Having a baby does not only cost your Netflix-binge time, but also a large portion of your paycheck. New parents on average change about 2,500 diapers in their first year. A diaper costs around $0.39 – by the end of the year, the cost of a newborn’s diapers accumulates to approximately $975. Let’s not forget the disposable wipes that cost $240 and diaper bag priced $60. That yields a total cost of $1,275. Although the number seems overwhelming, you can always beat it and stay under 1k by practicing ways to save money on diapers.
How to Save Money on Diapers
1. Become the Diaper Deal Master
The $975 price applies to diapers without discounts and coupons. Instead of depending on your local stores, expand your sources by researching coupons online and see which of them offer the best prices. Compare diaper prices from Target, Amazon, Walmart, and more.
2. Calculate price per diaper, not price per package
Every time you go on diaper shopping, calculate price per diaper and see if it exceeds the average cost of $0.39. Do not ever buy based on the package price. The amount of diapers differs and even if some brands are on sale, if you actually do the math they might turn out higher than other non-sale brands.
3. Use cloth diapers
Some parents use cloth diapers in order to save money. To those whose toddlers experience diaper rash, they do not have much choice except using cloth diapers. There are pros and cons of using this type of diapers.
Pros:
- It’s reusable.
- It’s eco-friendly.
- It’s money savvy.
Cons:
- You have to cold wash, hot wash with detergent, and rinse again. Depending on the fabric, you might need to steam it.
- You need to choose the right detergent that suits the chemistry of your baby’s urine. A toddler who is still at the breastfeeding stage and a baby who eats solid food will produce different stains.
- You will spend hours doing this weekly and it won’t be the best memory of parenthood. Also, your Saturday brunches are over. Bid adieu to your friends.
Cloth diapers may seem like the most budget-friendly option at a glance, but other factors such as your time cost, water bill, and detergent spending come into play. Keep those in mind before taking this path.
4. Linger around the “various size”
Many amateur parents make the mistake of switching diaper sizes as soon as their goblins reach a certain weight. Truth is, there is not a law that says you must go from “various size” to “large size” immediately. Large sized diaper packages contain fewer numbers, yet they are priced as high as various-sized ones. Even if your kid is growing up, if they can still comfortably fit in their previous size, stick to it.
5. Buy in bulk
Treat diapers like how you treated water bottles back in freshman year – buy them in bulks. Generally, purchasing them in large amounts saves you several dollars. FSA Store sells diapers in bulks, that you can top it with $10 off coupon when you spend $100 or more. Additionally, it is also offering a $5 off coupon on purchases exceeding $35.
6. Always take advantage of discounts
Even if you have hundred diapers at home, never pass on a special deal. Raising a baby is costly and you need to practice saving now in order to start setting up that 200k college fund.
Depending on how much you stack up on discounts and take advantage of deals, you can save $200 or more. While meeting the needs of your kid is crucial, preparing for the future cost is just as essential.