** Current Specials and Best Buys **

The Bubsac app currently lists cloth and disposable nappy products from businesses Australia wide (and soon other baby products). The products below are those on sale. View these and more fabulous products on one easy app, download here for FREE: http://bit.ly/bubsacapp

Destination Green- FREE postage on reusable training pants ($12.95 each).

Bonnibuns- Selected items heavily reduced, see the FIRESALE photo album on their Facebook page for full details.

Hippybottomus- 50% off girls summer clothing and handmade products SALE.

Bouncing Sprouts- FREE shipping Australia wide & no minimum spend. Check out their fantastic Baba+Boo modern cloth nappies.

House of Nappies- Snookums Absorbers X Large 464pk now $140.00 (save $10)

Bubeez Modern cloth nappies- 20% off storewide, see their Facebook page to claim the offer.

BIG W- Snugglers jumbo boxes $20.00

Woolworths- Huggies Jumbo nappies or nappy pants, $30.00 (save $3)

– Huggies Baby wipes 384pk, $13.00 (save $6.96)

Best Buy-

Coles Comfy Bots Infant 4-8kg, 56 pack, $11.00 (0.20c per nappy)

Bubeez Modern cloth nappies- 20% off storewide, see their Facebook page to claim the offer.

BIG W- Snugglers jumbo boxes $20.00
– Huggies Jumbo nappies or nappy pants $28.00 (save $4.75)

Woolworths- Huggies Jumbo nappies or nappy pants, $30.00 (save $3)
– Huggies Baby wipes 384pk, $13.00 (save $6.96)

Bouncing Sprouts- FREE shipping Australia wide & no minimum spend. Check out their fantastic Baba+Boo modern cloth nappies.

Best Buys:
Aldi Mamia disposable nappies- Infant to Junior packs all $10.99.

Did you hire a baby capsule?

I have one overall tip and that is to set and follow a budget as best you can. This will help you recognize where you are spending your money and if at all you can make any adjustments to save. I suggest doing this during pregnancy and if possible start saving now. Set up a bank account for your little one and make small deposits on a regular basis. You will be surprised how quickly it adds up.

1. Buy disposable nappies in bulk, as they are generally cheaper. You also won’t have to buy them as often.

2. Use modern cloth nappies and reusable cloth wipes. Cloth nappies have come a long way and this could save you thousands of dollars.

3. If you use disposable nappies you could try using Huggies nappies at night and a cheaper brand during the day, or even cloth nappies during the day.

4. If you are worried about trying a new nappy brand, many companies offer a free sample. Otherwise ask a friend what they use or ask us and we’ll post on our page.

5. Buy “ factory seconds” disposable nappies. Most times there is nothing wrong with them, you may only get one or two duds.

6. Use a wet cloth or face washer to wipe your baby/child after eating, instead of using baby wipes.

7. Take all hand-me-down clothes and shoes that are offered, especially if you need clothes for childcare or playgroup.

8. Libraries: There are three great libraries available these days.

Toy libraries- usually run by its members, where you pay a small yearly fee to join that allows you to borrow toys for a certain period of time before swapping them again. Great for large items and for trying out different toys to see if your child likes them.

Book libraries- when your children get a bit older and like looking at books a library is a great place to be a member of. They often run story time and do small activities for children.

Nappy libraries- a relatively new concept where you can hire out modern cloth nappies to try. A great idea if you are not sure which ones to buy. Simply try a few brands before committing to purchasing a whole heap of nappies.

9. When shopping for baby clothes or just shopping in general, keep a list in your bag of the clothes that you already have, in each size that you have. For example, size 1 shorts, size 2 t-shirts, singlet’s etc.

Then, if you see clothes on sale, especially at the end of each season, you can buy items in the sizes you need, without ending up with too many clothes of the one size or item.

10. As your due date approaches, check the balance of your phone and internet allowance so that when you start making calls and sending messages about your little ones arrival, you don’t go over your credit limit.

It is very easy to lose track of things in all the excitement and end up racking up a huge phone bill.

11. Every week when you do a grocery shop, add an extra $10 gift card to your shop. By the end of your pregnancy you could have up to $400 in gift cards that you can then spend on the extra items you will need once your baby arrives.

12. Before your baby is actually standing and walking, shoes won’t really be necessary. Hold off on the shoes and just buy some decent socks that will stay on and keep those tootsies warm.

13. Putting things on layby can save you a lot of money and time, if you know what you want to buy. Layby is also a great option if you are not so good at putting (and keeping) money in a savings account.

Often during June and July, a lot of businesses have sales and this can be a great time to put things on layby for Christmas and birthdays.

My top suggestions if you are thinking about putting items on layby:

– Make sure the items you are putting on layby are things you want/need

– Do your research into the item so when it comes on ‘sale’ you know how much of a saving you are getting.

– If you are purchasing something now for Christmas, think about how old your baby/child will be and make sure it is appropriate.

– Make sure you read the terms of the layby. For example- Is it interest free? How many weeks do you have to pay it off? And can you afford it?

14. Stock up on kids clothes at the end of each season for the year after. Buy them either one or two sizes bigger. You can often get kids clothes for half price or even less.

15. If you buy nappies that come in a box, save a box every now and then to put your babies clothes in that they have outgrown.

You can make a box for every size, label them easily and they stack really well in your cupboard or even under the bed.

16. Babies and children judge gifts on the fun factor, not the cost, so you don’t need to spend a fortune to make them happy!! Things like kitchen utensils, pots and pans, an old remote or old phone make great ‘toys’.

17. If you have gender specific bedding from your first child, it is not essential to go and buy bedding to suit another gender for subsequent children. Your baby will not know the difference, and if the bedding is still in great condition, save the money for something else, like nappies and wipes.

8. Buy and sell different items on ebay, Gumtree and Buy, Swap and Sell pages. Especially brands you know and trust, and for items you are not sure how much use you will get out of.

19. Check to see if you are entitled to any benefits through Centrelink. It may be a hassle to fill out the forms but every little bit helps.

20. When your baby starts on solids, make your own. Cook up different mashed fruits and vegetables and freeze in ice cube trays. If you are prepared beforehand it will make it so much easier.

As always, these tips are just that, tips. From my experience (only 5 years as a mum) the above tips can come in handy when you feel overwhelmed about how much a baby/child can cost.

If you have any tips you would like to share feel free to comment below.

Key items needed:

– Nappies (disposable or cloth)

– Wipes (disposable or cloth)

– Nappy rash cream

– Singlet’s

– Jumpsuits/grow suits

– Wraps or swaddles

– Cot or bassinette

– Mattress

– Cot sheets and mattress protector

– Pram/stroller and/or a baby sling/carrier (depending on your needs)

– Car seat (or possibly hire a capsule for a few months)

– Change mat and/or change table (you could just put the change mat on a chest of drawers, floor or dining table)

– Burp cloths (I used the old style flat cloth nappy squares)

– Maternity bra’s (if breastfeeding)

– Bottles, formula and sterilizing equipment (if bottle feeding)

– Baby bibs

– Nappy bag (this may just be a bag you already have that is big enough for the essential items.

There are many other useful (but not essential) items that you may choose to buy for your baby.

– Portable cot

– Bouncer or rocker

– Additional clothing depending on the climate

– Baby bath

– The list is (potentially) endless………

My biggest tip would be to wait until your baby is born and you figure out what extra’s you may need.

Remember, you will most likely be given gifts from family and friends so you do not need to buy everything at once.

Your baby will grow and change very quickly, enjoy every stage as it comes and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.