No matter how much money you earn or save up, being frugal once you become a parents is always a good idea. Saving up for rainy days, starting to save for a better education for your children, better vacations & a better lifestyle is always a dream of all parents. Thus, being budget-friendly and frugal applies to all parenting decisions – including cloth diapers.
Suppose you are already a parent who chose cloth diapers or reusable diapers over disposable diapers. Congratulations. In that case, you have taken the first and most significant step towards saving up big time and the environment. This article by SuperBottoms will help you with tips and tricks to save up and be budget-friendly over and above the money you save by just buying cloth diapers. But before we get into that, let us try to understand why it is important for new parents to be on a budget.
Importance Of Being on A Budget for New Parents
Once you become parents, the importance of being frugal, mindful about expenses and conscious about spending on things that are not of utility takes the front seat. Here are the major reasons why being on a budget is vital for new parents.
- Being mindful of the budget helps you manage the expenses effectively
- It reduces financial stress and anxiety related to money matters.
- It encourages & develops the habit of small spending & saving for big spending.
- It allows you to plan better for future expenses and contingency.
- Seeing parents being mindful of expenses also teaches the kids the value of money in the long run.
- It helps you gain a sense of empowerment and control over your personal and family finances.
Benefits of Cloth Diapering
Now, coming to the reasons how cloth diapers in a family that is serious about budgets, money & savings can help!
- Long-term cost reductions are one of the most significant financial advantages of using cloth diapers. Although the initial cost of reusable cloth diapers may appear higher than that of disposable diapers, they may be used repeatedly for the duration of a child’s diapering years and even for subsequent children. This removes the need to constantly buy disposable diapers, which can add up to a significant sum over time.
- Reduced Expenses – Buying disposable diapers on a weekly or monthly basis is a regular expenditure that is mitigated by using cloth diapers. Parents may save money by investing in a set of cloth diapers instead of disposable ones, mainly because newborns usually go through many pairs of diapers in a day.
- Resale Value: If a cloth diaper is kept in good condition, it usually retains its worth rather well. In the long term, cloth diapering is a more economical choice since parents can sell their nicely worn diapers once they are no longer needed and recover some of their initial expenditure.
- Environmental Impact: Using cloth diapers has an ecological impact that, while not immediately profitable, can save money over time. Parents may help create a healthier environment for future generations and perhaps save money on waste management by minimizing the quantity of waste produced by disposable diapers.
- Avoiding Price Hikes: Disposable diaper prices can fluctuate due to various factors such as raw material costs, transportation expenses, and market conditions. Cloth diapering provides a stable and predictable cost structure, helping parents avoid sudden price hikes in disposable diaper products.
In conclusion, cloth diapering offers both environmental and substantial financial advantages that can help parents save money over time and better manage household expenses.
Tips For Cloth Diapering on A Budget
Here are some tips to help you save money if your baby is wearing cotton diapers instead of disposable diapers.
- Look for second-hand cloth diapers that are in excellent condition. Many kids get potty trained sooner than expected and move to Padded Underwear from Reusable diapers. Their cloth diapers are cheaper and can save you a fortune.
- Keep an eye on sales, discounts & offers. Build a cloth diapers stash so you can get them at a cheaper rate and save money!
- Do not use harsh chemicals to wash the baby cloth diapers. Taking good care and following the washing instructions given by the brand can help you prolong the life of your baby’s precious cloth diapers.
Budget-Friendly Cloth Diapering Practices
Apart from the tips mentioned in the section above, here are some additional tips for the stash of cloth diapers you own to make the practice of using cloth diapers for newborns budget-friendly for you.
- Ensure you have a wash routine that is not too frequent to save electricity. Having a reasonable stash of cloth diapers and a wash routine in a way that you do not have to wash your cloth diapers daily but do not run out of them in case of emergency is essential. SuperBottoms suggests that all you need is 16 diapers, and even if you wash your cloth diapers once every 3 days, you will not run out of fresh and clean reusable diapers to use.
- There are communities of parents, such as Parents Tribe, etc., that encourage swap, exchange, and purchase of pre-used diapers by parents who use cloth diapers for their parents exclusively. This will help you have a variety while not spending a fortune buying new cloth diapers.
Key Takeaways
- Being Frugal as Parents: Regardless of income level, practising frugality is essential for all parents. It helps save for future needs like education, vacations, and a better lifestyle. Budget-friendly decisions, including choosing cloth diapers, contribute to this financial prudence.
- Financial Benefits of Cloth Diapering: Opting for cloth diapers over disposable ones can lead to substantial cost savings in the long run. Parents can significantly reduce expenses, avoid price fluctuations, and even recoup some costs through resale value by investing in reusable cloth diapers.
- Budget-Friendly Cloth Diapering Practices: To make cloth diapering more budget-friendly, consider buying second-hand cloth diapers in good condition, taking advantage of sales and discounts, and following proper care instructions to prolong their lifespan. Additionally, establishing a wash routine to conserve resources and participating in parent communities for diaper swaps can enhance cost-effectiveness.
FAQs
Q1 – Can I reuse the cloth diapers for my second child?
Ans – Yes, you can. Good quality cloth diapers or reusable diapers last for up to 300 washes. Without a second thought, you can use the cloth diapers of your first child for your second child.
Q2 – How much money will I save using cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers?
Ans – In three years of your baby’s cloth diapering journey, if you go for disposable diapers, you will end up saving a minimum of 45000 Rs. While on the other hand, considering one UNO cloth diaper will cost you around Rs. 800, and you need 16 of them in total, you will spend only 10,800 Rs. at max for cloth diapers.
Q3 – How do I extend the life of my baby’s cloth diapers?
Ans – If you want to make your baby’s cloth diapers last longer, remember to wash them right with a gentle detergent, hang them out in the sun to dry, switch them up to avoid wearing them out too quickly, keep them in a clean and dry spot when not using them, check for any damage regularly, and try not to use high heat when washing or drying them. These simple tricks will help keep your cloth diapers in top shape for longer so you can use them comfortably for a long time!
