8/9/23 - Wednesday

Brought to you by:
🧑‍🌾 The Next Right Thing 🧑‍🌾

I (Jen) had my second baby in March and after four years of parenting, you’d think I’d be better equipped to do this.

But I still have no clue what I’m doing. 🙃

The one thing I am good at though is not spending a lot of money on a baby (a skill that’s proving to be more difficult to maintain with a four-year-old.)

So if you have a baby, want to have a baby, or know someone having a baby, here are my top tips for budget-friendly babies.

1. Breastfeed if possible! Breast milk is free 🤱🏻, nutritious, and beneficial for both baby and mom. TBH, I hated breastfeeding but I did it for 6 months with my first and 3 months this time around because of the money and health benefits. And when I leave the pediatrician I take as many formula samples as my bag can hold. The nurses approved.

2. Buy secondhand and ask for hand-me-downs: Look for gently used baby clothes 👕, furniture, and gear from local thrift stores, online marketplaces, or baby consignment shops. Babies don’t care what they look like! Cherish that because in four years they will have a lot of opinions on clothes.

3.  Explore community resources: Local libraries, community centers, and parenting groups 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 often offer free or low-cost baby classes and activities. The read and sing-a-longs at our local library have saved me from many recreational trips to Target.​

4. Research healthcare options! Compare insurance plans and explore government programs that can help cover medical expenses for your baby. We saved money by putting our first on Medikids (Medicaid for kids under 4) instead of the insurance we had through work. Our income didn’t qualify us for free insurance but what we did pay was much more affordable than having him on our insurance.

Until next time,

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