Baby Furniture for Frugal Families
When new parents think of purchasing items for the nursery, the thought of buying baby furniture typically causes a new parent to panic. Visions of future credit card debt can make any new mom or dad break into a sweat.
However, there are ways to cut corners, and make furnishing the baby’s room less expensive. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase furniture for your baby’s room.
Baby Crib – New parents may think they need both a bassinet and a crib. The frugal shopper will choose to skip the bassinet, which is typically viewed as a luxury. The crib is a necessity, but the bassinet is only used for a few months, and is then stored in the garage.
When shopping for a crib, keep your eyes open for a bargain on a convertible style crib, which can transform from a crib, to a toddler bed, and then a full size bed. If you can invest in a convertible crib, it would alleviate the cost of a bed in the future.
Of course, co-sleeping is even more affordable than buying a crib or a bassinet. The decision to co-sleep can eliminate the expense of a crib all-together or delay the expense until you have time to shop around and find a bargain.
Baby Dresser – Baby’s dresser is an item that can oftentimes be picked up at a yard sale. Thrifty shoppers know that purchasing a full-sized dresser is more economical than buying a small dresser. Remember that you will eventually have to turn the baby room into a child’s bedroom, and a smart investment now can grow with your child through the years. Don’t be afraid to buy an older dresser. An older dresser can be as good as new with just a coat of paint, assuming all hardware is working well.
Changing Table – The changing table is a luxury for the frugal shopper. Check places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill as well as yard sales. These tables are often discarded when the baby outgrows them. Another option for a frugal changing table is to convert a full-size dresser into a changing table. If you search online, you can find instructions to easily turn your dresser into a safe place to change your baby. The changing table is an item some moms choose to do without, and, instead, set a blanket on the floor to change their babies on.
I am sure in a perfect world, we would all appreciate the luxury of going out and buying everything we need at a baby boutique. However, the reality is that baby does not need the most expensive furniture. Your baby needs only one thing, and that is you.
