How to survive the recession with baby and toddler expenses

Save on Children's clothing 

Is the recession putting a huge hole in your wallet? Having babies and toddlers seem to take even bigger chunks out of your wallet. Are diapers, baby food, clothing and toddler activities breaking you? Here are some tips on how to save on these items.

1. Children's Clothing

There are several stores across Salt Lake county that sell second-hand or gently used clothing for a fraction of the price. I know it's tempting to buy all those cute spring clothes for full price, but purchasing clothes at these stores can really save you a lot of money. And when your toddler comes inside covered from head to toe in mud, you will be glad you didn't spend all that extra money on that outfit! You can even go one step further to save on clothes by selling your gently used clothing to stores that buy them that maybe your children are not wearing anymore. Then you can clean out your closet and buy what you need without spending much money at all! Doing it that way makes it more of an exchange and you may not spend much out of pocket money at all. Some of these clothings stores that buy and sell gently used clothing are: Kid To Kid, www.kidtokid.com with locations all across the valley, Sweet Pea Boutique in Tooele, UT, and  Kinder Winkel in Sandy UT.  Ksl.com www.ksl.com  and eBay, www.ebay.com are also great places to find deals on children's clothing.

Save on Diapers 

2. Diapers and baby products

There are some websites that offer great deals and discounts on baby products and diapers. One is http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/ and there is also  http://www.diapers.com/. Both websites offer dicounts and coupons and can save you big!

Save on baby food, plant a garden!

3. Baby food and groceries

Are you spending way too much money on baby food and groceries for you babies and toddlers? Planting a garden is a great way to save money. You can plant several kinds of vegetables and fruits and even use them to make your own baby food! If you are going through several jars a day of baby food, this could be a great way to save. There are also ways to save on groceries by using manufacture coupons and grocery ads from your local grocery stores. For more tips on how to save on groceries, you can visit the Grocery Guru's website at http://www.utahcityguide.com/new/guru/index.asp.

Save on activities for your children.

4. Toddler activities

With times being tough, it has become almost impossible to pay for you child to do activities. Take advantage of free and inexpensive events for your toddler. Of course spending time outside or enjoying nature won't cost you a dime and is very entertaining for a toddler. If you are looking for indoor activities,most city libraries offer storytime and other events for toddlers and children that are free. You can visit this website to see their calendar of upcoming events. http://www.slco.lib.ut.us/progs.htm. If you live close to West Valley, their Fitness Center has an indoor play area for kids that is free for children under 3: http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.asp?nid=222. In Ogden, the Treehouse Museum offers Toddler Time and a couple other activities for a discounted price from the regular admission. For more information visit: http://www.treehousemuseum.org/home.html. You can also check your local paper for community events that are free or relatively inexpensive for toddlers, there is always something going on!

Free Ice Cream

5. Free Ice Cream, Discounted Fast Food

And finally, take advantage of fast food restaurants that offer free ice cream cones for children. You don't need to feel bad for only ordering a free item, if they didn't want to give it away for free then they wouldn't offer it! There are also several fast food places across Salt Lake county where kids eat free on a certain night of the week. So if you want to get out and let your kids play and not break your wallet doing it, choose a night to go where you don't have to pay for the kids meal. This will certainly save you money as well!

Those of us with babies and toddlers know just how expensive they can get! But the good news is that you can save money! It may require a little extra effort, but it will be well worth it when you realize the amount of money you can save using these tips.