when to start making purchases

[leanno01]

We are expecting our first baby in March (I am currently 11 weeks).  We are on a tight budget and want to know when would it be okay to start buying things for the baby/nursery. We sort of want to start now instead of waiting until later and being slammed with everything at once but people are saying its too early. I know we will have a baby shower but big ticket items (crib, stoller, car seat etc) isn't in the budget for most of out family members. Thoughts?

[chloegc1023]

I would suggest to wait on the big stuff.  Set the money aside for it but don't get it yet.  U never know someone might be able to lend u their crib or u may find a really good deal at a later time.  The whole layaway thing is a great option.  I'm 16 wks and don't plan on having a baby shower since I'm still kinda new in town and haven't formed a whole ton of close friendships.  I plan on buying the crib second hand and other essentials brand new (car seat & stroller). I'll also pick up a couple smaller items, but since I had my first and I had a baby shower at 9 mos I learned that babies don't need a whole ton of stuff since its all just luxury.  I'll probably wait until I'm 7-8 mos to get everything with this one.

[thorarb]

I have been on a tight budget my entire pregnancy. I suggest you start buying small things here and there NOW. Babies are extremely expensive and even though Ive been getting things with every paycheck, I still just had to do some major shopping this past weekend. Ended up spending about $350! And I still need a darn carseat!

I didn't buy a crib, I went with a playpen that has the bassinet and changing table options. This is baby #2 for me and honestly I found the crib to be a huge waste of money. My first NEVER slept in it or used it at all. He ended up sleeping in his playpen (when a little older, I was very paranoid when he was tiny lol) and then into a regular bed. Im also forgoing a stroller. My first only sat in a stroller ONCE his entire life (he is almost 5 now) and that was only because we went on a trip to Disney with family. I never had a use for a stroller. Im not wasting my money on some expensive stroller this time around either. I don't see myself needing one of those huge, expensive ones for infants. If I do, Id probably just buy one of those cheap ones like I did last time for barely $20 when my son was 6 months old. lol

[3rdNdone]

I'm due in March as well. We plan on getting our big items January/February. I know some stores still offer layaway so if you wanted to start getting stuff now you could do that and have all your big items by December.