Having a child presents new and unexpected costs at every turn. Saving money and time wherever possible means you’ll have more of both for your little one, and maybe even a little for yourself! Furniture items for babies are always costly because of the importance in getting a well designed, well crafted item; it’s not an area on which you want to skimp. However, there are plenty of ways that you can save time and money without cutting corners:
Quality, Not Quantity
Buying one good quality cot is an infinitely better option that buying a poor quality one that may have to be replaced. A well crafted item made by an artisan out of durable materials will last through its years of use by your child, and can then be passed onto your next child, or the child of a friend or relative. An item with a history and heritage will be a joy for all who use it, and will save you money in the long run.
Learn to Love Pre-loved
If funds are tight, you are have a far higher chance of getting a cot you’ll be happy with by buying second hand rather than by picking up a mass-produced cheapie. Given that cots are outgrown quickly there is a glut of good quality second hand ones on the market: visit a charity shop, Ebay or Gumtree. This rule applies with any purchase, but especially with baby products; make sure you get to see the item and test it for safety before purchasing it.
Know Your Limits
Make sure you’ve measured the room and looked at your budget to get a realistic idea of what you’ll need and what you’re able to spend. Don’t get talked into something by a salesperson; head into the shop already knowing what you want. Otherwise, you might end up buying a bunch of things your child doesn’t need and will probably outgrow very quickly. You might then have to avail the services of Junk Master Denver (or a similar service) to safely remove all the junk. So make sure you only buy the things you need, to save money and reduce the clutter in your home.
Minimal Spend, Maximum Gain
Australian bed company Bunkers (head to for Bunkers Australia product description) has a clever solution that not only uses room space economically but also saves a huge amount of time and money by offering the ‘convert-a-cot’ bed. The convert-a-cot is a regular-size cot mounted on a single bed frame with two deep storage draws mounted at the head of the bed. When your child no longer requires the cot bars, they can be removed to make a ‘training bed’. When your child has outgrown the size of the mattress the drawers are dismounted and then serve as a bedside table for a regular-size single bed. At that point, you may have to invest in a new single-bed mattress that is comfortable and durable. You can look online for the Best Mattress Australia (or elsewhere) to find various options to purchase from. In this way, the convert-a-cot will see your child through from birth ‘til well into their early teens or longer.
Do Your Research
No one is aloof from baby-brain, so try to head it off wherever possible by making purchasing decision well before you’ve got the credit card in hand. Research your options online or by asking around amongst family and friends to see what they recommend. When it comes to baby products, an impulse buy is almost always regretted.