New & expecting parents: cost & time-saving tips

June 30, 2022 • Chris Bardsley

If you’re a new parent, you might be feeling the pinch when it comes to money. Families all over the country are being affected by the current state of the economy, especially those welcoming a new little one into their lives this summer – as we all know, they’re not cheap!

It’s been particularly tough of late in the UK, with rising energy costs and the overall cost of living having a significant impact on the well-being of new parents. If you’re a new parent that could use a helping hand, it’s important to reach out for help and support where you need it – because there’s plenty available.

We pride ourselves on being there for many people in different financial situations, with options available to help those who need household essentials the most.

That’s why we’ve pulled together some of the cost and time-saving tips we’ve found helpful whilst speaking to our customers – helping families spend more time with their children, and less time worrying about money.

Quickly sanitise your bottles

Dishwashers are fast and efficient, and they can free up your time so you can focus on your new baby. They’re also great for sanitising bottles and other baby gear. So if you’re looking for a way to make your life a little easier, or like many of us, you don’t fancy the sound of washing each bottle one by one, a dishwasher could be a worthwhile investment.

Keep on top of your baby’s clothes

Washing machines are a godsend for new parents. We’re sure you can imagine all of the different stains that can appear on your little cherub’s clothes – so investing in a washing machine makes it simple to keep your baby’s clothes clean and fresh.

Plus, washing machines can come in handy when you have other things to wash – like your baby’s blankets or stuffed animals. Just pop them in on a delicate cycle and voila!

Cater for growth spurts

As if it wasn’t hard enough to keep track of your baby’s clothing size, there typically comes a point when they’ll outgrow other – more significant – items. Beds and cots are easy to spend lots of money on, but as any seasoned parent would tell you, buying a bed that’s adaptable (or has the ability to grow with your child) is a huge headache-saver in the long run.

Expect the unexpected

While the essentials are often taken care of, with family far and wide showing up with dozens of nappies, there are other medical supplies that come in handy for new and expecting parents.

Many retailers offer a newborn care kit, which includes items like sterile gauze, cotton balls and wipes, plus things like a thermometer and some form of infant pain relief medication.

While we hope you won’t need these, they’re great to have around the house just in case you need them to hand.

If you need help with the essentials and are a member of our Good Payers Club, we’ve just teamed up with Chemist Direct, the latest retailer you can shop at using our Shopping Card. Learn more on our website.

Cost-conscious clothing

Baby clothes are one area where it’s easy to spend a lot of money, but there are a few ways that new parents can save.

Particularly in the early days of parenthood, you can expect visitors from every facet of your life to arrive on the doorstep (usually with gifts!). If you can give them a gentle heads-up that clothes might be an appreciated purchase, it will likely be a big help to both parties!

Alternatively, there are great options out there for those looking for a more sustainable approach to buying baby clothes. In fact, brands like The Little Loop can help you keep the cost of clothing down for babies, toddler and beyond! The concept is pretty simple (and great!), a monthly subscription gets you a certain number of credits that can be used on clothing. When they’ve been outgrown, simply send them back and your credits are returned to your account – ready for your next set of clothes! Check out how the service works here.

We also know that many of our customers love shopping on Amazon for baby clothes. There are great offers throughout and prime delivery can be a lifesaver in an “oh no, I’ve lost the last bib!” situation.

And finally, we should never overlook the power of our community. Local groups on sites like Facebook are often full of posts from other parents offering their pre-loved clothing. It’s also worth looking into what’s available from other areas of the community; churches, playgroups, nurseries and schools. They’ll often have clothing available that has been donated, and sometimes you might even be doing them a favour by taking it off their hands (they’re always on the lookout for more storage room!).

We hope you found these tips useful, and remember – when it comes to new-parent essentials such as appliances and furniture, our super-flexible loans can really help you if you’re in a pickle.

Just like we did with Roxana:

Fair for You is a breath of fresh air. This is my fourth loan with them in 3 years. They helped me purchase furniture when I had my first baby; appliances when I moved out into a new flat and I am now upgrading my furniture. All items I purchased through Fair for You are very good quality as well. Hassle-free, very straight forward and the staff are so helpful and understanding. I never had any issues with any of my loan applications. I highly recommend Fair for You

And Victoria too:

I was gutted my washing machine broke down 2 days before xmas. With no spare money and 2 kids, 1 being a baby, I was desperate for a washing machine. The whole process was really easy, was kept up to date the whole time, my washing machine was delivered 27th and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you.

Click here to learn more about Fair for You, or head through to our products to see how we can help you. We can’t wait to hear from you.

This entry was posted in Budgeting Tips, How To's and Blog