How to save money when buying items for babies and children

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - It's not easy swinging all the costs that come with kids, That's why busy working mom Ashley Shane Pierce wanted to write a book to help. 

In "Things They Failed to Tell You During Pregnancy", Pierce says parents should know what to buy secondhand.

She finds brand-new clothes for a fraction of the store price at her local thrift shop.

"No one knows it's from a thrift store - these pants were like a dollar," she pointed out. "I can get two big bags for $15 to $30." 

Pierce showed off her finds, first pulling out a cartoon theme T-shirt.

"He loves Disney. Normally they're $22. I got it for 95 cents."

Pierce also scored a Batman DC comic tee for 95 cents.

"Not one stain. Not one hole. Price on Amazon is $15.50," she said. "I got it at my thrift store for 95 cents. If I went on the 50% off sale day it would have been 49 cents!"

Pierce even found a back up for her son's favorite blankie.

 "You can't tell the difference, he can't tell the difference. This one is more worn so I know he got it at my baby shower so I know it's from Target but this one is $2 from the thrift sotre compared to fourteen."

Next, she said you can save big by recycling items in small groups, with just a few parents who have kids slightly older or younger than yours.

"We call it the mommy recycle club whether it's books -- I didn't buy any of those," she said while pointing to a shelf loaded with children's books.

Pierce said parents can watch for big ticket sales at their favorite stores. 

"Big ticket items like a car seat, you don't skimp on safety -- and I went to like Babies R Us and I see 50 seats. It's overwhelming," she said. "So I did my research and Target does these great baby sales at the end of January and the end of July."

And social media is a great place to search for freebies and cheap buys.

"Pack and Plays run $120 easily," she siad. "I put a thing on Facebook Swap and Shop: does anyone want to sell me a gender neutral pack and play? $20!"

Because raising a baby doesn't have to break your budget.