Diaper Tips Tuesday: Getting What You Want on a Budget

We have talked about knowing what brands and styles you want(ed) to purchase, how many diapers are in your real/fantasy stashes, and on setting a budget. How do you get what you want if you’re budget doesn’t support the number, style or brands of diapers you would love to have? There are many ways of accomplishing this, but I thought I would outline the main ones and some popular links and resources to get you started.

• Sew Your Own
  If you are not crafty, this one may seem daunting, but maybe your mother, friend or aunt sews and would be willing to help out. If you have some basic sewing skills, you can save some dough and may have fun doing it as well! I would recommend sewing with a good pattern at first, even if you plan to customize it so that you can get the basic techniques down and experience the most success while wasting the least fabric.

  Check out my Sewing section for links of free tutorials, patterns and other links. Chari (from Take the Time to Smell the Roses blog) recently wrote a guest article over at Happily Domestic about sewing your own stash as well.

  You will need to make sure that you buy high quality, reliable fabrics and materials if you want to make top quality diapers. You’ll still save a ton of money by doing the labor yourself, but practice on scrap fabrics before you ruin your precious wool or PUL. One great idea for functional practice materials are T-shirts, as most people have stacks they could easily use sitting around. The material is also easier to work with than some of the specialty fabrics while you get the basics down and you can use the fitted diapers after they are completed as well.

• Buy Used/Seconds
  Many cloth diaper shops and websites offer this, but they are usually snatched up fast, so you have to be on the look out. You may also try Diaper Swappers, the diaper group in Swap Mamas, and local classified-type listing sites. You cannot buy or sell used diapers on eBay, but you may find some new or open-package items for a good deal. I am de-stashing now and about to try some of these methods, since I have only sold/bought/swapped with friends up until now.

  Seconds are also a great option as they are discounted items with minor flaws, usually cosmetic. You will find them on many websites and be sure to check out the  Swaddlebees outlet, Thirsties outlet and even WAHM brands like Wee Huggers has a seconds hyena cart.

• Sale, Coupons & Clearance
  Subscribe to newsletters and yahoo groups for all of your favorite cloth diaper shops so you will be the first to know about sales, new items on clearance and other specials. With a little patience and perseverance you’ll be able to find what you want (or close to it) for a little cheaper and don’t forget to factor in free shipping. Most sites offer free shipping with minimum purchases and others have free shipping everyday.

  And this is the PERFECT week for this topic (and I didn’t even plan it that way!). Cloth diaper shops have started and are hosting tons of Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials so this is the time to buy your stash, round it out, or stock up on shower gifts if you’re a cloth diaper gifter I have a list of specials written in this article here, but check all of your favorite stores as most will be offering discounts and specials.

• Blog Giveaways 
  Of course I have to add this one to the list, since I have given away quite a stack of diapers from different brands and stores over the last 6 months. I know it can seem impossible to be up against hundred of comments, but I will tell you if you enter diligently, your day will come. Other sites such as Rainshine Designs diapers have monthly giveaway auctions you can enter as well. The more you enter and the more eligible comments you make, the higher your odds are that you will win.

• Baby Registries
  I don’t know how many outfits and blankets I got as shower gifts that I returned for store credit to buy other things I needed for my daughter before she was born. There are only so many multipacks of 0-3 months onesies your can use.

  Think about it, even if you only have a dozen guests or gift-givers total and they only buy you one diaper each (as they aren’t cheap), you’ve got a day’s worth of diapers right there. Most cloth diaper retailers have baby registry programs and you can even choose sites that sell other baby gear on your wishlist, so you can have the best of both worlds. Cut your investment in half or eliminate it all together depending how generous and supportive your friends and family are with your cloth diapering ways.