Kids are expensive, that’s a fact of life! With coupons, shopping sales, and the myriad of programs that manufacturers run to entice and keep consumers coming back, you will never pay full price for anything baby or kid related again!
Diapers: Huggies and Pampers both have a long running loyalty programs. Each package of diapers and wipes contains a code that can be entered on the manufacturer’s website. Codes are worth points, and those points can be redeemed for gift cards, toys, even free diapers and wipes! Depending on the size of the package, the amount of points varies. Larger packages yield more points. Visit Huggies and Pampers websites to learn more each program and the amount of points that can be earned from each package. Make sure to sign up for their newsletters too. Codes are sometimes in the newsletters too.
From Left to Right: Sample Pampers and Huggies Codes found in diaper and wipe packages.Some stores (Target, Babies R' Us, and Walgreens to name just two) allow you to stack a manufacturer coupon and store coupon. Frequently Target has printable store coupons on their website.
Target store coupon from Target.com/coupons
Coupons available from coupons.com
Formula: For those that will be formula feeding their baby, three of the major formula manufacturers (Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber Good Start) offer high value coupons and/or formula checks and usually samples. Formula checks can be defined as a combination of coupon and an item specific gift certificate. They look like checks and are usually for a high value. Retailers accept them and deposit them like the checks you write from your own checkbook. The formula manufacturers honor the check and the retailer receives the face value of the formula check. Many stores allow you to pair a formula check with a coupon for even more savings. Target allows you to use a formula check, a manufacturer coupon and a target coupon!
Formula Checks. To receive these, visit the infant formula websites and sign up:Enfamil
Similac
Gerber
Sample of a manufacturer's infant formula coupon from a newspaper insert.Once your baby is old enough to eat baby food, Gerber will send you coupons for cents and dollars off jars of baby food and snacks (like puffs and yogurt melts). Sign up with Beechnut and they will send you some great coupons for rice cereal, baby food and snacks.
Clothing, Toys, and misc. baby stuff: Babies need a lot of STUFF. If you have friends or relatives with babies, you may receive a lot of hand me downs, and that is great. It will save you a lot of money and time. Another cost saving measure is to visit consignment shops tailored to babies and kids. Most consignment shops buy and trade clothes, toys, and furniture. Craigslist is also a great choice!
Before buying or accepting a carseat, crib, stroller, or baby carrier, check to make sure that it has not been a part of a recall. In the case of carseats and bases, check to make sure the carseat is not expired. Carseats are safe for 5 years. After that time, the components can break down, the plastic can weaken, the straps can stretch and no longer hold in the child safely.
When your child grows into the next size, you can take the outgrown clothes to a consignment shop and exchange the outgrown clothes for new (to you!) baby clothes. We have done that with Little Mans' clothes since he was little tiny, and it's a great way to save money!
Little Man sleeping in the Pack N' Play at Granny's house on Thanksgiving. The shirt and sweater vest came from a local consignment store!
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