Best things to teach a newborn and save $

LHygnix on 06/09/2017 - 00:32

So we're about to have a baby!

I'm trying to work out what I need to learn now, to teach the boy from day one.

Whilst this could be posted to some parenting site for general advice, I wanted to hear what my fellow ozbargainers consider vital, especially when it comes to saving $.

Apparently elimination communication is quite effective and essentially reduces the need of nappy/diapers drastically (which I've heard is an endless cost you subscribe to…) but it doesn't mean eradicating the use of them altogether.

Anyone have other pro tips on what to teach/ habits to harbour or even things to buy that serve as awesome long term investments in terms of baby>toddler>child $ saving

Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/09/2017 - 00:50
    +13

    So we're about to have a baby!

    Congratulations.

    Teach the boy to be respectful to both fellow humans and his possessions. That will save you money in the future by not having to visit him in gaol or purchase a new ipad every year in high school.

    Source: two teenage kids

  • retiredfeline on 06/09/2017 - 00:53
    +7

    Buy low sell high.

  • Findo on 06/09/2017 - 01:14
    +1

    Teach them how to save. In early days, I had two cups for my pocket money - one cup for spending, the other cup for saving. My parents made it a weekly ritual to give me my $2 of pocket money and I had to put $1 into each cup.

    Swimming lessons can be a waste of money especially when they're stuck at particular levels without progress. When it's mums and bubs it doesn't matter but when school age hits it's pretty dependent on the quality of the swim school and the instructor. Don't settle for anyone who hasn't had any proper competitive swimming experience and look for a place that has a philosophy and a track record of junior and senior high performance results ie look for a place that has a clear pathway from mums and bubs to a high performance squad that actually achieves results.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/09/2017 - 01:54
      +14

      Wow. Do you want your kids to be safe in water or bring home gold in 2036?

      • Findo on 06/09/2017 - 02:54
        +2

        No point doing a half-arsed effort. I've seen some pretty dodgy LTS instructors teaching pretty dodgy things. Why not set the kid up for every chance of success if he/she wants to pursue the sport?
        I see kids who are 12 languishing in LTS programs still trying to learn and swim butterfly and breaststroke properly - at that age they should well and truly be in squads swimming 4 times a week at the very least if they want a chance of succeeding. If these 12 year olds went to a place with a vision and were taught properly in the beginning, perhaps they wouldn't be stuck in LTS classes at that age. If my future kid/s aren't in squads by the age of 12 (but can swim well enough to not die at the beach), they're doing something else to maximise my investment. If they really like swimming, they can put together a funding proposal for my consideration.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/09/2017 - 04:21
          +2

          You seem admirably passionate about this. I assume you did swimming growing up.

        • Findo on 06/09/2017 - 09:50
          +5

          @TightBottom: I did, and I am working in that industry. I've seen what works and what doesn't, and unfortunately too many swim schools are staffed by incompetent people who have done the course and are 'teaching'. I have seen many instances of instructors teaching the wrong things, or stuff that is not up to date with current developments. I have spoken to a few coaches who have coached record holders and placed swimmers on state and national teams, and they've all said this:
          1. most LTS programs do not have a clear progression path towards elite swimming
          2. most LTS programs are taught by a highly transient workforce comprised mostly of uni students, who after doing their Austswim courses, are suddenly qualified to work as LTS instructors. That means quality control comes down to individual swim schools and HR (if applicable)
          3. Because its a highly transient workforce, many instructors do not seem to care about teaching the correct things or have any real interest in the sport let alone the development pathways, partly because the work is seen as easy money {$30+/h at most places + weekend penalties). Anyway, after a few years they move on when they find a real job.
          4. Therefore, the best chance to succeed lies in going to a place with a clear development pathway and a philosophy that all staff members remain committed to.

          While I can appreciate not every kid is cut out for swimming, parents need to realise the path to competition starts pretty damn early. There are a lot of 10-12 year old kids stuck in LTS programs and their parents are hardly aware there are 10-12 State Age Championships running already and that those kids are training at least 3-5 times a week. Young swimmers that do well and train a lot are not freaks, it is just how it is - you can either join them or save yourself some money and do something else. But in order to join them, they can't be in LTS programs. They need to learn the correct things and move into a mini-squad preferably before the age of 10.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 12:19

          @niggard:

          If those programs can't attract and/or attain the calibre of staff they need, they should offer to pay more.

        • Findo on 06/09/2017 - 13:25
          +2

          @Scrooge McDuck: Austswim is a big part of the problem. They've gone from water safety advocacy to a money making business. A basic teacher of swimming and water safety course costs well over $400 these days. When I did it a few years back it was $265. Now anyone who hold a licence can teach basically anywhere and it's wrong - it's become as common as a RCG/RSA qualification. People do prac hours to get the licence but because it's such a transient workforce they almost always get hired after the prac hours are done, and not everyone knows or cares about swimming to ensure only knowledgable and passionate people get hired. Management and hiring managers need to more educated on the requirements of the sport and hire accordingly. It all comes down to lack of knowledge and a proliferation of licences that could've come from a cereal packet.

        • OzFrugie on 07/09/2017 - 18:28

          @niggard:

          Any places around Sydney that you can recommend for kids swimming lessons?

        • Findo on 07/09/2017 - 19:56
          +1

          @OzFrugie: If I had kids, I would send them to Carlile (Cross St) as it feeds into Ryde Carlile over at Ryde Aquatic. Any of the Carlile programs irrespective of the centre are pretty decent, but I would be looking mostly at the development pathways. Some of the private schools on the North Shore are pretty decent too, I would give my preferences to Abbotsleigh or Barker; the new Pymble Ladies' pool is being built and that one could be potentially pretty good. The Knox performance program is decent but I know of LTS staff who have left due to poor working conditions.

          More importantly, it's important to ensure the instructor teaching your child actually knows what he/she is doing.

  • Some Human on 06/09/2017 - 01:16
    +15

    Teach him that when he needs advice about the important things in life, he should consult a bunch of strangers on a bargain website.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 12:20

      Especially on lifestyle matters amongst people who spend all day on the interweb.

  • eatwell365 on 06/09/2017 - 05:21
    +3

    Congratulations, how exciting.

    Once these were thought to be bright ideas when child was born.

    Open a bank saving account for the newborn - under your name otherwise tax on interest is maximum. Save eg $100 a month. Invest in blue chip shares.
    Piano since 2.5 years,
    Play Mozart before baby was born.
    Lesson on dancing, swimming, scouts, programming…early.
    Buy the best pram, best car seat, best nappies…best of everything.

    Really - people can plan the best and give what they think the best to a child, sometimes it is up to the child or the spouse.
    The higher expectation can lead to more anxiety and disappointment when things don't work out as plan.
    Found my key is to stay calm and float with the flow. Happy wife, happy life.

    Enjoy the present - what you have now and people around you, Now is present, as present is a present.
    No need to look too far or look at the past.

    Set examples - monkeys see monkey do. Show the child love and generiosity to others. Make your decision to spend time with the family. Share the journey of growing up with the child and build memories.

    For $$$ saving ideas, there are truck loads of parenting or mummy's websites online.

    Best of luck. Happy parenting,

  • TheBilly on 06/09/2017 - 05:59
    +3

    I think your on the right track irrespective of advice. My opinion is that whatever you want the child to do or atleast encourage them to do, you need to implement in your own life to better your chances in them implementing it. I.e. bad habits like smoking, drinking, consumerism. Cut it out yourself and kid will also not be drawn to it - or at the very least have a living working example to follow if they choose.

  • ihbh on 06/09/2017 - 06:13
    +2

    As they get older children model their parents. Kid will copy you so learn these things first and teach them by example.

    EC is effective not just for saving nappies and sustainability of the environment, but time and cleanliness. Remember that each kid is unique and will get there in their own time. The poos are easy to manage early on. The pees take longer. There will be periods where they regress, so there are times where it's 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

  • Aniseed Steed on 06/09/2017 - 08:01
    +2

    As a parent, prepare yourself for disappointment.

    As for your kids, teach them how to cope with failure and disappointment. More often than not, they won't get what they want, and not for lack of trying either - they get what they get.

    Congratulations!

    • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 12:24
      +3

      Yeah, forget that you can be whatever you want to be crap!

      The key to happiness is being content with what you have, then everything else is a bonus.

  • airzone on 06/09/2017 - 08:18
    +1

    You can either go the doctor/lawyer approach, or you can keep popping kids out until one of them makes it big in Hollywood.. Then whose paying the bills? Hollywood kid!

    • Aniseed Steed on 06/09/2017 - 08:32
      +2

      Then whose paying the bills?

      Centrelink, if things don't go as planned.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 12:33

      You can either go the doctor/lawyer approach, or you can keep popping kids out until one of them makes it big in Hollywood.. Then whose paying the bills? Hollywood kid!

      The world doesn't need any more Home Alone sequels.

  • buzymum20 on 06/09/2017 - 08:26
    +1

    Teach the baby to sleep throughout the night- goodluck!

  • Ryanek on 06/09/2017 - 09:21
    +3

    Keep them off phones and tablets at much as possible. The temptation to give them a device just to calm them down can be really hard, but studies have shown that using devices at such an early age is really detrimental to their health.

    We try to encourage books and toys as much as possible.

  • apple2016 on 06/09/2017 - 10:06
    +1

    So we're about to have a baby!

    Congrats.

    I'm trying to work out what I need to learn now, to teach the boy from day one.

    Well you would be amazed on how much the little one can teach you about parenting.

  • biozet on 06/09/2017 - 10:27
    +1

    you'll need to continually learn

  • Mackeg02 on 06/09/2017 - 10:29
    +1

    Congratulations.

    Nappies aren't a huge expense maybe $10-12 a week the most, having said that i only buy them when they are on special. if you are having to use formula that will be your biggest expense apart form the initial cost of buying a cot/pram etc. Gum tree is your friend for things such as toys/bumbo's swings etc.

  • loke on 06/09/2017 - 11:07
    +2

    Still gotta stock up when something goes on sale;

    Cheap diapers at ALDI. Huggies does occasionally go on sale.

    Diaper rash is a pain to manage, need plenty of diaper changes, plenty of diaper free, and you have to stock up on a heap of zinc oxide creams to use as a barrier cream, (the nurses / midwives didn't recommend powders), Desitin goes on sale at chemist warehouse occasionally, Curash too occasionally at supermarkets.

    Slip another diaper under ASAP when doing diaper changes, keep the baby's front covered too unless you're a true ninja at catching piss

    • Hygnix on 07/09/2017 - 13:49

      Awesome, great $ saving tips, thanks!

  • Scrooge McDuck on 06/09/2017 - 12:37
    +2

    Teach him to spot price reduction stickers from 3 m and to always profit from rounding, it'll be even more important in his future when the 5c coin is removed from circulation.

  • biozet on 06/09/2017 - 13:19

    teach him to read then get him to browse oz bargain for you

  • ozzie freddo on 06/09/2017 - 20:30
    +2

    Every kid is different and their personalities very soon emerge and stay basically the same for life. Before I had them, I thought all babies were the same.
    Teach him that he is responsible for any consequences of his behaviour.
    Teach him not to buy impulsively.
    Teach him not to buy the latest, wait until the impulsive buyers are offloading the previous model at much lower prices.
    Teach him to be kind to others.

    Despite your best efforts, he'll do what he wants and so will any subsequent siblings.

    Don't underestimate how much you will be his model, so understand your own values and give a very occasional explanation of what you are doing and why ….but, most importantly, be consistent.

    • eatwell365 on 07/09/2017 - 03:10
      +1

      Teach him not to buy impulsively.

      this is a bit difficult if the child sees you on ozbargain everyday and receiving parcel delivery every 2nd day. : )

      • boomramada on 07/09/2017 - 08:28

        maybe teach them to read the share index?;)

  • paaj on 07/09/2017 - 09:56
    +1

    when teaching them first words: o-z-z-z-b-a-a-a—a-r-g-a-i-n

  • dragonfly090 on 07/09/2017 - 10:17
    +3

    Congrats.

    Teach the kid
    1. Honesty
    2. Respect everyone
    3. Help them understand the value of money, no point teaching them to save (asking to pay rent when they turn 14+ does not classify). If they learn to value they will save. More you restrict, more rebellious.
    4. Teach them to set targets and work towards it.
    5. teach them to live a minimalistic life. Buy, but only which is an absolute must, teach how to determine what is a must. sometimes some things are necessary to satisfy the mental hunger and ego. Which is fine.
    6. Last but the most critical. Kids learn from you if you keep throwing money (impulsive buying because there is a deal also qualifies) and expect kids to save. Good luck with it.

  • Hygnix on 07/09/2017 - 13:54
    +1

    Thanks for the responses guys. Easy to criticise asking strangers for advice, I know.. But considering we are all of the 'bargain' mentality I wondered if others have found excellent ways to save money whilst having kids - EC was one thing I've accidentally stumbled upon, hence the original question.

    Great tips and comments, appreciate it :)

    • loke on 07/09/2017 - 14:31
      +2

      I guess EC/potty training is pretty traditional (parents/grandparents went thru it with me + cloth diapers -singapore background), would still be a while until the little one is old enough to be potty trained.

      I'm sure you know there's paid parental leave available from Centrelink (up to 18 weeks for the mother and 2 weeks for the partner, for taking unpaid leave from your employer), the hospital had sample bags with some baby necessities, I got some curash samples in there, my one is particularly prone to diaper rashes and I was using hydrozole (hydrocortisone+antifungal) on GPs directions.

  • MayhemVC on 07/09/2017 - 21:15

    Don't spend more than you make. :)

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