Frugal Living 2010 - the final stretch

Frugaldom

Congratulations to all concerned and welcome to the new little frugalmite.

sparkle76

Hi all thank you for your congrats, we're still in shock and haven't even told our mums yet, so the 'real' world doesn't know yet!
I do have a normal MSE username but wanted this one for a little while whilst I get used to the baby news ;o)
Any suggestions as to what to prepare for now, whilst I have 8 months to get ready?
Also congrats Natalie on your little bundle!

grandma247

Buy toiletries etc for baby. I am reliably informed that Mr s value range is very good.
Also decide how you want to nappy your baby so you can prepare soon. If you go the cloth nappy route you can get a voucher from most local authorities to get you started. Also if you or a relative sews you can make nappies out of new material or recycled tshirts , cotton sweatshirts or sheets. There are a lot of free patterns on the net. typing diaper brings up loads of sites. Also freecycle is a good source of nappies. Even if you choose to use disposables I would still try and get at least six cloth ones of any kind in case you run out or something else happens.
Later on you can buy babygrows etc.
Sheets can be made from cut down bed sheets. Charity shops are a good source of sheets and blankets.
If you can crochet or knit you could make some blankets.
Babies do not need anything like the amount of stuff that advertisers would have you believe.
Basics such as a cot, pram or buggy type thing and something to put clothes in are all you need besides bottles and steriliser if you are bottle feeding.
You can then save your money for later when it really will be needed.
I have probably forgotten something since my youngest is now 11 but I am sure you will get suggestions from others.

cw18

My list of baby 'essentials' would include a good camera - and preferably a digital one.

I never took many pics of my kids as babies (pre-digi days, so all the faffing with threading films and the taking of several snaps to try and be sure of having one good one, then the cost of getting them developed often to find none had caught 'the moment') and I now really regret it

slowlyfading

Mine would be too ^^ I don't have a lot of pictures of myself growing up, so want to make sure that if I ever have children, that there are lots of photos of them

sparkle76

Thanks guys, such great ideas, really appreciate it. I am going to make a list soon that I can carry with me, with little ideas like that for when I am in a charity shop for example or a boot fair. Not that the cold and snow will enable much of that! I think Spring will be the time do start.
For now I am reading up and trying to get mentally ready!
OH is buying a new video camera, he was thinking about it before, but now definately wants one before VAT goes up, and has said the baby is reason enough - hmm, sounds like an excuse for a gadget to me To be fair his current video camera is around 4 years old, so he's been good :T

xnatalie81x

Morning all

Sparkle i have lots of tips - unfortunately i do not have much time to type them all with a new baby - so will jot some ideas down while i am feeding bubba and get them on here soon - like you say, you have 8 mths

One important thing to remember is FAMILY! Your mum, his mum etc will be so googley eyed when baby comes you will get loads of stuff - i am on baby 4 and have had absolutely tons of new clothes bought for me in various sizes (from a lot of the parents at my swim school) - my mum and ex mother in law have bought me nappies, clothes etc and given me money to buy extras as needed - i also have 2 sisters who have been great and just yesterday a bag full of 2nd had baby clothes in mainly 3-6/6-9 (i say 2nd hand but babies wear clothes for SUCH a short time they are excellent condition)

I bought only 3 newborn babygros from mothercare and a snowsuit from tesco in the sale plus 3 long sleeve gap vests and matching hats for a few pounds (my mum bought me a snowsuit on ebay newborn too)

You also get given a bounty pack in hospital with wipes and 4 newborn nappies. I personally only use pampers newborn for the first few months and change over to tesco ones from size 3 (i find pampers better for breastfed poo and the tesco newborn feel odd - i also cannot stand huggies but i got a voucher for a free pack somewhere) I don't use re-usable nappies. I never will use re-usable nappies. It is ultimately your choice

I bath baby in my washing up bowl at the moment and i will transfer him to the sink when bigger. I also have a sponge bath insert from tesco for £5.00 ready for when he is a few months but with my first i just used to get in with him - lovely bonding time too

Loads more to come

Budget still good - i am working on my last month before i start my new yearly budget in 2011 - have posted on the preparation stage

Mollymop5

I'm creeping shamfully back in............
Nyk (i remember you as nyk) good luck wherever you are now.

Thanks to all the new people keeping this going.I'm about to pop over to the other thread.New year, new budget!

grandma247

This
is what I have been busy with the last few weeks.

NualaBuala

Very very cute Grandma247 :T