Frugal Parenting

I found an interesting concept that I’m thinking about using for my baby shower - the Alternative Gift Registry . If you care about frugality and buying things used, this registry is pretty awesome. I’m not sure how my friends and family would take such a registry, but it sounds like a neat idea.

Some of the things that can be added to an alternative registry include - used baby clothes, babysitting, dinners, cloth diapers, etc. Here is a sample baby registry , so you can see how it works. You can also use it for a wedding registry as well. Pretty interesting concept, huh?

I like it. Because sometimes I think that all this new stuff we’re getting for our baby really isn’t necessary - we would be just as happy with used items. (In fact, just about every item of clothing we have for our baby is either used already by cousins or bought at a yard sale.)

Whether or not I use the Alternative Gift Registry , I really like the concept. What do you think?

Oh my goodness! I have found one of the BEST resources for parents of infants or young children  who are looking to save money by making their own products. Make Baby Stuff .  If you are hoping to save money by making baby food, baby wipes, cleaning products, or a variety of other things - this is the site for you!

Make Baby Stuff shares tons of simple projects you can do to save money. I want a baby wrap for my baby, but they can cost from $25-$60. Guess what? Turns out you can make your own with a few yards of fabric. You don’t even have to know how to sew.

That’s just one project that will save you money.  Check out  Make Baby Stuff for tons of other money-saving baby projects.

I don’t yet have a baby (though I will very soon!), but I’m putting a lot of thought into the things I would like to do when the baby arrives. One of those things is to make my own baby food. Not only is it the more frugal choice, I feel that it is also healthier. I get to control the freshness of the food, the types of ingredients that go into the food, and other things like organic, locally grown, etc.

But let’s get down to the fact that it’s cheaper! Because from everything I read, making your own baby food is much cheaper than buying the jars from the store. I read an article today on Baby Fit that gives tips for making your own baby food . The article is worth a read, but this is what I got out of it:

• Cleanliness is paramount, so keep your kitchen clean and sterile when making baby food. This includes thoroughly washing the foods before processing them.
• Make nutritious choices and follow doctor’s recommendations when making your food. Choose fruits and vegetables that are fresh or frozen.
• Choose foods and textures that are appropriate for your baby’s age and development. For example, a younger baby won’t be able to handle anything more than puree.
• Make sure to store the food properly. Homemade baby food can be refrigerated for up to three days. To store it longer, fill an ice cube tray with the baby food, and then once frozen, store the frozen pieces in a zip lock baggie. Pretsto! You’ve got baby food whenever you need it.

The article also includes some easy baby food recipes, so check it out and give them a try.