Getting Disposable Diapers Cheaply

[pensmama87]

For those of you who use disposable diapers, how do you keep the costs down?

Things are going rough around here and our washer is not at peak performance right now, so I’m considering selling off our stash of cloth diapers and accessories and switching to disposables. Frankly, it would be a lot easier (and cut our laundry in half). I’ve managed to benefit before from the occasional sales where diapers can be had for 3 cents each (instead of the retail 20-25 cents each or even more depending on brand), but those are rare occurrences. I can coupon the heck out of a lot of things, but I’m not there with diapers (up until now I’ve bought one box every few months for my second son, who wears one diaper overnight).

I have tried store brands before but haven’t really liked them (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart.)

Any suggestions?

 

[UbiCaritas]

For those of you who use disposable diapers, how do you keep the costs down?

Things are going rough around here and our washer is not at peak performance right now, so I’m considering selling off our stash of cloth diapers and accessories and switching to disposables. Frankly, it would be a lot easier (and cut our laundry in half). I’ve managed to benefit before from the occasional sales where diapers can be had for 3 cents each (instead of the retail 20-25 cents each or even more depending on brand), but those are rare occurrences. I can coupon the heck out of a lot of things, but I’m not there with diapers (up until now I’ve bought one box every few months for my second son, who wears one diaper overnight).

I have tried store brands before but haven’t really liked them (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart.)

Any suggestions?

A friend who uses disposables usually buys them at Target. Check out their sales! She uses name-brand diapers. Every so often, they offer a deal where you get back about 1/3-1/2 of what you spend on diapers in the form of a gift card. IIRC, just before her last kid she spent $200 to stock up, but got $75 back in Target gift cards.

Also, Babies R Us often puts out coupons for the mega-boxes where you get either $5-$10 off per box or a free economy-sized box of wipes. If you aren’t on their mailing list, sign up!

 

[midori]

I used cloth during the day and disposables at night, after a certain point. I tried buying store brand disposables at the grocery store and at the Dollar Store. The quality control was pretty poor— they leaked, the tabs tore off frequently, etc. So I learned that I preferred the Parent’s Choice at WalMart, or the Pampers or Huggies from the CVS or Walgreens. When we were in an area that had an HEB, I think the Hill Country brand did fine, but that’s regional. I think the Luvs always had poor performance whenever I tried them.

So-- yeah. I always paid more attention to performance more than cost, because when it’s a matter of wasting $8 on something that’s not acceptable, or spending $2 more to get something that does work— you have to watch out for that false economy.

 

[lax16]

For those of you who use disposable diapers, how do you keep the costs down?

Things are going rough around here and our washer is not at peak performance right now, so I’m considering selling off our stash of cloth diapers and accessories and switching to disposables. Frankly, it would be a lot easier (and cut our laundry in half). I’ve managed to benefit before from the occasional sales where diapers can be had for 3 cents each (instead of the retail 20-25 cents each or even more depending on brand), but those are rare occurrences. I can coupon the heck out of a lot of things, but I’m not there with diapers (up until now I’ve bought one box every few months for my second son, who wears one diaper overnight).

I have tried store brands before but haven’t really liked them (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart.)

Any suggestions?

I started with cloth with my oldest but went to disposable for the other three.

Do you prefer cloth over disposable?

 

[pensmama87]

I started with cloth with my oldest but went to disposable for the other three.

Do you prefer cloth over disposable?

I prefer cloth - but only because it’s cheaper. If I can do it cheap enough I will switch to disposables this time.

Like midori I have pretty much settled into a cloth during the day, disposables at night routine. Even high-end cloth diapers have not worked for us at nighttime (and they’re much harder to keep clean). But that’s so few disposables that I don’t really get to take advantage of sales, etc. (especially when baby is young enough that you can’t guarantee sizing in a few months).

Cloth is nice for a lot of reasons, but I’d give it up before other cost saving things we do around the house because it’s much more labor intensive, especially since our washer is getting temperamental.

 

[bitterhope]

Sometimes you can find diapers on bookoo, Craigslist and other similar sites. My neighbor buys her diapers like that and she says she saves a ton by doing that. Apparently a lot of people sell the leftovers of each size as their babies outgrow them. I used cloth for mine but occasionally would buy them for trips. I just got the store brand. There is a bag at our local grocery that sells them for $3.50 for a bag of 24-35 depending on size needed for baby. They worked for the times I got them but not sure about overnights.

 

[lax16]

I prefer cloth - but only because it’s cheaper. If I can do it cheap enough I will switch to disposables this time.

Like midori I have pretty much settled into a cloth during the day, disposables at night routine. Even high-end cloth diapers have not worked for us at nighttime (and they’re much harder to keep clean). But that’s so few disposables that I don’t really get to take advantage of sales, etc. (especially when baby is young enough that you can’t guarantee sizing in a few months).

Cloth is nice for a lot of reasons, but I’d give it up before other cost saving things we do around the house because it’s much more labor intensive, especially since our washer is getting temperamental.

I used a diaper service so I don’t think I saved any money. I can’t remember prices on diapers - it’s been a while!

Maybe this can be a help to you:

momtricks.com/diapers/

 

[Kelfa28]

For those of you who use disposable diapers, how do you keep the costs down?

Things are going rough around here and our washer is not at peak performance right now, so I’m considering selling off our stash of cloth diapers and accessories and switching to disposables. Frankly, it would be a lot easier (and cut our laundry in half). I’ve managed to benefit before from the occasional sales where diapers can be had for 3 cents each (instead of the retail 20-25 cents each or even more depending on brand), but those are rare occurrences. I can coupon the heck out of a lot of things, but I’m not there with diapers (up until now I’ve bought one box every few months for my second son, who wears one diaper overnight).

I have tried store brands before but haven’t really liked them (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart.)

Any suggestions?

Calling it quits?

Oh, I’ve been there. We called it quits when I was halfway through pregnancy number 3.

Target does deals with diapers.

I’m not sure how it works, exactly, because I don’t frequent Target too much.

I did go there and bought my usual diaper haul and they gave me a $10 Target card that definitely got used.

Have you looked around online? Looked for diaper exchanges? Coupons? Monthly subscriptions where they just send you diapers? You might be able to find a generic that is cheaper but not local and works for you.

Something else to think about is still doing cloth but having a laundry service pick them up and wash them for you.

 

[Kelfa28]

Sometimes you can find diapers on bookoo, Craigslist and other similar sites. My neighbor buys her diapers like that and she says she saves a ton by doing that. Apparently a lot of people sell the leftovers of each size as their babies outgrow them. I used cloth for mine but occasionally would buy them for trips. I just got the store brand. There is a bag at our local grocery that sells them for $3.50 for a bag of 24-35 depending on size needed for baby. They worked for the times I got them but not sure about overnights.

This is a good suggestion.

Ebay or Amazon.

 

[maryjk]

This is a good suggestion.

Ebay or Amazon.

We get them from Amazon.

13 cents a diaper.

We also will use coupons, if it brings the price down enough.

We’ve tried generic brands and they tend to leak, even during the day.

 

[jlc2k2]

I’ve had good luck with the Target diapers so far. So I use their brand and coupons (when I have them) and often 5% off through the Cartwheel app and 5% off through the RedCard. If we had more storage space, I would stock up when they do their buy 2 boxes get a $5/$10 gift card deals (which are fairly regular). I think they offer that deal on name brands too.

 

[lax16]

I’ve had good luck with the Target diapers so far. So I use their brand and coupons (when I have them) and often 5% off through the Cartwheel app and 5% off through the RedCard. If we had more storage space, I would stock up when they do their buy 2 boxes get a $5/$10 gift card deals (which are fairly regular). I think they offer that deal on name brands too.

Walmart does price matching as well.

 

[pensmama87]

I should probably build a spreadsheet just for diaper unit pricing.

I’ve seen the Target deals in the ads. Some weeks are definitely better than others. For buying in-store they are probably my best bet when you throw in coupons and stacking with Cartwheel etc (a bit of work, but it’s definitely paid off for me on other items).

As I’ve gotten more frugal I just don’t like shopping at Wal-Mart anymore. It’s good if I need a lot of different kinds of things and have a narrow window to get them, but their pricing isn’t as competitive as they lead you to believe. And price-matching is a pain, at least in my experience.

Laundry services around here cost at least as much as disposables if not more, otherwise that’d be a great option.

I think what I need to do is figure out online. If I had Amazon Prime, I think that would really be great because when diapers hit a good price there, the couponing blogs I follow go absolutely insane. But I don’t use Amazon a ton and would need to crunch if I would save at least the cost of the Prime membership by buying diapers on it.

 

[Xantippe]

For those of you who use disposable diapers, how do you keep the costs down?

Things are going rough around here and our washer is not at peak performance right now, so I’m considering selling off our stash of cloth diapers and accessories and switching to disposables. Frankly, it would be a lot easier (and cut our laundry in half). I’ve managed to benefit before from the occasional sales where diapers can be had for 3 cents each (instead of the retail 20-25 cents each or even more depending on brand), but those are rare occurrences. I can coupon the heck out of a lot of things, but I’m not there with diapers (up until now I’ve bought one box every few months for my second son, who wears one diaper overnight).

I have tried store brands before but haven’t really liked them (CVS, Target, Wal-Mart.)

Any suggestions?

Apologies for not having read the thread yet.

Purely economically, I think you should consider replacing the washer soonish. We spend easily about $70 a month on disposable diapers and wipes for one 3-year-old, so if you have two in diapers, a new washer would pay for itself within just a few months.

However, you may be feeling a little burnt out from all the cloth-diapering. We don’t really do disposable diapers on the cheap, but we have a formula that works for us of store brand diaper for low-need times (basic daytime use) and expensive pull up for naps, bedtime and preschool. I’m talking REALLY expensive pull ups–we get the top shelf size 4-8 kind that costs 57 cents each because we’ve had some very unpleasant leaks and blow-outs with even just normal brand name pull ups after naps or a long night. As the 3-year-old potty trains, we’ll probably buy less and less of the cheap diapers and eventually have that $70 a month to blow on other things.

Good luck!

 

[pensmama87]

Apologies for not having read the thread yet.

Purely economically, I think you should consider replacing the washer soonish. We spend easily about $70 a month on disposable diapers and wipes for one 3-year-old, so if you have two in diapers, a new washer would pay for itself within just a few months.

However, you may be feeling a little burnt out from all the cloth-diapering. We don’t really do disposable diapers on the cheap, but we have a formula that works for us of store brand diaper for low-need times (basic daytime use) and expensive pull up for naps, bedtime and preschool. I’m talking REALLY expensive pull ups–we get the top shelf size 4-8 kind that costs 57 cents each because we’ve had some very unpleasant leaks and blow-outs with even just normal brand name pull ups after naps or a long night. As the 3-year-old potty trains, we’ll probably buy less and less of the cheap diapers and eventually have that $70 a month to blow on other things.

Good luck!

I think I can actually do the washer stuff myself, it’s just not putting so much stress on it until I can get to doing it. It’s a high-end washer and I am rather attached to it - I just haven’t been as nice to it as it deserves for how hard it works. It needs a plastic part inside the agitator replaced and a good cleaning - and I *think *that’s all.

Our second is only using one diaper a day at the moment so I don’t really count him as “in diapers” since I can sometimes use one multiple days. I am actually thinking I want to do the pull-ups for him for that reason - dealing with the tabs can mean it wears out faster than if it gets wet.

A few weeks ago I did a deal on ePantry (which is kind of like Amazon subscribe and save) where I got two things of (fancy fancy sensitive) wipes and five jumbo packs of (fancy fancy chlorine-free) diapers for $30. It was an introductory offer and the price goes up to $60 if I continue the subscription. Which is still not bad, especially for the kind of diaper, and the elimination of the hassle of buying them, but you know me - I’m obviously a little bit willing to deal with hassle for a good price and while I like “green” I’m not really a hippie.

I am feeling very burnt out at the moment, yeah.

 

[Xantippe]

I think I can actually do the washer stuff myself, it’s just not putting so much stress on it until I can get to doing it. It’s a high-end washer and I am rather attached to it - I just haven’t been as nice to it as it deserves for how hard it works. It needs a plastic part inside the agitator replaced and a good cleaning - and I *think *that’s all.

Our second is only using one diaper a day at the moment so I don’t really count him as “in diapers” since I can sometimes use one multiple days. I am actually thinking I want to do the pull-ups for him for that reason - dealing with the tabs can mean it wears out faster than if it gets wet.

A few weeks ago I did a deal on ePantry (which is kind of like Amazon subscribe and save) where I got two things of (fancy fancy sensitive) wipes and five jumbo packs of (fancy fancy chlorine-free) diapers for $30. It was an introductory offer and the price goes up to $60 if I continue the subscription. Which is still not bad, especially for the kind of diaper, and the elimination of the hassle of buying them, but you know me - I’m obviously a little bit willing to deal with hassle for a good price and while I like “green” I’m not really a hippie.

I am feeling very burnt out at the moment, yeah.

That would be fabulous if the washer just needs a little TLC.

The pull ups do have a lot more longevity than traditional diapers.

With regard to burn out, don’t forget that your youngest will be less and less frequently “productive” as time goes by.

 

[UbiCaritas]

I should probably build a spreadsheet just for diaper unit pricing.

I’ve seen the Target deals in the ads. Some weeks are definitely better than others. For buying in-store they are probably my best bet when you throw in coupons and stacking with Cartwheel etc (a bit of work, but it’s definitely paid off for me on other items).

As I’ve gotten more frugal I just don’t like shopping at Wal-Mart anymore. It’s good if I need a lot of different kinds of things and have a narrow window to get them, but their pricing isn’t as competitive as they lead you to believe. And price-matching is a pain, at least in my experience.

Laundry services around here cost at least as much as disposables if not more, otherwise that’d be a great option.

I think what I need to do is figure out online. If I had Amazon Prime, I think that would really be great because when diapers hit a good price there, the couponing blogs I follow go absolutely insane. But I don’t use Amazon a ton and would need to crunch if I would save at least the cost of the Prime membership by buying diapers on it.

I wonder: if you used Prime and the associated savings for more than just diapers, would it come out at least even, or close enough to make it worth it? I’m thinking of staple dry goods, any paper goods you might use (I know you don’t use many, but I imagine you use some, at least), supplies for making laundry detergent, and so on?

 

[pensmama87]

I wonder: if you used Prime and the associated savings for more than just diapers, would it come out at least even, or close enough to make it worth it? I’m thinking of staple dry goods, any paper goods you might use (I know you don’t use many, but I imagine you use some, at least), supplies for making laundry detergent, and so on?

Oooo, there’s a thought.

(I did give up on the family cloth, haha. That was the first to go. )

 

[Xantippe]

Oooo, there’s a thought.

(I did give up on the family cloth, haha. That was the first to go. )

Funny!

Welcome to the Dark Side–we have toilet paper and disposable diapers!

 

[Xantippe]

Did you ever fix up that van door, by the way?