Smart Money Secrets

From diapers and weaning food to enrichment classes and trips to the doctor, every step of your baby’s growth is loaded with expenses.

For some parents, this means getting creative with the family budget to find ways to minimise unnecessary spending, while leaving enough for the essentials.

Others, like stay-at-home mum Cynthia Loh, 34, makes it a habit to sell the clothes and other essentials that her two-year-old son, Jeremy Lee, has outgrown.

“It helps me clear some space at home, and generate extra cash, too,” says Cynthia, who posts her used baby goods on eBay and parenting forums. She also buys second-hand learning toys – and, yes, sells them when Jeremy loses interest.

“I’d like to learn how I can fetch a better price for my items in the resale market, though.”

Get experts’ tips from our money special in the November 2009 issue of Young Parents. Plus, we find out where parents save and splurge.