Expecting Twins

[wendylv5]

Hello Everyone,

I am expecting twins (boy and girl) hopefully the end of March. This is my 2nd pregnancy (my son will be five in March) and my family is not going to throw me a shower. So we are on our own for cost. Luckily we have 2 car seats. I have boy clothes 12 month to present, I have some of my niece's clothes.
I signed up for Enfamil, my plan is to breastfeed and formula. I am going to sign up with pampers and huggies.
Is there any other ways I can save? I could really use the help.

Thanks

[Jen1]

Hi! What part of NJ are you in?

[foggierbard9]

Have you looked into cloth diapers? The initial cost is a bit more than buying your one pack of disposables here and there, but the total investment is really low especially for twins.

Check out thrift stores, consignment sales, and stores like once upon a child for clothes for the kids and you will probably be able to find other things you will need at consignment sales and once upon a child.

[OneHotMomma]

Congratulations! Have you recovered from hearing you have more than one baby in there yet? LOL took me a while!

Call Pampers/Huggies and probably Enfamil to let them know you are having multiples. Even if you sign up for their mailing lists, call and let them know there's a special program and they'll let you know what you need to mail in to prove you have more than one baby, and where to mail it to.

If you have any other questions about twins, feel free to PM me. I have 15 month old twin boys and a 4 year old son.

[wendylv5]

Thanks everyone, I am in northern NJ, Bergen County area.

One hot momma- I knew I was having twins from the start I dont think the shock will come until they are born, lol. The thing that scares me the most is how big will my belly get? Oh my goodness I saw pictures online and it is a concern for me. How will I walk, how will I get out of bed? Another concern is that I hold on to these babies as long as I can. I don't want to deliver too early.

[OneHotMomma]

Sending you a PM

[MelInKansas]

Congrats on the double blessing!

I have wanted to think about cloth diapering and each time I think about it, I decide it's not worth it for me. I hate doing laundry, that's one reason. When I did my cost comparison I included things like laundry soap (which is now a lot cheaper for me because I make my own) and extra electricity from running my washer/dryer so much. If you can get rock bottom disposible diaper deals, then you do not really save with cloth. If I cared about the environment more that might push me over the edge to doing it, but sadly, I don't.

I have a friend who successfully breastfed twins without any supplementing (or maybe just a bare minimum). It's possible, with the right support and knowledge, though I am sure it's not easy. Heck, parenting is not easy. I'm quite sure parenting twins is not easy.

Yeah I will get or buy almost everything (except carseats) secondhand, I go to garage sales, consignment shops and sales, and I now have a network of friends with kids so they pass things along to me when they don't need them anymore. I buy clearance clothing in January and July and save it for the following year. Furniture and stuff I try to find secondhand if I can. I did most of these things before I even started couponing, couponing has added a whole new level to what I can save, especially on diapers. The really awesome diaper deals seem to be few and far between though, you really have to keep an eye out.

I've got quite a few stacked up for this baby coming in March, but I don't want to overbuy.

[mom2lucas]

I second (or third?) checking out consignment shops/sales and shopping clearance for clothes. My area has a string of consignment sales (some with half price days) each year in April and October. We purchase clothing, shoes, and sometimes toys, though I know several moms who have purchased cribs, high chairs etc at these sales. Craigslist is another good place to check for baby items. Just be sure to meet in a public place, etc. I always send my husband to meet people from CL. ;)

[janastanley]

I have found some great deals at consignment shops and yard sales. When my foster baby came to us, we only had a few hours to prepare. Luckily I was able to borrow a bed, stroller, and car seat for a few weeks until I could purchase everything for her. I hit up yard sales and bought a ton of clothes that still had tags on them! I also traded clothing and toys with friends and friends of friends for newer items. Trading with other moms saved TONS of money. I made it clear I would only trade for items that were in excellent condition. Worked out well.

I also try to plan ahead when it comes to sizes. That way I can pick up shoes, coats, clothes when they go on clearance. Last year Old Navy had tons of baby/toddler items for $1 each. I took advantage of the sale and stocked up. I am glad I did, the t-shirts and shorts will fit my little one this spring.

[MelInKansas]

Originally Posted by janastanley Last year Old Navy had tons of baby/toddler items for $1 each. I took advantage of the sale and stocked up. I am glad I did, the t-shirts and shorts will fit my little one this spring.

Old Navy and the Children's Place are my favorite places for kids' clothes on clearance. It gets harder once they are out of toddler sizes, but Old Navy always has a week or weekend in January and July where they have an extra 50% off their clearance prices. That's when you can get shirts and shorts for around $1 or $2, pants for $4, shoes super cheap and all that. Children's Place if you get on their email list they will send you all their extra % off codes. They almost always have one out, usually 15% off. By the time something is clearance at $4 and you get 15% more off it's $3.40.

I find the department stores will do good clearance too but it seems like their stuff gets picked over and sold out quickly. Also, I suppose that's because in my small town we only have small JC Penney, Sears, etc. Sometimes you can find good clothing clearance deals at Wal Mart too.