Mum saves £26k buying everything second hand for her kids - even their nappies

23 October 2023 , 21:15

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Richard and Helen at their eldest son Isaac's first birthday (Image: Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

A thrifty mum claims to have saved around £26,000 by only buying second-hand items for her children.

Helen Llyford-Smith says she has spent a total of just £4,000 on everything for her three kids, from furniture to reusable cloth nappies. The 33-year-old spend time searching resell sites such as Vinted as well as hunting through car boot sales to find the bargains.

When she was pregnant with her first child Isaac - now two - in August, 2021 she sourced more than 90% of his items second-hand. She then continued to hunt for bargains when she and fiance, Richard Smith, 45, a carpenter, welcomed six-week-old twins, Evelyn and Matilda, on August 9 this year, reports Manchester Evening News.

Mum saves £26k buying everything second hand for her kids - even their nappies qhiqquidttiqkrinv

The savvy couple with their twins Evelyn and Matilda (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

Among her favourite finds are a wicker changing mat for £10, a bookshelf for £25, a set of wooden toys for £2 and a free cot from a local car boot in Devon. It doesn't just stop with the kids' items though as she also buys most of her and Richard's clothes secondhand too.

Helen, a circus performer turned writer, from Barnstaple, Devon, said: "I've always loved second-hand, and I knew that wouldn't change when I became a mum. I read somewhere that the average price of clothing and furniture for a newborn was around £10,000 which is crazy. I scoured Facebook Marketplace and boot sales to find everything for the kids.

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Mum saves £26k buying everything second hand for her kids - even their nappies

Wicker changing mat and clothes bought for £10 in a bundle at a boot sale (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

Vintage dresser that Helen picked up from Facebook marketplace for £20 (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

"Some people may say it's unhygienic but it's so outdated as much of what people are getting rid of is basically brand-new. Babies grow so quickly, they're only in outfits a couple of times before it's time to size up. It's good for the environment and the bank account, so what's not to love? And with the cost-of-living being what it is, I'm all about making every pound stretch."

Growing up, Helen spent most of her weekends going to car boot sales with her mum, Sara Lyford-Smith, 61, in Reading, Berkshire. Her flair for bargain hunting continued as an adult and she introduced Richard to her thrifty way of life when they met in September 2018.

Helen with her twins not long after they were born (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

Helen and Richard in the van they lived in while travelling around Portugal between 2019 and 2022 (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

"I've always been a bargain hunter - it's how I've been brought up and I find it a fun side-project," Helen said. "When Richard and I met he was a typical bloke who would just buy new for ease - but I soon changed that.

"All the furniture in our house is second-hand - his beloved surfboard is even second-hand - costing £300. These days Richard gets just as excited as me." While she was pregnant with Isaac, Helen sourced a cot for £20, as well as a Moses' basket and a chest of drawers for free and a changing unit that only cost £10 - all by utilising Facebook groups where members post things they're looking to quickly flog, as well as FreeCycle and car boot sales.

Helen looking glam in her former job as a circus performance (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

Helen with her son Isaac (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

It didn't stop at furniture, as Helen found baby clothes and even cloth nappies on second-hand sites that were in good condition, if not new. The money-savvy mum is a magpie for clothing bundles while in charity shops and car boots that have seen her bag 10 babygrows for £10 and a handful of newborn outfits for £15.

Helen has even managed to bag some premium items like pre-loved Joules baby clothes like tops, babygrows and even hats costing £10 in car boot bundles and Jellycat stuffed animals like bunnies costing £5 each, which usually retail at £23.

Tidy Book bookshelf worth £140 that Helen snapped up at the bargain price of £25 (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

Helen's plush Habitat couch costing £300 and vintage mid-century coffee table (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

When the couple welcomed their twin girls on August 9, Helen turned to her trusty skills and recycled Issac's items - using the cot, pram, linens and baby carriers again with their daughters. She said: "With the cost-of-living being through the roof, second-hand shopping is really having its moment and I'm glad.

"Having three kids - especially twins - isn't cheap with all the outfits, toys and furniture but it's definitely doable. We were able to use everything of Isacc's for the twins too, we only had to get another cot -which was free- and a double stroller costing £250. If I have a spare moment in between tasks or after I've put the tribe to bed, I'll have a power hour on Vinted or Facebook Marketplace."

Helen said she keeps up to date with any upcoming car boot sales (Helen Lyford-Smith / SWNS)

The former circus dancer also estimates she's saved over £10,000 on furnishing in her house with bargains such as a plush Habitat sofa for £300, a chic dresser for £20 from Facebook Marketplace, a bespoke mirror for £10 from a local boutique. The only things Helen won't buy second-hand are mattresses and child's car seats, which she and Richard will opt to buy brand new.

Helen said: "I always keep up to date with upcoming car boot sales too as I find them even cheaper than the sites. I want to show my children the value of money and that nice things don't have to always be brand new."