Beg, Borrow, and "Steel" Peace

Babies are expensive. 

Having babies is expensive. 

Those sweet, squishy, delicious babies have a heavy price tag around their little, yummy toes. 

So, as budgeting people, how do we afford our delicious bundles of joy? 

They usually don't cost anything to make. (wink wink)

But after conception, it's gets PRICEY. 

We add to our "eating out" budget when I get pregnant because I am worthless the first trimester and can't make toast without puking. 

You think I'm kidding. 

But I'm not. 

Worth. Less.

And then there's prenatal care. 

And vitamins. 

And maternity clothes. 

And baby prep.

And... And.... And....the baby's not even here yet!!! 

How on earth do budget conscious people have babies? Let alone more than one?? 

Here's how:

BEG, BORROW, and STEEL 

Let's start with Beg. 

Have a birthday coming up? Ask for onesies. 

Christmas while pregnant? Ask for diapers. (Don't be ashamed, people often enjoy buying you something you actually will use. Maybe it's a bit tacky, but so are ugly sweaters.)

 No special holidays while pregnant? Get on your knees and ask people for baby things.

I'm just kidding. 

(Or AM I?)

Now onto Borrow:

Having babies is a very common thing. It's a beautiful, miraculous, wonderful thing, but lots of people have babies. And those babies usually grow up and grow out of things. One thing about baby stuff is you can keep it for subsequent children but in between it just sits in storage. OR! It could be used! 

Most of the things I have for my children have also seen numerous other children. I am so grateful for the people in my life willing to lend us their kids clothes. 

Borrowing expensive luxury items like swings, bouncers, cribs, cradles, strollers, and the famous Bumbo seats can really save a great deal of money. It's nice to have a pretty, cohesive nursery but the baby truly just needs a few essential things. Focusing on such essential things can keep your money in your pocket and not in Babies R Us's pocket. They have deeeeeeeeep pockets. 

Which brings me to Steel: 

Steel??

 (Not S-T-E-A-L. I would never suggest you steal from others😄)

Steel. 

Steel will. 

Steel impulses.

 The ridiculously strong ability to NOT buy the $16 layette at the baby stores. 

Babies R Us is a bright shiny store with bright shiny things for our bright shining baby stars. 

Keep your wits about you, ladies, this place will suck you in and steal (that's STEAL not steel!) your money. 

A tough, strong-as-steel will can push you to resort to yard sales, thrift stores, and other moms' storage units and save a lot of money in the process. 

I try to remember these things when we get pregnant to keep us from spending our savings on, cute, non essential baby items. 

I find it helpful to consider the baby an addition to the already formed family and not the center of the family's world. This helps me to remember the needs of the family as a whole and what would benefit us emotionally, financially, and physically. That limits the importance I place on baby items and gives more weight to the amount of money I actually DO spend. 

So, moms, moms to be, ladies, dads, etc... I encourage you all to look through the heavy consumerism that surrounds the world of babies and focus on the essentials of your family. The whole family. Save money where you can. Put to use the many, MANY used baby items already out there. 

Wishing everyone out there Baby Spending Peace and...HAIR PEACE!!