My Pregnancy Money-Saving Diary

purplepatch

madmamma wrote:

I've got 3 kids, unfortunately I didn't try this until the 3rd one, but even so I couldn't believe how much money it saved me:
Use Real Nappies!!!!!!
I know, I know it sounds disgusting but honestly you soon get used to it and poo is poo whether its on a disposable or reusable, use flushable liners and you can just chuck it down the loo and use a bucket with a few drops of tea tree oil in the water and the smell isn't too bad either! I used disposables when we went anywhere and they were more faff to be honest. Oh and after I'd finished with them I sold them on ebay. Cast to me £130 sold for £60 so £70 for 2 years worth of nappies!

Where did you get them from? It's something I'm considering second (mse) time around.

inkie

Don't know if you are a member of freecycle - but if not, join up and then place a wanted post for terries on - there are often offers of terries on our local freecycle.

InkieX

rozeepozee

This is a FAB thread as I'm 17 weeks pregnant with my first and keen to be sensible and environmentally friendly with this bub. Thanks for all the great tips so far. I just assumed the babyclubs would give money off vouchers, not freebies so I will be signing up to them all very soon.

pavlovs_dog

this thread may be of interest to you all with regards to having (and raising) babies on the cheap

cheekygeordie

Congrats Jo. My wife is overdue with baby 2 (due last friday). We have definitely spent less this time i.e plug in bottle warmers - why not bottle in plastic jug of warm water, but still keen on dodey (dummy) strings rather than the ribbon and safety pin suggested by my mum.

From this week's bulletin spotted a deal for mums to be to get free first class train travel upgrades in certain areas (First Capital Connect and Southwest trains). Have a look at site from following link (offer is called MUMS2B First Class Upgrade).

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/alpha_index.html#M

Apols if posted elsewhere but could not spot.

All the best
CG

jo_b_2

cheekygeordie wrote:

From this week's bulletin spotted a deal for mums to be to get free first class train travel upgrades in certain areas (First Capital Connect and Southwest trains). Have a look at site from following link (offer is called MUMS2B First Class Upgrade).

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/alpha_index.html#M

Apols if posted elsewhere but could not spot.

Thanks for the info. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere before. It's not available in my area, unfortunately.

Good luck to you and your wife with the new arrival!

AndrewA_3

Congratulations.

We saved a fortune by getting baby & toddler kit (cots, prams, buggies, backpacks, baby bath, washable nappies, toys...) & clothes second hand at National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sales. See http://www.nct.org.uk/local/events for your nearest NCT nearly new sale

cheers Andrew

bylromarha

jo_b wrote:

Thanks to everybody for your best wishes.:T

Now that I'm five weeks pregnant, it's time to go clubbing!:rotfl:

Done so far...

www.pampers.co.uk
www.huggiesclub.com
www.tesco.com/babyandtoddlerclub
www.boots.com/parentingclub
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/framestatic.aspx/Controls/Global/MotherAndBabyClub.ascx?zone=Bru
www.cowandgate.co.uk
www.smanutrition.co.uk
www.mamauk.com
www.bounty.com
www.emmasdiary.co.uk

Looking forward to all the baby related freebies pouring through the door.

Also made full use of my entitlement to free prescriptions this morning. Even though I haven't got any proof of pregnancy as yet, the pharmacist let me tick the box on the form, saving over £13 in prescription charges. The bad news is being ill in the first place (non-pregnancy related illness.)

I've sold over £40 worth of books on Amazon this week which will all help towards my maternity fund.

Jo, have you not found that these companies won't send you freebies this time around as it's your second child? I'm 36 weeks preg with the second and I've not had half the freebies and vouchers from pampers, huggies and co I had last time.

Has anyone found a way round this...obviously without bringing 2 addresses/false names etc into the equation?

jo_b_2

bylromarha wrote:

Jo, have you not found that these companies won't send you freebies this time around as it's your second child? I'm 36 weeks preg with the second and I've not had half the freebies and vouchers from pampers, huggies and co I had last time.

Has anyone found a way round this...obviously without bringing 2 addresses/false names etc into the equation?

Oh no - don't say that! I was looking forward to getting a repeat of all the goodies that I received first time around!

I've only just registered, Bylromarha, so I'll keep the thread updated with what arrives. Failing that I will start a 'direct sales' approach strategy and send emails out to appropriate companies asking for samples to use on my impending arrival!

jessanna

No no no! In my opinion if you didn't get on with the real nappies (leaks, not enough absorbency etc) I suspect you were using the wrong brand - get the brand right and you'll be a happy moneysaving bunny! Real nappies are just as absorbent as disposables, generally leak less and save you money (not to mention the 5000-6000 nappies you can save from landfill) A lot of the nappies available on the high street are not very good in my opinion - there's a far better range available on the internet - my favorite are Tots Bots.

For advice on finding the right brand talk to a nappy advisor - there are lots around. Visit https://www.nappyfinder.co.uk for a list of local advisors or contact https://www.lizziesrealnappies.org.uk - I found her really useful.

Many councils also offer incentives to encourage you to try them - free trial packs, cashback etc - so visit nappyfinder above or phone your local council.