Friday Finance: Baby On The Way? Lots of Stuff to Buy? Don't let your new arrival break the bank. Here are four great tips to shopping and spending wisely.

Baby On The Way? Don't Break the Bank.

Here are four tips to shopping and spending wisely for a new baby.

By Arlice Nichole  

The fun soon begins after finding out you have a little bun in the oven. Even before knowing if you're having a boy or a girl, you might start thinking of all the things you will need, what the baby will need and the kind of nursery you'd like to create. Getting ready for baby can get expensive, especially when you start adding up the big ticket essentials.  When you have to spend big in an economy like this, you want to make sure you're getting the most out of your investments while spending as little as you can without sacrificing quality or safety. Here a few tips to help you save money and make informed choices.

The customer is always right. While making a long list of all things baby will need, perhaps even circling in pink or baby blue those things you really want, be sure to check the website for any customer reviews and complaints to help you make informed, smart buys.

Consult club mom! Tap into the many online mommy networks to consult with moms and moms-to-be about the products you're interested in. You'll come across the moms who've been there and bought that, and will know a bit more about your brands you're unsure of.

Safety first. On the bigger, more expensive items like cribs and car seats, be sure to always fill out and send in your registration cards so you'll receive timely recall info should there be any. You can also check here at The Mocha Manual often for recall alerts.

Nothing like a touch and feel test. There are the benefits to shopping online. It saves you time, money, gas and it's easy to comparison shop. But nothing beats a touch and feel test. So, it will be worth it to see if a local store has what you're looking for so you can get a real close up. And if the online price is better, skip the check out line and go home and order it!