Tip #3: Skip coordinated bedding sets

Because we thought this was such an important money saving tip from our “Baby’s Biggies” chapter, we wanted to recap it here. You can easily spend $300 or more on coordinating bedding sets just so everything “matches”. Keep in mind, this $300 DOESN’T include your crib mattress (usually another $100–$200), mobile (another $30–$75) or multiple sheets (another $15–$20). Most sets, at minimum, include a crib sheet and bumper pads (which you do need) and a comforter/quilt (which you don’t need).

Instead of buying these beautifully “coordinated” sets, try buying the bedding items you need in solid colors that compliments the pattern or scheme you’ve chosen. First off, this is a far less expensive way to go and secondly, the money you would have spent on the comforter in the bedding set (that you won’t use) can be reinvested into the additional crib sheets (that you will use). Secondly, you’ll probably find the colors and vibrancy of the pattern you fell in love with to begin with will fade after a few washing after your baby has thrown up on them repeatedly.

We’ve found the best way to carry your design through your baby’s nursery is to use the border of your design and offset it with solid colored accessories (or a complimentary pattern as curtains). Think about it. All those heavily coordinated baby rooms look great on the showroom floor (that is wide open and brightly lit). But once you get all that “stuff” home into your nursery, all those pieces can really be quite overwhelming and “busy”. You want a room that is peaceful and calming to your baby, so he will sleep instead of being stimulated by all the patterns and colors of a many items in a coordinating bedding set.

$ Total savings: You can save $250 or more avoiding coordinated bedding sets.

! Sanity check:  You won’t have a ton of money sunk into something your baby is probably going to stain and ruin anyway!

Tip #4: Save money on sheets – Buy white

Overall, white sheets are the best bang for your buck because you can bleach them to death (literally!). Okay, we agree, white is boring, but if you want to save money, you must think practically. Your baby is bound to throw-up on, pee on and poop on her bed sheets more than once (honestly, more than a few times). Colored and patterned bed sheets (especially those beautiful ones that come in coordinated sets) may not laundry up as well as good ‘ole white ones. And what do you do with a bed sheet that has a stain that won’t come out? You got it—in the trash—and in the trash means money you’ve thrown away (again, literally!).

If you must have colored sheets or the special patterned sheets to match your coordinated bedding ensemble, all is not lost—there is still hope. Try washing stained sheets in hot water with OxiClean^®. This has got to be one of the best stain removers in a long time. I’m continuously amazed at the stains it will remove. (One mom told me it got copier toner out of a white silk blouse she thought was ruined!) You can get OxiClean^® in most retail stores now or on their website at www.greatcleaners.com.

$ Total savings: You can’t beat white sheets. You may end up saving $7–$8 per sheet that you have to discard because you can’t get it clean.

Just these few savings strategies above can save you $200 or more!

To learn more saving strategies for all your baby's bed time needs
(including saving up to $100 on pajamas and
the Top 17 ways to soothe your baby back to sleep),
order your copy of "I Wish I Had Known That!" today!

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