How to Get All the Baby Gear You Need on a $500 Budget

Parents facing the daunting task of buying all of their own baby essentials and baby gear may feel overwhelmed at the amount of money they can spend on "necessities." However, the real necessities can actually be bought for much less. Bargain shoppers can find great deals on car seats, cribs, and gear and get everything they need for a new baby for much less than the thousands of dollars high-priced baby department stores and boutiques would like you to spend.

The first key to getting your baby necessities cheap is to put your list of essential items together. Put down that list of "baby essentials" you got from the doctor's office literature or from the big-name baby store you visited when you first learned you were pregnant. This list has to do with the down and dirty basics.

Your new baby will need a place to sleep, and many parents will choose to buy a crib to serve as safe sleeping quarters. Baby cribs come in all price ranges, from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. They also come in different shapes, like the traditional rectangular crib or the fashionable round crib. Sometimes cribs can even be converted into toddler beds or full size beds when your baby outgrows her crib.

When you purchase a crib, keep a few things in mind. Your baby will only use a crib for about two or three years, maybe less, so it may not be economical for you to pay thousands of dollars for premium furniture. Furthermore, a higher priced crib does not necessarily mean a safer crib, which is really what is important. By typing in keywords like "clearance baby crib," you will be able to find cheap cribs for under $200 at stores like Target. For instance, for under $140 you can buy a Simplicity Aspen 4-in-1 crib that converts to a day bed, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed as your baby grows, a great bargain. A crib mattress at Target can be purchased for as little as $60.