers — Buy them when you find great deals on them, particularly in a size 2, 3, or 4 (people will probably give you a lot of size 1 diapers when your baby is born). Also, be sure to request diaper samples and add them to the stockpile.
• Formula — If you plan to formula feed or even just supplement with formula, now is the time to start looking for deals. Recently, Ready-to-Feed Similac was going for less than a dollar because of a high dollar coupon put out by the manufacturer. That is too good to pass up, just watch the expiration dates. Also, samples will start arriving in the mail (with little to no effort on your part). These samples are usually full size cans of formula and can be added to your stockpile.
• Wipes — Again, watch for free or almost free wipes and stock up at least six months worth.
• Baby Bottles — I frequently see baby bottles in the clearance section of stores like Target and Walmart. Request manufacturer coupons for bottles and keep them on hand for those clearance sales. You will find that you can get your baby bottles (even brands like Avent) for pennies sometimes!
• Clothes — Clothing can be tricky because of sizes and genders. However, I always watch for clearance sales on gender-neutral clothing basics like onesies, t-shirts, and pajamas. At the end of the season, you can find amazing prices on these items. If you are already pregnant, you can pretty safely estimate what size your baby will be during his first year of life and buy appropriate clothing at the end of the season.
• Baby Gear — Every now and then a manufacturer will discontinue an item. This is NOT the same as a recall. They simply quit making a particular style of an item. When this happens, you can sometimes find closeout prices on the item. Such finds are rare but they do happen. When I was pregnant with my son I found a purple bouncer for $14 (it was originally $49). I knew I was having a boy but who cares? He didn’t mind having a purple bouncer!

When James was a baby, he wanted to be held ALL the time. I had not yet discovered slings and wraps so if I wanted to keep him from wailing, I was pretty much holding him in my arms all of his waking hours. He would tolerate brief stints in the swing, as long as he could see me the entire time. I started positioning the swing in the doorway of our tiny kitchen when it was time to cook dinner each evening. That worked well for the first few months.

As he got a little older he outgrew the swing and was able to sit up on his own. So he would sit in the kitchen doorway and cry while I cooked dinner. He might play with a toy for a minute or two but that would never last very long. It was a stressful time for both of us!

Then one day, another mom suggested that I put him in the kitchen with me and give him pots and pans to bang on. That sounded like a good solution so we tried it. James loved beating on the pots, pans, and lids and he stayed content while I cooked dinner. The problem was I was losing my mind. A sleep-deprived mom can only take so much pot and pan banging!

Finally, I tried a quieter tactic. I took one of my plastic mixing bowls and filled it with a hodge podge of plastic kitchen items–spoons, measuring cups, cookie cutters, and anything else that looked appealing.

I then gave that to James instead of the pots and pans. Lo and behold, he was intrigued. I immediately began going through the contents of the bowl. He discovered that plastic spoons are fun to beat on the floor, measuring cups are perfect for banging together, and cookie cutters are great for chewing on. I discovered that plastic doesn’t give me a headache.

This is a frugal way to keep your baby entertained while you work in the kitchen. You can fill up a bowl or container with any baby-safe plastic stuff that will appeal to your baby. Rotate the contents on a regular basis to keep the “kitchen bowl” full of surprises. I would occasionally put a baby toy in with the kitchen utensils and I would frequently change out the cookie cutter shapes. A silicone whisk was the favorite kitchen gadget for both my children and silicone basting brushes were a close second.

I’ve got more frugal baby toys up my sleeve and I’ll share them with you in weeks to come.

To be so small, babies need so much!

Or do they? 

We tend to buy a lot of items that may make life easier, but also put a strain on the budget. Before you run out and buy far more than you need to, check out this list of common baby expenses and the frugal makeovers we have given them. Of course, the first frugal rule of thumb is to borrow an item or to buy it in good used, but cheap, condition. Barring that, these suggestions may help.

Keep in mind that some of these ideas will not work for everyone. It is all about personal preference and ideals.

As you all know, I adore a good bargain and consignment sales and yard sales are my favorite places to buy baby gear. During my first pregnancy, I got a brand new baby monitor at a yard sale, still sealed in its box for $5. I bought my daughter’s toddler bedding used from Craigslist. It was a $200 set that I got for $60 (and for me, $60 was a big splurge but I loved the set).

In most cases, it is just plain smart to buy your baby gear and furniture used. After all, why pay full price for something when you can buy it for less from someone who has only used it a short time? That being said, there are a few things that should never be bought used or should only be bought used if they meet current safety standards. Here they are:

Car Seats
Did you know that car seats have an expiration date? Most car seats either have an expiration date stamped into the plastic of the seat or printed on a label. If you are unable to find an expiration date, however, the general rule is that car seats expire six years after they are manufactured. The reason for this is that the plastic can begin to break down over time, compromising the safety of the seat.

Another consideration with used car seats is that you are never supposed to use a seat that has been involved in a car accident. The impact from a crash can also compromise the safety of the seat.

Bottom Line: Only buy or borrow a relatively new car seat from someone you know and only if they are certain the seat has never been in a crash.

Cribs
As of this week, many used cribs can no longer be considered safe. The U.S. government outlawed all drop-side cribs due to the risk of injury or fatality. If you do find a used crib that doesn’t have the drop-side, it should be manufatured after 1974 and meet this criteria:

• Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent a baby from wedging his head between the slats.
• Avoid cribs with corner posts (posts or knobs that protrude from the top of the end panels of the crib). Dozens of babies have died after their clothing or pacifier cords got hooked on the posts, leading to strangulation.
• Avoid cribs with cutouts on the end panels. These decorative holes can actually trap hands, feet, and even heads.
• Look for peeling paint. Never use a crib with cracked or peeling paint. The paint could contain lead, making it hazardous to your baby.

Bottom Line: Drop-side cribs are out.  It is best to avoid any cribs made before 1974. Check all used cribs for the above safety standards.

Strollers
In 2007, the ASTM updated their safety standards for strollers. As a result, some strollers manufactured before 2007 may not meet these standards. With that in mind, it is my personal opinion that many strollers produced before this time are still perfectly safe to use under the following conditions*:

• Restraints must be secure and in perfect working order.
• All screws, bolts, and fasteners must be secure.
• The stroller must not have been recalled (visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html to check for recalls)

Bottom Line: Only buy used strollers manufactured after 2007 and/or check strollers for the above safety standards.

*This assumes that the child is never left unattended in the stroller.

Play Yards
Play yards are notorious for being safety hazards. Every year 11 babies and children die in play yard related deaths and 1,100 babies and children are injured. As a general rule, the older the play yard, the more unsafe it may be. If you choose to buy a used play yard, only buy a play yard manufactured after the year 2000 when safety standards were updated. If you are unsure of the manufacture date, check for the following safety hazards:

• Make sure that the openings in the mesh are smaller than ¼ of an inch.
• Never buy a play yard with top rail hinges that close into a V shape. These hinges could potentially cause strangulation.
• If the play yard has a changing table attachment, make sure the restraint straps don’t form a loop on the underside of the attachment. This also poses a strangulation hazard.
• Check to make sure the play yard hasn’t been recalled (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html).

Bottom Line: Only buy used play yards made after 2000.

When my son was born, we–like many first-time parents–baby-proofed fanatically. When he became mobile, however, it seemed as if we had done it all for nothing. He never tried to open cabinets, he never tried to climb furniture, and he never even gave electrical outlets a second glance.

Two years later, our daughter came along. And she tried to pry open every door and every drawer. She tried to pull the outlet covers out of the outlets. She climbed on everything and the word, “no,” seemed to bounce right off her ears. If we hadn’t fanatically child-proofed for her, we would have been in real trouble.

As important as baby-proofing is, baby gates, cabinet locks, door knob covers, outlet covers, toilet locks, etc., can really break the bank. Fortunately, there are a few frugal tricks you can use to help reduce your child proofing expenses. Whatever child proofing methods you choose (frugal or otherwise), always give them a test run before trusting them to keep your baby safe.

Cabinet Locks
Double cabinet doors with knobs can be secured with a heavy duty rubber band. Drawers, single cabinet doors, or double doors without knobs can be secured with self-adhesive Velcro strips or dots. Once your baby becomes a toddler, this may not be effective.

Door Knob Covers/Baby Gates
Slip a small sock over your door knobs and secure them with a rubber band. The sock will just slip and turn over the knob if your child tries to open the door. Consider using this instead of baby gates when you want to block off an entire room.

Edge and Corner Guards
Forget buying expensive bumpers and guards for the sharp edges and corners of your furniture. Foam pipe insulation can be purchased for a dollar or two and will slip right onto any edge.

Outlet Covers
Outlet covers are so inexpensive that there is really no cheaper, safe alternative. However, if you suddenly find yourself lacking an outlet cover, cover the outlet with a strip or two of electrical tape until you get more covers. Remember that this is a temporary fix and do not leave your baby unattended near an outlet covered with tape.

Toxic Chemicals
In addition to keeping your cabinets locked, consider replacing as many toxic cleaners as possible with natural alternatives. For example, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are very effective cleaners and are not going to be nearly as harmful to a baby or young child. On top of that, they’re frugal, too!

Non-slip Socks and Pajama Feet
Non-slip socks are great for babies learning to walk but can be expensive to buy. Instead, buy plain socks and use puffy fabric paint to add non-slip designs to the bottoms. You can also use the paint on the bottom of your baby’s pajama feet.

Have any more frugal baby-proofing tips? Tell me about them by leaving a comment of sending me an email.

See how I created a nursery for my son with just over $100.

Before my son was born, I had absolutely nothing for a baby — no furniture, no clothes, nothing. As my pregnancy progressed, I started getting panicky worrying about how we would outfit an entire nursery. This was during the time that both my husband and I were working full-time jobs but somehow, we thought we were broke! Anyway, I knew that I was going to have to pinch my pennies if I was going to be able to buy everything we needed. In the end, I was able to put together an entire nursery for $119. Granted, I was given a couple of things but when you are pregnant with your first child, that is a common occurrence and you could easily end up with more free stuff than I did. Below is an explanation of all the expenses I incurred in this project.

My first priority was furniture. I knew that I at least needed a crib, a changing table, and a chest of drawers. I knew that I could actually convert the top of a chest of drawers into a changing table in order to save money. As it turned out, I ended up using a changing table as a chest of drawers! A friend of a friend of a friend had a changing table that she no longer needed and generously offered it to me. With frugality already coursing through my veins, I accepted it sight unseen. Fortunately, it was in great shape and it was the kind that has two shelves beneath the changing area. Struck with inspiration, I bought four large plastic bins to hold baby clothes, diapers, etc., therefore eliminating the need for a chest of drawers.

In the coming weeks I went to yard sale after yard sale, looking for deals on baby items. The problem is, baby stuff goes fast at yard sales and I consistently had a hard time dragging my pregnant self (or my husband) out of bed at the crack of dawn on a Saturday. Nevertheless, I got lucky on one outing and stumbled upon a late model crib in perfect condition for $30. Of course, I checked to make sure it met current safety standards, which it did. It did not match the finish of the changing table, but I knew I could paint the changing table cheaply and easily. I was then very generously given a brand new crib mattress by a couple who bought it for their granddaughter but then never used it.

I then began scouring discount stores and baby stores looking for cute bedding sets on sale. I finally struck gold when I found an adorable sports-themed set at Walmart for $25. It had the crib sheet, bumper pads, comforter, and window valances. I picked up the coordinating mobile for $10 and I was done.

With the theme in place, it was time to buy room decor. I found some cheery yellow paint on the mis-tint shelf at the hardware store for $8. Admittedly, it turned out to be a bit bolder than I intended, but it was certainly bright and happy. I then printed out templates of a baseball and bat, football, and basketball. I picked up some fabric remnants in colors that matched the bedding and used the templates to cut out sports shapes from them. I then sewed (with just a needle and thread) some simple but cute wall hangings and embellished them with puffy fabric paint. Finally, I used a Print Shop type program and printed out decorative pictures of four types of balls — soccer, baseball, basketball, and football. I put the printed pictures into dollar store frames and hung them on the wall. Finally, I found a coordinating lamp on sale for $3 at a discount store and a pair of decorative shelves for $10. I put the lamp on a bookshelf taken from another part of the house and I was finished.

For $119, my baby’s nursery was complete. Some of you out there will be able to create a nursery and spend far less than I did. Others will find $119 far too low. Either way, it is important to know that you do not have to break the bank to provide a safe and happy place for your baby.

I am shocked when I see perfectly rational people spending thousands of dollars on baby gear. Let’s face it — most of this stuff will only be used for a couple of years at best and some things will be used for a much shorter time than that. Let’s consider bassinets, as an example. You can expect to use a bassinet for about 3 months. So not only is it impractical to spend hundreds of dollars on a designer bassinet, it also means that if you find a used one, it’s probably only been used for a short period of time.

It’s true that you don’t want to buy all of your baby gear and furniture used, but most of it is fine to purchase second-hand. Obviously, you want to be discriminating in your hunt for deals, avoiding pieces that are broken, badly stained, or so outdated that they may no longer meet government regulations. Pieces that come with the original manuals and boxes, on the other hand, are especially good finds.

So where to you go to get great deals on second-hand baby gear?

1. Consignment Sales — Not to be confused with consignment shops (see below), consignment sales are events that take place once or twice a year. They are often held in churches and sometimes in bigger venues such as convention centers. The way they work is this: parents bring in their used children’s items and assign prices to them using the consignment sale’s system. Then on the day or days of the sale, people come in and buy the items. The organizers of the sale keep a percentage and the rest goes to the original owners of the items. Prices are generally quite low and the quality of the items is generally quite high. Many sales offer ½ price hours at the end of the sale to get rid of remaining merchandise.
2. Consignment and Resale Shops — Consignment and resale shops are like year-round consignment sales, although some stores pay for used merchandise up front instead of actually buying them on consignment. Either way, most of these shops are particular about the items they sell — this means that you are likely to find high quality merchandise there. In addition, you can make a little money by reselling your own baby stuff. There are three major chains of kids consignment stores located in the United States and Canada: Once Upon a Child, Kid to Kid, and Children’s Orchard.  In addition, many communities are home to smaller independent consignment stores. In one such independent store, I recently bought a double stroller in good condition for $37.50. A new double stroller would have cost me at least $100.
3. Ebay – Ebay.com is a great place to find used baby gear. However, the high cost of shipping large items may cause you to spend more than you really want to. A good way to get around that is to search on Ebay for items in your area. I like to do a search
4. Thrift Stores – There are two types of thrift stores. There are those that are run by or for a charity. They sell donated merchandise and all proceeds go to the charity. The other type of thrift store is privately owned and is for-profit. For-profit thrift stores are so similar to consignment stores that this section will address charity thrift stores. Because these shops resell donated items, they are typically less choosey about what they are willing to sell. As a result, you will find far more stained or broken items in a thrift store than you will in a consignment shop. That being said, keep in mind that thrift stores generally price their items much cheaper than consignment stores. So if you are willing to spend a little time sifting through the junk, you can usually uncover some amazing deals. For example, I recently found a changing table in a thrift store for $10. The only problem it had was that it was missing a single screw.
5. Yard Sales – When it comes to baby stuff, yard sales are treasure troves. Most folks realize that baby gear is in high demand so when they advertise their sales, they will typically mention the baby items. Then again, not everyone advertises their yard sales, so especially in the spring, drive around and look for them. When shopping at yard sales, go early to get the best selection and don’t be afraid to negotiate. If you find something you want but it costs more than you are willing to pay, ask the seller when he or she is ending the sale. Make a note of the item, the address, and the closing time and return an hour before closing to see if the item has sold. By the end of the day, most sellers are practically willing to give their stuff away rather than take it back inside. Alternately, you could give the seller your number and ask him or her to contact you if the item doesn’t sell.

Whenever you buy anything used (and particularly when it is for a baby), be sure to check it out thoroughly before completing the sale. One of the best “deals” I ever got was a $5 bassinet at a yard sale. I was so excited until I brought it home and found mold on some of the padding. The padding could not be removed without tearing up the bassinet so I ended up throwing the whole thing away. From then on, I was always careful to check over every inch of an item before buying it.