How Can I Save Money As a New Mum?

Becoming a new mum is an exciting and life-changing experience, but it can also be expensive! From nappies to baby clothes and toys, the costs can quickly add up. However, there are plenty of ways to be savvy and save money without compromising on quality or fun for you and your baby. Here are some practical and effective ways to cut costs as a new mum.

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1. Use Cashback Websites and Apps

One of the easiest ways to save money on your everyday purchases is by using cashback websites such as Quidco and TopCashback. These platforms allow you to earn cashback on purchases you were already planning to make, from groceries to baby essentials.

To date on Quidco, I have earned over £1000 of cashback for shopping that I would have done anyway. Things like booking hotels or holidays and ordering grocery shopping and Christmas presents through Quidco have helped make the cashback stack up. It’s free to join and Quidco Basic is free all the time. If you want higher rates of cashback, you can sign up for Quidco Premium which is £1 a month and taken from your cashback earnings each month. But the great thing is if you don’t use Quidco for 30 days, the £1 isn’t taken from your account.

TopCashback is my current favourite website for online shopping because of the ease. I can be on my laptop, I go onto TCB, find the retailer I want to buy from, click through their link and then buy what I want on their website like normal. It’s the same as Quidco. I always compare rates between the two before I purchase and go with the best rate.

Cashback Apps

There are also fantastic cashback apps like Everup and JamDoughnut that offer instant cashback or rewards when you shop through them. Over time, these small savings can add up to a significant amount, making them a must-have for any budget-conscious parent.

Everup is an app on your phone. You can purchase e-vouchers on there. Most are instantly delivered to you. I just had one occasion when I had to wait 30 minutes for it to arrive in my inbox. Everup also has games on its platform. When you purchase a gift card, a lot of them say you’ll get a percentage back as cashback plus some coins. These coins can be used to play on Everup‘s games plus every day, you get free plays on its casino wheel and scratch cards to win coins or cashback. The coins can then be used for more spins or scratches to win cashback and sometimes vouchers. Cashback is easy to withdraw once you have more than £1 in your cashback earnings or you can choose to leave it in your account and use it on your next gift card purchase.

Jamdoughnut is a new app to me having only purchased one voucher through it. I signed up for free but after buying a £10 voucher, I got £5 cashback as a joining bonus. I can cash this out once I reach £10.

Tip: Always check for cashback offers before making any online purchases. You might be surprised at how much you can save!

A top tip is to stack the savings. But do be aware as some places don’t let you do this. Hotels.com won’t let you get cashback through Quidco or TopCashback if you’re paying with a gift voucher, which is sad. So, best to check the terms and conditions before you buy anything.

Find an item I want to buy online.
Research where I can get cashback (Quidco, TopCashback, Everup or JamDoughnut) and compare. Pick the one with the best rate.
If available, buy a voucher from one of the platforms.
Go to one of the cashback sites (Quidco or TopCashback) and go through their link to the website you want to buy from.
Find the item and pay using your voucher.
You will have stacked up the cashback then.

Here’s an example:

I want to buy a toddler playset which is £72.32 from Tesco. (Prices and cashback correct at time of writing and may change at any time.)

I go into Everup and see that cashback is 4.3% if I buy a voucher. Jamdoughnut have Tesco cashback pumped up to 4.2%. TopCashback Gift Cards have vouchers for 3% cashback. I decide on using Everup.

Then, I go into TopCashback and search for Tesco. It is showing as £1 cashback for existing customers and £11 cashback for new customers. Quidco’s cashback is 37p for existing customers and £7.50 cashback for new customers.

Therefore as an existing customer, I shall buy a voucher for £72.32 from Everup gaining me £3.11 cashback for a future purchase on the app. I go into TopCashback and go through the link for existing customers to earn my £1 cashback there.

In total, I will have bought the £72.32 playset for £72.32 on the day plus the cost of click and collect or home delivery but I will be getting £4.11 back in cashback. £3.11 immediately into my Everup app and £1 at a later date on TopCashback. So really it cost me £68.21 which is a saving of 5.69% which is better than nothing.

Other great savings:

Everup currently has Starbucks as a whopping 10.90% cashback plus coins to play in its online games to try to earn even more cashback. You could even be stood in the queue buying your Everup voucher and save money. It’s that quick! Though I do recommend either working out your bill before you queue or buying a gift voucher in advance in case of internet difficulties.

Costa is also on 10.30% cashback plus coins.

Cashback correct at time of writing and may change at any time.

If coffee is your thing, this is an app not to miss.

2. Buy Secondhand Baby Clothes and Toys

Babies grow incredibly fast, often outgrowing clothes and toys within months. Instead of spending a fortune on brand-new items, consider buying secondhand.

Great places to find pre-loved baby items include:

Facebook Marketplace – Local sellers often list baby clothes, toys, and furniture for a fraction of the original price.
Vinted and eBay – These platforms have a vast selection of affordable secondhand baby clothes.
NCT Nearly New Sales – The National Childbirth Trust holds events where parents sell quality secondhand baby items at low prices.

Buying secondhand not only saves you money but is also a more sustainable choice.

We have bought so many toys secondhand. The children don’t know the difference and it means they can have more variety as we can spread the cost over several gifts rather than just one toy.

3. Find Free and Cheap Baby Activities

Keeping your baby entertained doesn’t have to be expensive. Many communities offer free or low-cost baby groups, especially in church halls and community centres.

Some affordable and free options include:

Local Library Storytime Sessions – Many libraries offer free baby and toddler sessions with stories, songs, and rhymes.
Church Hall Baby Groups – These are often much cheaper than private baby classes and provide a great way to meet other mums.
Sure Start Centres – If you’re in the UK, check if there’s a Sure Start Centre nearby, as they often run free baby activities and support groups. Our children centres run free stay and play sessions in term-time.
Outdoor Play – Parks, nature walks, and baby-friendly playgrounds provide free fun and fresh air.

Tip: Check local Facebook groups for community events and parent meet-ups. Many mums share details about affordable activities in the area.

Here are some free ideas for summer fun with your little one: 20 Fun and Free Outdoor Activities for Kids This Summer – Fun Family Home

Make friends – This money-saving tip is to do with free activities. Take turns at hosting. Buy a packet of biscuits, have some tea or coffee in and just have people round with their kids. No need to buy anything fancy. The kids get to have fun playing with different toys and you get to have a chat without buying a £7 coffee.

4. Swap Baby Items with Other Parents

Instead of buying everything new, consider swapping items with other parents. If a friend or family member has slightly older children, they may have baby clothes, toys, and equipment they no longer need.

You can also join local baby swap groups on Facebook, where parents exchange items for free or at a low cost. This is a great way to pass on things your baby no longer needs while picking up new items without spending much.

5. Make the Most of Free Baby Samples and Discounts

Many brands offer free baby samples, vouchers, and discounts to new parents. Some of the best places to sign up for freebies include:

Emma’s Diary – Sign up for free baby packs filled with samples and coupons.
Boots Parenting Club – Offers extra Advantage Card points and discounts on baby products.
Supermarket Baby Clubs – Asda has a baby club that provides exclusive discounts and money back in your cashpot.

Tip: Follow your favourite baby brands on social media, as they often announce special promotions and giveaways.

You used to be able to get a free Bounty pack of baby supplies but they have stopped these now.

Amazon has a helpful free place for you store your wishlist for baby and child purchases which you can easily then share with friends and family.

6. Plan Your Meals and Shop Smart

Grocery shopping is a major expense, but with a bit of planning, you can cut costs significantly:

Meal Plan – Plan your meals for the week to avoid unnecessary spending and reduce food waste.
Batch Cook – Prepare meals in bulk and freeze portions to save time and money.
Use Discount Supermarkets – Stores like Aldi and Lidl offer great savings on baby essentials.
Buy Own-Brand Baby Products – Many supermarket own-brand nappies and wipes are just as good as the big-name brands but cost much less.
Use Supermarket Cashback Apps – Apps like Everup and JamDoughnut offer cashback on your regular purchases.
Use basic staples and get your kids to like them rather than the expensive brands – easier said than done with some children but it will save you a lot of money in the long run if they aren’t addicted to named brands.

7. Use Cloth Nappies and Reusable Wipes

Disposable nappies and wipes can be expensive, but switching to cloth nappies and reusable wipes can save hundreds of pounds over the years. While there’s an initial investment, the long-term savings are worth it.

Some councils even offer cloth nappy vouchers or grants, so check with your local authority to see if you can get help with the cost.

8. Sign Up for Baby Product Trials and Surveys

Many brands look for parents to test baby products before they hit the market. By signing up for product trials, you can receive free baby food, nappies, toys, and more. Websites like Trybe, Home Tester Club, and Influenster often have baby-related campaigns.

9. Consider Subscription Services for Essentials

Subscription services for nappies, baby wipes, and formula can sometimes work out cheaper than buying them individually. Amazon’s Subscribe & Save feature offers discounts on repeat deliveries of baby essentials, and some nappy brands offer bulk-buy discounts.

10. Borrow Instead of Buying

For short-term baby items like Moses baskets, bouncers, and travel systems, consider borrowing from friends or family rather than buying new. Some libraries even have toy and book lending schemes, so you can keep your little one entertained without constantly buying new things.

We bought a used Moses basket and stand for £5 from Facebook Marketplace. We purchased a new mattress and bedding and it was perfectly fine to use and such a bargain compared to other cots out there. We were then able to donate it to others in need after we’d used it.

Saving money as a new mum doesn’t mean missing out—it’s all about being smart with your spending and making use of the fantastic resources available. By using cashback apps, buying secondhand, finding free activities, and taking advantage of baby freebies, you can cut costs without compromising on quality.