What frugal things did you do when you were pregnant? You might have worn your dh's big t-shirts around the house, instead of maternity shirts, for example. You might have been frugal with your clothing, the nursery furniture, the nursery decorations, the birth announcements, etc. What frugal things did you do?

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We bought most of our big things at garage sales. Our pack n play, our stroller, our exersaucer were all used. They did great and lasted throguh 3 additional children. Saved a ton of money.

I definitely wore lots of DH's clothes and sweats and things during my pregnancy. Maternity clothes are often so overpriced. I bought a couple nice outfits to wear out, but that was all.

There is an over abundance of used baby clothing in the world. I bought everything used except the "coming home" outfit. That was usually purchased after the ultrasound revealing the baby's gender. I always got like-new clothing for the rest of the wardrobe, and enjoyed shopping for it.

For my boys, I didn't buy a ton of baby furniture. Just a crib, carseat, swing, and later an exersaucer. For some, I can definitely see how a pack n play would come handy. I never missed a changing table, though they look nice.

Having a baby can be as lavish or as cheap as you want it. All the BABY needs is warm clean clothes, diapers, milk, and mama's love. Everything else is really for mom.

We're buying most of the baby's clothes used, but in great condition. We have bought a few things new, but mostly ones on clerance at an extra discount because DH doesnt want the kid to have all used stuff. My reasoning is they are going to outgrw it so quickl... but it's ok, I don't mind shopping, however I can. The crib was new, it was a gift, but we repainted an old, old dresser in two shades of blue so it looks fantastic, a friend surprised me with loaning a swing and we found a pack and play for $20 at a yard sale, so might have to get a bouncer new, but not too much other gear.

Clothes, I spent a little on those, but I got the nicest thing the other week, abox from my mom with some Target maternity clothes, that actually fit and don't look horrible, so I'm so grateful for those, because the few outfits I had I was sick to death of. There's no way I can wear DH's stuff, I'm 5'6 and he's 6'3 and just plain bigger all over. Even his boxers with the waist band rolled down don't fit me.

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I have bought clearanced short sleeve shirts a few sizes too big to make it through these hot months. I also have saved the baby clothes from my other children to reuse. We go to garage sales and find goodies there for the kids and baby. We switched to cloth diapers after our first. That saves a TON of money! I had always thought it would cost the same in energy and detergent, but that's a myth.

I designed our birth announcement on the computer and emailed as a pdf instead of sending out physical announcements (saved postage and the cost of getting them printed).

I did not buy any new furniture for our babies. With my oldest we bought a used crib, 2nd child, sil gave us a crib, 3rd baby never had a crib (used a playpen, then toddler bed). For #4 we did buy a crib for $100, we used it for #4, 5, 6, 7 and my grandson!!! The most we have ever spent on a dresser is $40. My nurseries had no theme or decoration. Crib sets are a waste of money, and you are not supposed to use quilts for babies anyway. Bumpers are dangerous too, so don't buy them.

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My DH is way to tall and broad shouldered for me to borrow any clothes. I bought belly bands in 2 colors to extend the wear of my clothes. I responded to a few Freecycle ads and got a few extra outfits for my DD and I received 2 baby swings from Freecycle as well. I also used a local online swap to get a pack n play and other baby stuff cheap.

I spent the most money on a new crib that converts to a full size bed and the matching chest of drawers. I wanted to have to buy a bed and chest only once.

Jen

Please don't hate me for this girls, but the last 3 pregnancies, I never wore anything but my regular clothes...You see, my body slowly loses weight during the first two trimesters, and during the third, I gain back exactly what I lost. I have worn the same size clothes for the past 10 years and 3 pregnancies....

I bought everything second hand except the carseat. I also signed up for every baby website and baby magazine offer I could find and got lots of freebies.

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Well I wear dh's shirts when I'm just hangin around the house. They are big and comfy and I don't have to worry about getting them dirty if I'm cleaning.

Also I didn't buy any maternity clothes. Gap and Old navy have tank tops on sale all the time and since they are a longer style this year that is what I've bought. I did buy 1 new pair of jeans but they weren't maternity either, just low rise and stretch denim.

My mom made the crib bedding for me because I couldn't find one that I liked for under $200! Then we made the curtains out of bedsheets. I took an old mirror I had in my kitchen and spray painted the frame to match her room. My mom made her a toy box from a wooden box she found at a yard sale for $3 we just spray painted it and covered the lid with a piece of fabric my mom embroidered with her name.

I shopped from the moment I found out we were having a girl so I was able to buy everything I've bought on sale. Definitely pays to plan ahead.

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