Research shows that it takes around $200,000 to bring up an 18 year
old from birth. When resources are limited and the necessities such as
education, health, etc, cost a lot, you have to cut down on avoidable
expenses. Smartly clothing your baby can help you cut costs
significantly. Try following some of the tips below. [Also See: What It Really Costs to Raise a Child]
Size Smartly
Shorter clothes might look cute and even chic on little toddlers but
they don’t last long. Try buying sizes that you think will last longer.
Also prefer clothes with elastics at the waist instead of belts. Add
buttons or hooks in a horizontal row to belts if possible. As your baby
puts on weight, the consecutive buttons or hooks can be hooked.
Color with Care
Needless to mention, select colors for tops and bottoms in a way that
maximizes the number of combinations you could create. This is
especially relevant for those who go frequently for outings with friends
and family. Go for basic colors such as red, blue, yellow and green
more often than other uncommon colors which might not fare well with
other uncommon colors.
Be Cautious about Quality
There are times when you forget all the lessons learned from
purchasing cheap clothing earlier. And then you re-learn those lessons
when a disaster happens after you put those cheap clothes in the washing
machine. Also, always look carefully for instructions at the back that
explain how that clothing may be washed and ironed.
Material Matters
Choose materials that are more stretchable. They would be able to
take care of your baby’s growth spurts. Also, choose materials that can
be worn more even when seasons change. For example, instead of buying
very warm sleeping suits buy a relatively less warm collection of suits.
As the coldest of days approach, slip in warmer vests. This way the
suits will be able to be in use for a longer while.
Style Slyly
Certain styles such as frocks, dresses and skirts for girls and
overalls for boys last longer. Prefer such smart styles that your baby
can wear for a longer period. Buy socks without heels so that they can
be used for a longer time. And remember you can alter clothes creatively
too. When sleeping suits start becoming a bit tight, cut off the
portion covering the feet. That should make it last a couple of months
more because your baby grows more vertically than horizontally.
source: financialhighway.com
