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MNHQ

Top money saving tips - for mag article -- can you help?

23 replies

carriemumsnet · 14/12/2006 21:19

We've been asked for our opinion on how you can minimise the cost of having kids - we have a few ideas, but just know that you will all have lots more and they'll all be better/funnier/cleverer.... Deadline is tomorrow a.m so if you have any favourites, please post them here
Thanks in advance
MNHQ

OP posts:
morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:23

Don't buy ANYTHING new

It's all bollocks, come on Mumsnet and discover that actually a Baby Changing Table is just another way for your baby to smack his head on the floor from a Great Height and squirt arcs of poo across the room. What the f is wrong with THE FLOOR?

Buy everything second hand

Ebay

Become a Packed Lunch Expert

Just buy EVERYTHING second hand, really

Freecycle

I've been putting bags of as-new baby clothes and all sorts of baby equipment on FREECYCLE and nobody wants them!!!!!! so I'm going to have to take them to the DUMP!

DoesntChristmasDragOn · 14/12/2006 21:24

Sell your older children in order to finance the new arrival or recoup some of the cost of all the initial outlay.

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:25

And don't forget to claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit

Have those forms ready to post

Don't forget that you are owed HOLIDAY accrued on Maternity leave - if you leave work after this don't forget to remind the buggers to pay you this holiday entitlement

moondog · 14/12/2006 21:25

MP,take them to a women's aid place.
They will be soooooo grateful.

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:26

Pffffffffft Soupy

I put my older children on FREECYCLE AND NO ONE WANTED THEM!!!! So I had to take them to the DUMP!

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:26

Moondog I rang the women's shelter - they said that they had too much stuff, very sorry!!!!! Gutting.

DoesntChristmasDragOn · 14/12/2006 21:27

Ebay, MP, it's the only way to go. People are suspicious if you try to give them away free of charge. Ebay with a reasonably high starting bid. Trust me.

ballbaby · 14/12/2006 21:30

Decorate your nursery in a colour you like and use removable stickers like these to brighten it up. As they grow older change the stickers to suit - they love putting them on when they're big enough. No more decorating - more time and money to spend on your kids!

SenoraPostrophe · 14/12/2006 21:30

feed them leftovers. they don't appreciate things you cook for them anyway.

don't buy any of the latest gadgets. remember people have been bringing up babies without breathing monitors/shaped mattresses/double suspension pushchairs for thousands of years.

cloth nappies

second hand things

send them out to work early, or at least get them to tidy up more so you can sack the cleaner.

moondog · 14/12/2006 21:33

Blimey.......

charliecat · 14/12/2006 21:33

Dont buy anything new. Buy cheap baby clothes if you really cant have Tnd hand ones. they only wear them for 3 weeks before they are too small/stained.
Dont buy tons of toys. They only clutter up your house. And they can only buy one at a time.
Use terrys and breastfeed.

charliecat · 14/12/2006 21:34

er.that should be 2nd hand and play with one at a time.

SenoraPostrophe · 14/12/2006 21:36

oh yes, breastfeeding. saves a fortune.

I really think they make the figures up in those surveys that say kids cost £2000 per year or whatever. mine don't cost that between them.

scatterbrain · 14/12/2006 21:38

Set up a babysitting circle with your friends and neighbours - lots of free babysitting !

Borrow anything you can from friends - car seats, baby swings, activity centres, bouncy chairs etc are used for such a short time and are usually in fantastic condition after one child.

When Woolworths etc have "3 for 2" offers on buy a few items for your present box - you either get free toys for your own child or three cheaper presents to give away !

colditz · 14/12/2006 21:38

Learn to sy no. Honestly, I am always shocked at the amount of parents who cannot say no.

"Mummy, can I have a Nintendo Wiiii for Christmas?"! "No, darling, I love you but cannot afford a present like that."

£500 saved

scatterbrain · 14/12/2006 21:39

Use a damp flannel rather than wipes for hands and faces ! Put one in a sealable sandwich bag or tupperware box when travelling !

scatterbrain · 14/12/2006 21:41

Never let them watch TV channels with toy adverts on - they will just want everything they see - likewise don't let them rummage through the Argos catalogue !

My dd says "I want that - what is it ?" !

olittletownofberolina · 14/12/2006 21:45

Swap/lend/borrow/circulate clothes among friends.

You do not have to bath them every day (unless they're filthy, of course), and you do not have to use bubbles and lotions and potions (except nappy cream, possibly, and any cream for eczema etc.) for the first year or so. Similarly, use cheap flannels + water instead of wipes.

As SP said, most gadgetry is entirely unnecessary. A pan on the hob will do just as well as a steriliser.

If they don't finish food at one meal you can reheat it once without poisoning risk.

Do baby led weaning. Saves all those purees and (gasp) jars. You can give them what you're having, within reason.

Don't fall for cons such as 'growing-up milk'.

charliecat · 14/12/2006 21:45

Tell them that when the ice cream van makes that noise that it means its empty
Also dont get into the habit of buying sweets and toys on every outing, when you have 3 children a few years later its VERY expensive.

scatterbrain · 14/12/2006 21:47

Oh and make sure they know that you need special coins to operate those terrible rides at supermarkets and shopping centres - and unfortunately you don't know where you can get them from !

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:48

Gosh yes jars - just mush up what you are eating

Never used wipes - just use flannels and water or loo-roll

I am just learning the value of Cling Film - why cook two meals when they won't eat one?!

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:49

Make sure that they develop The Fear about those rides at Supermarkets "Oooh no they are TERRIBLY noisy and scary"

morningpaper · 14/12/2006 21:50

Children's meals often come with free drinks and refills for Coke/Juice etc - so you can pig out while they have water!

I do this ALL THE TIME - saves a fortune.

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