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Having a baby can be expensive. Between the sudden expenses, new things you need, and the necessity of furnishing a nursery, it’s a time when money seems to disappear quickly. However, there are ways to save money on accessories that you need to care for your little one.
A stroller is an essential piece of equipment for any parent, especially if you plan on going out with your child often or traveling to different places with them in tow.
Unfortunately, strollers aren’t cheap—even secondhand ones are expensive and new ones can cost well over $200 like this one. However, if you have your eye on a particular model but don’t want to spend that kind of money just yet or if you simply want to save some cash as soon as possible after welcoming your bundle of joy into the world, here are six ways to save money on strollers if you’re expecting a baby:
Shop During The Off-Season
Depending on where you live, you may be able to save a lot of money by shopping for a stroller in the off-season. Since cold weather and snow aren’t conducive to outdoor excursions, many people don’t purchase strollers until the weather starts to warm up again.
That means you can find great deals on strollers from last year’s models or strollers that were meant to be summer models but have since been repurposed as winter ones.
The same goes for winter clothing, too. While you may be anxious to clothe your little one once they’re born, you can save a lot of money by waiting until the weather starts to warm up again before you buy any cold-weather gear.
Find A Secondhand Or Used Stroller
If you don’t mind buying a secondhand or used stroller, you can save a ton of money by doing so. You can find strollers of all kinds at your local resale shop, online sites like Craigslist or Kijiji, or at local garage sales. Just be sure to inspect the stroller carefully before you buy it to make sure it’s in good enough condition to use.
However, if you can, find someone who has a stroller that they no longer need. Maybe a friend or family member has a stroller that they don’t use anymore, or you could ask other parents in your area if they have a spare stroller they could let you borrow while you’re saving up for your own.
Visit Your Local Resale Shops
Not only are resale shops a great place to find gently used strollers, but you can also find clothes, toys, stroller accessories, furniture, and more. You can visit your local resale shop any time of year, but you may want to check it out in the spring and fall as well.
Why? Lots of parents buy baby items when their kids go back to school, so there will be lots of gently used, previously loved items for sale at that time.
Rent A Stroller Instead
If you know you only need a stroller for a short period of time, like while you’re on vacation or while visiting family, renting one might be a great option for you.
You can easily find places in your local area that rent out strollers, or you can browse through online rental sites like Babies “R” Us to find strollers you can rent. While renting a stroller will cost you money up front, it might actually be cheaper than buying one outright, especially if you only need it for a short period of time.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about cleaning or maintaining a stroller that you only use for a short time, which can be a hassle if you own a stroller and use it regularly.
Ask For Or Donate Baby Items
If you want to save money on strollers, you should definitely ask for or donate baby items, especially if you’re having a baby shower. Ask your friends and family to donate things like car seats, strollers, carriers, high chairs, playpens, swing-like devices, and more.
You can also ask your child’s day care if they have any child care items you can borrow for free. You may want to talk to your child’s doctor about getting free medical equipment, too. They may be able to donate prescription bottles, formula samples, breast pumps, or other items you’d otherwise have to buy or borrow from a friend.
Conclusion
Having a baby is expensive, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to strollers. However, there are a few ways to save money on strollers if you’re expecting a baby. You can shop during the off-season, visit your local resale shop any time of year, or rent a stroller instead of buying one outright. You can also ask for or donate baby items, like strollers, from family and friends at a baby shower and from your child’s doctor, too.
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