Our finest list of financial life hacks for new parents.
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Bringing a little one into the world is a joyous occasion, but it can also be intimidating when you add up the costs of all those baby must-haves. The expenses can quickly pile up, from diapers to onesies and formula to bottles, and parents may be looking for easy ways to save some cash.
The great news for Canadian parents is that you can score many baby essentials for free. To help you find the best freebies, we've researched everything from free welcome boxes to money-saving coupons and rewards programs.
New parents in Canada are eligible to receive welcome boxes after the birth of their baby. These boxes are filled with toys, clothing and informational resources for parents. For instance, the Bienvenue bébé Welcome Kit in Montreal offers useful items and educational products. Parents or guardians can collect the kit by presenting proof of address and the baby's birth at any of Montréal's libraries.
Parents in Canada can score free samples of baby products like formula, skincare items, diapers and wipes. These freebies are available through brands offering samples, by setting up registries and through local community organizations.
Thanks to the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, new moms can receive free prenatal and postnatal nutrition products, including vitamins, and gain access to prenatal and postnatal health promotion programs.
iStockYou can also get free or affordable baby gear by accepting hand-me-downs or gently used items from friends or family members. Similarly, organizations such as Mamas for Mamas, The Salvation Army in Canada and Once Upon a Child can help parents access these essential items.
Yes, you read that right — you can get your child a free first birthday cake in Canada. Based in British Columbia, Thrifty Foods offers parents a free 8×12 inch sheet cake in pink, blue, or green. Parents must present the child's birth certificate and order the cake at least 24 hours in advance.
Surprisingly, many retailers offer baby registries to new parents. By signing up for baby registries at retailers like Amazon, Walmart (though the Walmart Baby Box is only available in the United States), or Babies "R" Us, you can access welcome boxes filled with free newborn samples and discount offers.
To find free sample offers and promotions online, enter specific keywords into your search engine, such as 'free baby samples Canada' or 'baby promotions Canada.' You should 'also include the current year in your search to find the most up-to-date offers.
You can also save on items like diapers through rewards and loyalty programs. Pampers, for instance, has a program where your purchases earn you points. These points can then be swapped for free Pampers items.
Parenting blogs and online communities can also help find the best baby freebies in Canada. Subreddits like r/BabyBumpsCanada, for example, have many threads and updates on free sample offers and tips from other parents.
By subscribing to newsletters from baby product manufacturers and retailers, you can quickly receive updates on promotions and free samples. You can also follow baby brands on social media for the latest promotions and giveaways.
Don't overlook the value of coupon-focused websites that collect diverse promotional offers, including baby products. A prime example is Save.ca, which is worth adding to your list of go-to sites. It regularly updates with the newest daily, weekly, and monthly bargains across multiple categories.
Best Buy Canada offers another opportunity for parents to obtain free baby items. By participating, parents can receive baby products at no cost, which they can keep after testing and reviewing them on the Best Buy website.
When you create a baby registry with Babies "R" U, you get a swag bag filled with pacifiers, wipes, nursing cream and a baby bottle.
Parents who enroll in the Nestlé Baby Program Canada can receive exclusive offers, coupons and samples of Nestlé products.
You can also create a baby registry on Amazon to receive a free welcome box. The box includes full—and sample-size items as well as coupons for savings.
Several charities and nonprofits in Canada can help parents find free or low-cost car seats, strollers, and carriers.
Organizations like BabyGoRound, for example, accept gently used baby gear and distribute it to Canadian parents who may not be able to afford it otherwise.
You can look into local buy-and-sell groups and online marketplaces to find gently used baby gear.
iStockOnline platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay or Poshmark Canada can help parents find gently used items at affordable prices.
Participating in community swaps or consignment sales is an excellent way to acquire baby gear.
To discover events in your vicinity, consider using a consignment sale finder specific to your area, joining local parenting groups on Facebook, checking bulletin boards, and looking for swap events organized at churches, schools, or community centers.
Surprisingly, many programs offer free samples to help parents with diapers and wipes. One such program is Huggies' No Baby Unh'gged, which gives free newborn diaper samples and wipes to new or expectant parents who register, although there's a limit of one item per household.
Creating a baby registry can help parents score free diapers and other baby samples. Setting up a registry with retailers such as Babies R Us, for example, allows parents to receive a free swag bag that may include diapers, wipes and other baby freebies.
Looking into manufacturer programs can also be a great way to score free baby samples. For instance, the Enfamil My Family Beginnings program offers coupons and potential formula samples. Register with the Similac Club to receive coupons and possible formula samples.
Across Canada, events like The Baby Show offer parents access to the latest in parenting innovations, including wellness products, baby safety equipment and essential baby items. Renowned brands such as Munchkin and BioGaia participate. This fall, The Baby Show will be held in Toronto and Vancouver. Visitors can also get a free goody bag for attending.
Checking with local diaper banks or charities that provide free diapers to families in need is also a good idea. Some major diaper banks in Canada include the Diaper Bank of Toronto, Cloth for a Cause, and the Diaper Bank of London.
For those who are physically able, breastfeeding can be a great option. Not only can it help your wallet, but it also means less time spent buying, mixing formula and washing bottles.
While convenient, pre-made baby food costs can accumulate over time. Consider whipping up homemade meals for your little one—they're often cheaper and guarantee freshness and great nutrition.
You can also stretch your budget further by borrowing baby gear like carriers, swings or bouncers from family and friends instead of buying these pricey, short-term use items.
Parents can save money and hassle by choosing high-quality, convertible items that grow with their kids. Plus, you can reuse these items for years if you plan on having more children.
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Courtney Leiva has over 11 years of experience producing content for numerous digital mediums, including features, breaking news stories, e-commerce buying guides, trends, and evergreen pieces. Her articles have been featured in HuffPost, Buzzfeed, PEOPLE, and more.