HERE are some great ideas to pay less and avoid the stress when you're bringing a new baby home.

Mumzbuzz is a Kingscliff group that works to unite Mums and bubs around the Tweed and director Vanessa Fairweather has some ingenious ideas to help set up your home on a budget.

"It is very exciting when bringing home your first baby, and yes we all tend to want the best of everything which can get quite costly," she said.

"Shop around, check out eBay and buy ahead when sales are on, and buy ahead while you are still working if you can.

"The more you can stock up for when you are on maternity leave the better."

Mrs Fairweather recommended buying second hand when possible to save a bundle.

"Often new bubs get given so many newborn clothes that they wear only a handful of times because they grow so fast," she said.

"So you are practically buying brand new items for less than half the price."

"Local mums are a great source when looking for second hand items, kids grow out of clothes and toys so quickly in the first years and we all need to make space in our homes!

Mrs Fairweather recommended checking second hand shops such as The Salvation Army for hidden gems that could be purchased for a fraction of their retail price.

"Looking second hand is a great idea," she said.

"Mumzbuzz is planning a pre-loved market day for local mums soon so this is a great chance to grab some pre-loved items in good condition."

She also said that other Mums often lend or sell unused items from when they brought their own little bundles of joy home.

"Mums are always loaning things to one another and sharing items," she said.

"We have some wonderful local mothers groups that are run informally through mothers or formally through the community centres and libraries."

So get out there and have a look around, the hunt for home essentials for your nursery is all part of the fun.

Top tips:

• Buy second hand to save a bundle.
• Online shop for bargain buys.
• Check with friends or local Mum's groups for spare items.
• Don't buy piles of clothes that will soon be unusable.
• Stock up while on maternity leave.