21 money-saving tips for parents

The cost of raising a child

It cost couples £157,562 and lone parents £208,735 to raise a child to the age of 18, according to the latest figures from the Child Poverty Action Group.

Raising a family is expensive, but our tips can help you make savings.

Whether you’ve just found out you or your partner are pregnant, or you already have a newborn, a teen or a child somewhere in between, we have tips to help you find discounts, budget, cut costs and plan for the future.

1. Work out a family budget

Getting to grips with your finances is the first step to ensuring you can afford the things your family wants and needs.

Look at your bank statements over recent months to work out how much money is coming in and going out. Identify your essential spending – such as mortgage payments, rent, food, utilities and nappies – and look for areas where you could cut back.

Our guide on how to budget will help you manage your family finances. Alternatively, if you’re expecting and your income is about to change, use our guide on how to budget for having a baby

2. Boost your savings

Once you’ve set up your budget, you can look for ways to cut spending and perhaps save a little each month to build up a nest egg for you or your child. 

It’s worth shopping around for a savings account that will make the most of your family funds. See our guide to finding the best savings account for more.

You also have a number of choices of children’s savings accounts, from Junior Isas and children's savings accounts to investments or premium bonds. 

• Find out more: how to save for your children's future

3. Apply for benefits and support

There's a range of benefits and financial support available that can help with the cost of having a new baby or looking after a child.

• Find out more: help if you are struggling financially with your baby

4. Stick to the essentials for new babies

It's easy to get carried away with online shopping when you or your partner are awake with pregnancy insomnia at 3am, but try to resist the temptation – your house will end up cluttered before the baby has even arrived.

Instead, make a shortlist of essential baby products and think about when you will actually use them. Here are the key things to think about buying before your baby arrives:

• Baby car seat You won’t be able to drive your newborn home from the hospital or birth centre without one, so this is an essential pre-birth purchase. Find out the best for you and your baby with Which? advice on choosing the right car seat.
• Pushchair or pram To be suitable from birth, a pushchair must be able to recline completely flat, or come with a carrycot – see what else you should consider when buying a pushchair. A sling or baby carrier can also be a relatively cheap alternative or complement to a pushchair for getting out and about with your baby.
• Cot bed, Moses basket or baby crib To help you decide what’s best for you, we have separate tips on each of these sleeping options – read about choosing the best cot bed, Moses basket and baby crib to find one that suits your home and budget. If you’re often on the move, a travel cot might also be worth the investment.
• Nappies You’ll need to change your newborn’s nappy up to 12 times a day. Buying in bulk can often work out cheaper, and you’ll want to make sure you’ve stocked up for the first few weeks. But don’t go overboard, as the type of nappy your baby needs can change quite quickly.
• Feeding If breastfeeding, a breast pump can help you to express and store milk. Meanwhile, baby bottles and sterilising equipment are needed for expressed milk and formula feeding.

5.  Do your research to avoid overspending 

Simply put, spending more money on products for babies and children doesn’t guarantee better quality. That said, it can be hard to know exactly how much you should expect to pay for certain items, and even trickier to identify products you should steer clear of.

For those big buying decisions, Which? Baby and child reviews can help you find the products best suited to your needs and budget.

Doing the research before you start shopping can also mean you’re more sensible about how much you spend in one go. Spreading out expensive purchases throughout pregnancy (rather than panic-buying the lot in week 39) may help you manage your cash flow better and avoid having to rely on credit.

6. Save on formula and nappies

The price of formula milk has gone up by an average of 12% since February 2022. So it's important to hunt around for the cheapest place to buy formula milk.

You can usually buy own-brand items for cheaper prices, and there’s often little difference between products. For example, see our advice on the best disposable nappies.

Or, why not ditch the disposables altogether and try reusable nappies? You can also find reusable baby wipes to really get your money’s worth.

7. Collect free baby stuff

In Scotland, parents are given a free baby box full of essentials, which you can apply for by speaking to your midwife. 

You should also keep an eye on websites like Latest Free Stuff, which rounds up freebies on offer from retailers in exchange for signing up to newsletters or liking them on social.

8. Join clubs for discounts

The Boots Parenting Club hands out extra Advantage points when you buy baby items, and offers free gifts at key stages of your baby's development.

Meanwhile, members of the Asda Baby & Toddler Club are alerted first about discount events in the supermarket.

9. Look for discount codes and cashback

Before buying something in a shop or online, do a quick search for in-store offers or voucher codes.

You can find codes simply by checking sites like Vouchercodes and HotUK deals.

You may also be able to use cashback sites – these will pay you a reward when you click through from them to buy goods. 

• Find out more: cashback sites explained

10. Ignore the name tag

Many products are branded as ‘for pregnancy’, from vitamins and skincare products to herbal teas.

But that doesn’t mean a standard version won’t work just as well. As long as the ingredients are safe, it’s worth seeing whether a cheaper alternative will serve the same purpose.

Other things can be adapted from their original purpose. Some maternity clothes can double up as breastfeeding-friendly outfits, while a breastfeeding pillow will earn its value both pre- and post-birth.

11. Buy second-hand or borrow

Baby products don’t wear out very quickly and often aren't used for long. You can often bag a bargain by shopping for things second-hand (not to mention doing your bit to save the planet). 

Have a look at Facebook Marketplace, Depop, eBay, Vinted or your local National Childbirth Trust (NCT) sales. If you have friends or family with children older than yours, ask if they have any products they’re not using any more that you could have, buy or even borrow.

This tip also applies when you're buying things for older children, such as gifts, clothes or school equipment for teenagers.  

Whatever you buy, be sure to do your research and check it thoroughly for any safety issues. Be aware that car seats should never be bought second-hand, as it’s impossible to tell if they’ve been in a crash that has weakened the seat.

• Find out more: the best and worst places to shop secondhand online  

12. Tell people what you need

Family and friends are likely to bring gifts for a new baby, and again for your child’s birthdays as they grow older, so let them know what will be most useful for you. 

Encourage them to bring items that would make a difference to your day-to-day life – for example, picking out a baby sling in lieu of the latest popular toy.

Amazon offers a free gift when you spend £20 on your Baby Wish List.

13. Keep toys to a minimum

Babies and young children are often happier to play with the wrapping paper and box than the carefully selected toy inside. So if you’re strapped for cash, make toys the first thing you cut back on.

Instead, try collecting a basket of everyday items like spatulas, hairbrushes and empty kitchen roll tubes for your baby. They’ll have a blast and your wallet will thank you.

14. Cut childcare costs

There are a few ways you can get childcare for free or at a discount.

Parents in England with children aged three and four can get 15 hours' free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year, and you may qualify for an extra 15 hours if you are on a low income.

Some parents may also qualify for the tax-free childcare scheme. It pays working parents up to £2,000 a year towards their childcare bills, and £4,000 for children with disabilities. 

• Find out more: ways to cut your childcare costs

15. Make extra money in your spare time

If money is tighter than it used to be while you’re out of work caring for your family, there are ways to boost your income. 

It might be possible to earn extra cash from the comfort of your sofa by, for example, reviewing music, testing games or taking part in online surveys.  

• Find out more: best ways to make money

16. Adapt your healthy living activities

While pregnancy yoga or fitness classes can be great fun, it’s useful to know that you can continue most normal exercise routines throughout pregnancy. 

If you already have a gym membership, it may make more financial sense to ask an instructor which equipment and classes can be adapted to pregnant women, rather than paying for additional sessions. 

Swimming and walking are other activities that are gentle both on your body and wallet when you’re pregnant.

17. Cut down your food costs

Try to avoid shopping at ‘express’ stores, as convenience comes at a price. Which? research shows that you could be spending hundreds of pounds a year more by regularly shopping at convenience stores rather than large supermarkets.

Consider larger pack sizes, to pay less per weight/quantity, plan meals for the week ahead and stick to your shopping list. If you can, batch cook and freeze leftovers for future meals. 

Making your own baby-friendly foods and freezing individual portions could also be more economical than buying pre-made jars and pouches. 

Whatever you’re buying, you may be able to save money by switching to another supermarket. Each month, we conduct research to crown the cheapest supermarket to help you make that switch.

• Find out more: how to spend less at the supermarket

18. Reduce household bills

The cost of living crisis has seen many household bills skyrocket, but there are still things you can do to keep costs to a minimum.

With broadband and mobile phones, for example, you can still save hundreds by switching to a cheaper deal. 

Our survey of more than 5,000 customers found that more than seven in 10 who switched to a new provider at the end of their contract made a saving of between 13% and 16%.

If you're happy with your existing provider, it's worth negotiating. Haggling typically leads to savings of between 5% and 7%.

• Find out more: how to save on your mobile phone bill

19. Get something back when you’re spending

Many retailers, restaurants, and supermarkets offer loyalty schemes that reward customers by giving you points every time you buy something. These points can then be used toward the cost of future purchases.

Loyalty cards for shops including Boots, Superdrug and supermarket chains could come in particularly handy if you’ll be buying lots from one retailer.

• Find out more: which supermarket loyalty cards are worth it

20. Plan budget-friendly date nights

When you and your partner might need the occasional break from parenting duties, date night doesn’t need to be pricey.

Many restaurants offer dining discounts, while websites such as OpenTable, Lastminute, and 5pm specialise in two-for-one meals, 50% offers and promotions including free wine with your dinner. 

Look out for similar offers on two-for-one cinema tickets if you fancy a midweek movie night instead.

• Find out more: best ways to save money

21. Find cheap parent and baby activities

Your local Sure Start centre is often a good port of call. Many of them run baby sensory or massage groups, especially for parents with little ones.

Otherwise, have a look around for church playgroups in your area. While not always free, you can usually get in for just a pound or two – and the entrance fee often includes free tea and biscuits.

When your child gets older, try your local council website to see what youth activities it's running. You'll find lots for your child to do, often for free, especially in the school holidays. These range from sports clubs to places for older kids and teens to socialise together.