1. Look online at auction sites to see what kind of gently used baby clothing is up for auction. You can save quite a bit of money on nearly new (sometimes never worn) name brand clothes.
2. Swap with friends. Do you have friends who have children just a bit older than your own? You might be able to arrange a clothes swap where each mom offers up clothes her baby has outgrown.
3. Ask your friends about local resources to help you find more baby clothes at a discount. Other moms are a great source for advice on topics like this. If you aren't already a member, join a local Moms Group. And ask your mommy friends at the next meeting for ideas on finding baby clothes at a discount. You might be surprised to learn about local deals and steals.
4. Consignment stores are another great place to look for gently used baby clothes without having to pay top dollar. You may find that you gravitate toward clothes brought in by a particular seller. Ask the owner if she will notify you when this person brings in new items. If you don't find anything you're interested in, this may still be a good place to bring clothes that your baby has outgrown.
5. Shop garage and yard sales. These are often the places you can get the best deals, sometimes paying less than one dollar per item. Make sure to thoroughly check each item before you purchase it, since you won't be able to return anything.
6. Join a freecycling network. This is a great way to find gently used baby gear, baby furniture, and even clothing. Freecycling gives you the ability to donate items you don't need and take things you do need. Find a Freecycle Network in your area by doing an Internet search. After you find a freecycling group, you can generally post your own needs and score some great new items for the baby's nursery, completely free of charge.
7. Sew them yourself. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you could purchase some patterns and fabric and make your own clothes. However, if you're like most new moms, you don't have time to take a shower, let alone sew new clothes for your quickly growing baby. Enlist the help (either with the sewing or watching your child) from the help of friends or relatives. You may even find that a sewing circle is a good social outlet and one that you can participate in during the day while the baby plays nearby or naps.
8. Buy online with a coupon code. Join the mailing lists of your favorite stores and stock up on essentials when they are having their online clearance sales. Always search for a coupon code before you complete a purchase, as you can often find significant savings and, sometimes, free shipping on new baby clothes online.
Nearly every home in the United States is also home to a variety of technological devices. From televisions to computers, to gaming systems and surround sound, not to mention our digital cameras, DVD recorders and mp3 players - technology adds a lot to our lives. And you can save money on these big ticket items just by knowing where and when to shop.
Here are seven strategies for saving money on computers and electronics.
1. Whether you are buying online or offline, the first step is to research the new item and determine exactly which features you want and need. Go to the Internet first and read product reviews and recommendations.
Do an Internet search and check out each piece of equipment to see what others have said about it. Is it highly recommended or riddled with problems? Read about the particular item on various electronics forums. People on the forums will be more honest than someone who is paid to write a review.
2. Find out what might be available locally by going to various retail stores and their websites. Many of the electronics big box stores (including Best Buy and Circuit City) have a program in which you choose and purchase your item online, and then it's ready for you to pick it up in the store; sometimes in less than an hour. If you are buying online and having it shipped to your home or office, you'll want to pay special attention to your shipping costs especially on those larger items, such as TVs and computers.
3. Before you buy, go to your favorite electronics retailer and ask to see "open box items," which are items that have been opened and returned. Generally, the full warranty still applies on these items, but you may be able to find what you want at a reduced rate because the box has been opened. If the price hasn't been reduced, ask the manager if she can come down on the price.
4. If you can't find the item you want as an "open box item," Go back to your original search and do some comparisons. Find out which store has the lowest normal prices and then check out their sales.
5. Even though you would love to get the latest and greatest, consider purchasing the item that was replaced by the latest and greatest. There shouldn't be that many changes that you can't do without, and that little sacrifice can save you a lot of money.
6. Another way to save money is to wait until right before school starts and take advantage of the "tax-free" holidays. Not having to pay sales tax on the item can save you a pretty penny. Of course, there are also sales prior to major holidays. Don't forget to take advantage of the rebates that often come with new electronics, as well, as they sometimes provide quite a savings.
7. If you find the item online, make sure to check for coupon codes and free shipping offers that can save you even more. The Internet makes it so easy to find the very best deals.
Jamie Jefferson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Family Travel and Online Dating. Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares the web's best and