When my husband and I were undergoing family planning to have a baby, we budgeted $30,000. This amount was estimated for pregnancy, delivery, and costs in the first year of life.
It was to my surprise that we had barely even spent a third of what was budgeted. That’s right, we had spent less than $10,000 in total in my baby’s first year!
How To Save More Than $20,000 In Baby’s First Year
Image courtesy: iStock
Here are 10 ways I did it:
1. Register for Free Samples
Register yourself for free samples to get a feel of what’s available in the market. There are many places to get your hands on free samples in Singapore.
2. Buy in Bulk Online
Buying in bulk also allows you to stack vouchers and coupons together with your cash-back reward cards. I am counting these “savings” as money earned through cashback.
3. Breastfeed or Express milk for your Baby
I was lucky that I am blessed with an adequate amount of breast milk to nourish my baby until her first year of life. If you’re like me, you can also save a lot on formula milk!
And even potential pathologies that can be avoided with breastmilk.
4. Skip Sizes for Baby Clothes
Baby sizes typically range from 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months. It is funny when I realise that even at 9 months, my baby can still fit into sizes meant for 6 months.
A way to save money is definitely to buy larger sizes for your baby to grow into.
5. Buy Dual-Purpose / Convertible Furnitures or Accessories
There are many items that we buy for babies that may have little or no use.
A changing table is one such example. You probably won’t use it once your baby learns how to flip. And that can be in a matter of two to four months in the baby’s first year.
Image courtesy: iStock
6. Ask for Babysitting Help
Infant care in Singapore can cost up to $1,500-$2,000 per month. You can potentially save a lot if your parents (or mother-in-law or aunt) are willing to help with babysitting in the baby’s first year.
7. Prepare your Own Baby Food
Instant baby food can be a life-saver for many of our busy lifestyles. And of course, fresh food is always better. Make one serving and save another. To prepare baby food in bulk, you can freeze the leftovers in ice trays to heat up over the week.
8. Buy Quality Gear
Many times, it makes sense to pay a little more for quality. A good car seat or stroller may last until your baby is a toddler.
Getting quality items that last for a longer time is often more cost-effective than buying stuff that will break easily.
9. Buy Second Hand or Ask for Hand-Me-Downs
If you know anyone whose children have already grown up and have a storeroom filled with items to give away, you’re in luck.
Otherwise, you can also consider buying second-hand. Carousell and many parenting Facebook groups are a good place where other parents bless or sell their baby items.
10. Get Vaccinated at Polyclinics
Compulsory vaccines under the national vaccination programme are FREE in polyclinics! This is a lot cheaper than if you chose to visit a PD for health checks and vaccinations!
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned
These are some methods that I have employed for myself to save money! With the extra surplus, I will be putting it in my baby’s future, allowing it to multiply as she grows. Hopefully, she will thank me in time to come!
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