Question

So if you were about to go on maternity leave, would you borrow $200 from savings to stock up on some bulk items before? I’m talking extra toilet paper, paper towels, frozen convince foods, extra diapers for toddler, extra dog food etc? It would be about $150-$200 over our regular budget and this would not come from our emergency fund but a separate personal savings. Thanks.  

Answer 1

Yes! And make some bulk freezer meals if you can! I’ve even been known to stock up on paper plates to cut down on dishes to wash. The lower maintenance your recovery can be the better.  

Comments

@anaclitic7191 for my second I prepared meals in those Tins from the pound shop and they were one whole meal and one tin was a meal for two kids, I froze them like that so I could just throw them in the oven and cook without worrying and it was way way cheaper than buying ready made cause I bulked it out with LOADS of veg to make Shepard’s pie and lasagne etc  it was so so convenient (3u3 coming soon so doing this stock cook starting now to be prepared) I find Jordan Paige so helpful when it comes to stocking and freezer meals etc! And buy a crock pot if you don’t have the easiest thing to prepare meals for!  

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@ulrikeulster98 save all left over birthday party plates and use them for busy days.  

Answer 2

Yes I did when I had mine back in October. Totally worth it

Answer 3

Absolutely. It will make your life so much easier.  

Answer 4

Yes. That's part of the benefit of savings

Answer 5

Yes! We did a huge costco haul. Get all the laundry detergent!  

Answer 6

Yes! All the wipes!  

Answer 7

Is say yes if you can even get those items. Because of people panicking over coronavirus all of our stores are completely out of toilet paper, paper towels and more. It’s crazy. Good luck getting what you need. Hopefully you are in an area where people are more sensible and not wiping the stores clean of inventory.  

Comments

@anaclitic7191 I tried ordering toilet paper from Costco online yesterday and they cancelled my order because they are completely out. It is nuts.  

Answer 8

Absolutely! Paper goods, diapers, wipes! I’d totally stock up before baby if you have the extra in personal savings! ☺️ And don’t forget the coffee  

Answer 9

Currently on maternity leave and I just store pick up these items, and put someone else down if they’re available

Comments

@anaclitic7191 fair! I have a two year old and newborn currently and yes, my last store pick up was not the most quiet lol

Answer 10

Good time to invest in grocery delivery to be honest . Mine is $99 a year or ($3. 99) each delivery I can get these things without leaving the house with a new baby

Answer 11

Yes. I wasn't up to grocery shopping/cooking for the first month. Fortunately, I had close the a month's worth of meals in the freezer and paper/household items on the shelf.  

Answer 12

Yes- stock up on paper products and laundry supplies. It will be less stressful later on knowing you don’t need to go to the store.  

Answer 13

I'm at the end of my leave and I stocked up on household items, food, and diapers and a bunch of baby products. Also make sure you have enough money to use during maternity leave. I'm squeezing dry right now in my envelopes and I have some expenses coming up in march and I'm not sure I will have enough money for them. But definitely stock up!  

Answer 14

I don’t recall that being a big issue when I had my kids. If it makes you feel better but having children didn’t really cause me (or my husband) to not go out, shop, live life. Motherhood was a big change but in many other ways. but not in buying in bulk ways Besides, online is always an option!  

Comments

@anaclitic7191 do it! I had 3 kids under 4 years. Do what you can to prepare and give yourself peace of mind and grace.  

Answer 15

For me, no, I would not. But I sure as heck would have those things delivered from Amazon instead of going out for them. Do whatever makes you feel the most secure and comfortable.  

Answer 16

Yes. If you've got the room to do it, do it. It's nothing that will go bad or you won't use.  

Comments

@anaclitic7191 I'm always buying in bulk or stocking up when there are good prices! I say if you have the leeway and a place to store it, go for it. Plus I loved having a stocked house when my littles were born. I'm kind of a postpartum mess though so even grocery pickup stressed me out  

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@anaclitic7191 you're better than I! After my second child turned out to be Wreck it Ralph we said no more kids!  I swear if he was my first child he'd be an only child. I couldn't juggle a baby with him around. Congrats mama!  

Answer 17

Not necessarily I stocked up on things I would need in the month after baby was born. So if I was going to need those things, yes.  

Answer 18

Before we had our LO we did a Costco run. I bought TP, paper towels, paper plates (I didn’t want to deal with dishes), Clorox wipes, and a few other things. We still have a huge supply of most of that and our LO is 3 mos. It has been sooo helpful! I think it was definitely worth the splurge

Answer 19

Yes I would actually we just did

Answer 20

I totally would start stocking up! Make life as easy as you can with littles. and did you say you already have 3 littles? Going into a store with 4 littles can be exhausting! Do whatever you can to make things easier!  

Answer 21

Yes! I did this with both of mine. Stock up your pantry and freezer so you or your spouse have everything on hand for a lot of easy meals, prep and freeze meals, stock up on household items, etc so you don’t have to worry about it once baby is here! You will be in a sleepless, baby loving coma.  

Answer 22

Stock up from walmart or target for baby items. their returns are soo easy. also most definitely stock up on necessities especially if hubby isnt going to off for long. every baby/delivery is different but my first I physically couldn't drive for almost 5 weeks and couldn't do stairs. my second I drove myself home from the hospital no issues and did 3 loads of laundry with 2 sets of stairs that day. So just be prepared for anything.  

Answer 23

Yes! You don’t want to be dragging your newborn and bigger kids out to the store with all the sicknesses that could get caught and come home with you!  

Answer 24

I totally did and I didn't regret it!  

Answer 25

I did but I also couldn’t wait to get out of the house once baby was here so it really wasn’t necessary. We went to target the day we got home from the hospital. I don’t do well with being stuck inside

Answer 26

If you're going to be buying anyway, it makes sense to buy now. It will make it easier for you later.  

Answer 27

FOR SURE!  

Answer 28

Seems silly but look into an add on bidet attachment. It's become my baby shower gift. They are like $30 and make things easier.  

Answer 29

Oh yeah!  

Answer 30

I would. I’m so looking forward to barely leaving my house for 3 months lol I’ve factored in grocery delivery into my maternity leave budget so anything I forget can be delivered.  

Answer 31

Yes it’s a smart thing to do to have them, plus if you can find some deals also it might save you total. Sams club online had a deal the other month & since I’ve seen if you buy so many of select products including TP, paper towels, garbage bags it was like $8 off. Plus shipped free or included in prices shown. Also don’t forget your feminine products you might not usually use, but will be for after delivering too. Different, or more of them I mean.