Month: October 2021

A Guest Feature from Amanda Henderson ‘Moving House with Young Children – A Parents Perspective’!

Photo via pexcels

Tips for Buying and Selling a Home as a New Parent

Buying and selling a home at the same time is stressful enough as it is. For new or expecting parents, the process can be completely overwhelming! There are just so many things to consider, decisions to make, and demanding tasks to check off your to-do list. Thankfully, we’ve assembled a few resources to help you navigate the buying and selling process while keeping your stress levels to a minimum. 

Get Help Finding Your Perfect Home

House hunting isn’t easy, especially when you have young kids to think about. Get help from a local professional to find a home that’s perfectly suited for your growing family.

● Keep an eye out for family-friendly neighborhoods where you can raise your kids. ● Look for home features that will accommodate your growing family, like a big kitchen, a safe backyard space, and access to fast and reliable internet service.● Consider hiring professional movers to make your relocation as quick and reasonably painless as possible.

Don’t Blow Your Budget

Sticking to a home buying budget is essential for ensuring your new home is affordable both now and in the long run. Review your mortgage options to get a better idea of your home affordability. ● Review your various options to determine the best mortgage rates today.● Start saving for your house deposit as soon as possible.● An online mortgage calculator can help you determine your monthly payments. ● Budget with your baby’s expenses in mind.● Know what to do if your mortgage application is declined.

Get the Most From Your Home Sale

From pricing your home correctly to cleaning and staging, a little upfront work will pay off big time when it’s time to sell.● Leverage effective pricing strategies to get maximum value for your home.● Have some strategies to get your home show-ready with young kids underfoot, like keeping a laundry basket ready for quick pick-ups and saving room for it in the trunk of your car when there’s a last-minute showing.● Enlist a few good negotiation strategies to get the most money for your home when you sell.● Take steps to reduce stress when selling your home;learn some breathing exercises for tough moments, engage in meditation or yoga, and apply some aromatherapy to your day.

Buying and selling a home with kids on the way is bound to be more than a little stressful. Try not to stress over the small details. Take everything one step at a time and you’ll be moving into your new home before you know it!

Amanda Henderson and Nursery Safely (Guest Post)

Once again, thank you Amanda for today’s guest post regarding safety in your nursery! A very informative read. And something that will assist all parents with small children…

Setting Up a Nursery: Budget-Friendly Tips

When you’re expecting a baby, it’s important to think of the best ways to save money. After all, having kids is expensive! You also want to ensure that everything you choose for your child is safe and will help him learn and grow while he stays healthy; however, merging all those things can sometimes be difficult. When designing a nursery for your baby, you want to choose items that will help carry your child through several stages. This way, you get more bang for your buck. 

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to save money while designing the nursery of your dreams. The key is to start looking for deals before you make any purchases. Many stores offer discounts and coupons that can help you save while getting everything you need for the baby. You can also set up a registry, which will keep you organized while getting you a discount on the items that are left on the list after a baby shower or other celebration.

Scout Out Deals

Start looking for the best deals on all the things you need for the nursery as early as possible. You can use savings and promo codes for various online retailers, and daily deals from Amazon and weekly ads for Target offer additional ways to save money. The key is to keep your eyes open for ways to keep your budget in check while getting all the things you need. It’s also important to pay attention to reviews; for example, if you decide you want to go for a space-saving mini-crib, you need to know which ones are perfect for your child and your nursery.

Also, make repairs to the room as needed, and don’t be afraid to call in professionals. For instance, if the window in your nursery could use some TLC before the baby arrives, budget around $290 and call in a window specialist to make sure the job is done correctly. Search for “window repair near me” online and use Angi to help you decide which pro to call.

Invest in Items That will Grow with Your Child

It’s a good idea to invest in things that your child can use for years to come; for instance, buy an infant seat that can be converted as your little one grows and, as Mother.ly notes, learning toys that have more than one use. There are many options on the market these days, from bathtime tools to bouncy seats, and each one has pros and cons. Do some research before making any decisions, and read reviews on sites like Amazon so you can see what other parents have to say — especially with regard to safety. When you’re ready to purchase something, use sites like Honey to help you keep those costs down.

Saving money on toys and essentials can allow you to invest more in nursery decor items like wallpaper. You can visit a website like Spoonflower and purchase made-to-order wallpaper in just about any design you wish. You can also look at ideas for wallpaper designs for the nursery if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options. While there are many “universal” designs that are suitable for all ages, you can pick removable wallpaper (either a smooth or woven fabric) in a design that represents a specific stage of your child’s life (e.g., newborn), then simply replace the wallpaper with a different design as your child grows.

Start a Baby Registry

Setting up a baby registry will help you get all the things you need for your child’s nursery without spending a ton of money. Make sure you add small and large items so that your friends and family will have a good variety to choose from as far as price range, and ask the store about discounts on things that are left on the registry afterward. You can even set up a baby registry through retailers such as Walmart to help everyone save a little money.

Make Sure Everything’s Safe

It’s important to not only find the right toys and equipment for your baby’s educational needs but Mayo Clinic suggests also finding the right items for his safety. Think about more than just the things you’ll use every day; consider window blinds, outlets, cords, and other hazards that can be easily taken care of. 

Baby-proofing the nursery is imperative and doesn’t have to cost a lot; look online for the best safety items for your needs and price-check at a couple of different stores.

Setting up the nursery of your dreams doesn’t have to break the bank. Start with a little planning, and look both online and in-store to find the right items for your needs. It may also be helpful to check on the items you want around the holidays, as many stores will have major discounts during that time. With some preparation and a little help from friends and family, you can build the nursery you’ve always wanted and have it all ready for your little bundle of joy.