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ithebabyblogs1 · 5 years

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The Savvy Mum

It's 22:39, my little boy is asleep, my husband is asleep and I'm wide-awake. So what do you do when are this awake???? You decide, I'm going to write a blog.

I could have started an hour ago, but I spent an hour pondering over ideas of what to write about and finally I had that light bulb moment. I am going to share my tips, I have picked up since becoming a mum and review items we bought for our little boy, that are highly recommended for any new parent or parents to be.

So what makes my blog different to any other mums blogging about baby tips. To be honest, there probably is no difference, however every experience and opinion is different and all I can say is the more you read about people's experience, tips and opinions the more it will guide you and help you make your own decisions.

Anyway, on with the blog. I have called my first blog 'The Savvy Mum', the reason for this is, I found that nobody tells you that unless you are married to someone rich, or you earn a lot of money, when you are on maternity leave, you don't earn a lot of money. This can be very overwhelming, especially when expecting your first child and you have to buy everything.

You will have everyone and anyone recommending this and telling you to buy that, and you will need this and all you can think about is, how I am going to afford all of this. You will find yourself looking at a list of '1000 essential items you will need for your new-born" and think shit!!!! do babies really need all this stuff?????

Well actually they don't. You can buy literally the essentials without having a baby bomb going off in your house and spending your entire life savings and your future pension.

Here are my tips on how to help you get your sav on.

1. Start Early - This is easier said than done. Start by looking at what you are going to need and write a list. Starting early will give you the opportunity to shop around. The later you leave it the more likely you are to panic buy.

2. Review, Review, Review - If you see an item you are thinking of buying, always try to find a review for it. A pram with the ability to fly in air might look amazing, but if you read the reviews you will see the wheels fall off.

3. ASK - Never be embarrassed to ask someone where they got a certain item from or their thoughts. Several mums asking what my thoughts are on the pram I am using, as they had seen it and were thinking of buying one, have approached me. Trust me they will be more than happy to help, to be honest they are pretty desperate to have an adult conversation.

4. How Long - One question I always ask is, "how long can he use it for". For example, I was asked if we purchased a Moses basket. The answer is no. When looking at options of what to buy, I noticed my little one would of outgrown his Moses baskets after three months, this meant I had to purchase another crib, as well as his cot for later. The longer they can use it, the better.

5. Second Hand - Don't be embarrassed to buy second hand. Look on places like eBay, Gumtree, boot sales, nearly new sales. I managed to get hold of a 'Bumbo for my little boy with its tray for £5!!!!!!! (Which usually retail for about £35) and they threw in a free baby walker.

6. Baby Events - Supermarkets run baby events nearly all the time. One particular supermarket beginning with A and ending in A and is made up of a total of four letters, runs baby events all time. This is where you will be able to stock up on your baby toiletries and nappies, as well as buy large packs of sleepsuits and various other items at knock down prices. Keep an eye out on their websites to know when they are on.

7. Clothing - At the beginning your baby will not need a lot. Trust me, when people say they grow up fast, they do, very fast. My little boy was born in 2018, during a long and very hot summer. He spent nearly that entire summer in his nappy and wore vests to bed. The nice few items I bought for him, he grew out of by the time he came to wearing them. It is so easy to go overboard with cute bits of clothing, but they will not wear it for long.

8. Keep it Neutral - I know, a pram with pink frills and bows is pretty; however try to think long term. If you are planning to have more kids, do you really want to buy everything again?

9. Multi use - Does the item you want to buy have a multi use. For example we bought a chair that my little one sleeps on, which then transforms into a highchair.

10. Finally tip 10 Bulk Buy – now is the time to get your hands on that wholesale card. The bigger the pack, the more the saving. It is amazing how much washing that little person can generate stock up with that Gigi pack of washing powder.

The bonus tip – The end aisles are NOT always where the bargains are. Make sure you wonder down the aisle where your items located. Just because it is on offer it might not be the best deal. The one on full price might get you those 10 extra nappies. You don’t have to be a maths genius, supermarkets already have worked out the price per piece for you (if you haven’t seen it, its on the price label, located on the shelves).

I hope all the above helps, if not, thank you for reading. I will be writing blogs on items we have for my little one and reviewing them and giving you my thoughts, as well as more tips I have picked up.

Until then, stay Savvy peeps.

#mums parenting mummytips mumtips baby babytips moneysaving newmum newmums

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