it is a dilemma for mums like me who do look for eco friendly products, but sometimes they are more expensive, you feel the pressure of not buying second hand because of endless marketing and reports of second hand cribs, basinettes being a SIDS risks for babies. All mine are new, but I try and buy on sale.

Unfortunately, sometimes the money you earn gets re-directed to the new priority, so we don't do dinners all the time like we used to and see every single movie and buy stacks of really expensive clothes when travelling and we don't travel 4 times a year...the plus of having a baby on the financial side is the cheque of $3k you recieve from the gvt, as well as large subsidies from medicare from obstetrican and medical expenses which really add up. We are also covered by HBF and pay $2k a year for the top cover, however all of the $10k it costs to have a baby delivered was completely covered and clay was completely free to stay with me at hospital for the 4 days after birth. It does seem like you are spending a lot but, you can also get really smart and just go to Kidswear direct - wholesale shop eg. brand items and other clothes are mostly below $10...and on sale (if you sign up as a member, you can get items anywhere from $1-$10) and other items above $10 are heavily reduced.

As a high income earner and thinking of having a tribe (!!!), my strategy is a little different...I need quality clothes that last at least five years of washing the clothes every day. I still try and buy on sale.

Before I left ineedhits we canvassed five financial advisors/planners and picked one that was very family focused (he has 4 children) and could set up a family plan, as our personal life only existed of socialising, so a proper plan of investments and spending needed to be put in place....one of the things that came out of it was investing in long term 10year bonds, pay the 30% business tax, however after ten years you don't pay the top up tax (approx. 18% further tax). this is designed to pay for schooling which for each child can cost (over 13 years) $250k in todays money! :( So we all need to be savings and investing wisely.

I think the more the mother is involved in the high level planning, the more she is likely to be a smart buyer and think about finances as much as possible... rach

Babies grow so quickly it's not funny (or is it?) :)

When we were in the US recently we went to the factory outlets and bought a heap clothing for Codi at very cheap prices. We were getting Nautica tshitrs and shorts for just $2 each. Jackets that normally sell for $50 plus, we were getting for $20... etc

We ended up buying clothing that fitted him then (12 mths old), and purchased for in advance also... 2 yrs and 3 yrs. We now have a great selection of clothes for him as he continues to grow :)

Note: We also had to buy a new VERY big suitcase just to bring all the clothing back home! :)

Hi Matt - links for blogs/comments are on the development list :)