Money Saving Thursday.....for moms

Oops....I forgot to post this yesterday.  Please forgive me.  My children have been sick, I have been sick.  We still aren't done with Christmas yet.  The list of excuses could go on and on.  But, rather than make excuses for my tardiness, I will go ahead and get to work.

Today is not so much about saving money as it is about not wasting money.  And really, so you know, today is focused primarily on new moms or moms-to-be.  So, if you don't fit into this category....KEEP READING.  You probably know someone who is, or you will probably at some point be buying a shower gift for a new mom and you need to know the best way to spend your money!

It is so easy to waste money on baby products.  The media/society/internet/other moms have convinced us all that we need every new and wonderful baby product that hits the market and if we don't have it we are bad parents.  NOT TRUE.  While I did not buy all of the products I will mention today, I did buy some of them and boy, were they a waste of money.  So, hopefully my list of what NOT to buy will help you out also!

Special thanks to Kel for giving me the idea for this post!

What NOT to buy for your baby.

#1.  Diaper Genie.  Total. waste. of. money.  Sure, it seems great in theory.  After all, who wants to walk ALL the way to the garage to throw away a diaper?  Especially when your brand new baby is going ALL THE TIME.  I get it.  I have two kids.  They dirty diapers with the best of them.  But seriously, you are paying $30 or more for the diaper genie (trash can), and then have to spend $5-$6 for a refill of liners (trash bags) and you have to do this over and over during the diaper era which can last 2 or more years.  HELLO.  Those people are marketing wizards.   Take my advice and avoid this product.  If the thought of a diaper in your trash can grosses you out, put a trash bag in the garage and put them there.  Trust me, when you start feeding your baby real food, you aren't going to want to keep those diapers in your house anyway.  Even in a diaper genie.  Talk about SMELLY.  You will want those things OUT.  Avoid the temptation.  You will thank me later.

#2.  Wipe Warmer.  Seriously, a wipe warmer?  First of all, your kid doesn't know the difference.  Second, even if they did realize they were being wiped with a room-temperature wipe and not a warmed wipe, what makes you think they care?  Both my girls are wipe warmer free and neither one of them has ever complained about the un-warmed wipes.  Save your money.

#3.  Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker.  Some of you are not even sure what this is.  Others (like me) have seriously considered spending the $150 (plus money for recipe book and food storage containers) to be able to make your own baby food.  I am a HUGE advocate of making your own baby food.  It is a great way to save money and feed your baby only the freshest, most healthy foods.  However, the only tools you need are probably already in your kitchen.  You only need a steamer (or microwave or stove and a pot to cook in, or an oven), a food processor (or blender or food mill), and some old school ice trays.  Don't be silly and spend this much money when you probably have everything you need at home.

#4. Baby monitor with video.  I totally get the appeal of this item.  Who doesn't want to be able to watch their little one sleeping?   But this particular item is not for the normal parent.  It is for the mom who worries, "Is my baby still breathing?  I haven't heard her in 30 minutes...I must go check on her."  I understand the craziness that comes right after having a baby.  Especially when they start to sleep longer and longer.  It kinda freaks you out.  You start thinking about all the horrible things that might have happened in the room where you can't see them.  I won't list all of the irrational fears I had in case you haven't thought of those particular scenarios yet.  The fact is, your baby is fine.  Your baby is sleeping.  You should go to sleep, not stay up and check your video monitor every five (or less) minutes.  Also along the lines of a video monitor is a sensor pad underneath your baby's mattress that alerts you if no movement has been made in 20 seconds....BAD IDEA.  Again, go to sleep.  These companies know your worry is on overdrive.  They market products to you based on your fear.  Don't give in.

#5.  Lots of newborn clothes.  Thing about those newborns, they grow.  And they grow fast.  Giving in to the temptation to buy tons of newborn clothes is so easy.  They are so cute and so small and so precious.  I know, I have two girls.  So go ahead, get some, but not a lot.  And know that it is very probable that those precious newborn clothes that you drooled over in the store and came home and laundered in special detergent and folded so neatly in the drawer and took such care of are going to end up pooped on, puked on and stained.   Babies have a knack for waiting until you have put them in said clothes for something important like pictures or church or a visit from friends to unleash the largest blowout diaper in history, or the grossest spit up episode EVER.  Don't believe me?  Ask any other mom you know.  I speak the truth.  Just be prepared. 

That's it.  My list of what not to buy.  Save your money for diapers or wipes or any of the many other things you will need for your little one.  And for any moms out there who are reading, I would love to hear what you think is the best or worst thing you spent money on for your baby!