Anticipating the birth of your first baby is so exciting. But perhaps less exciting is anticipating the cost of readying his or her nursery with the big-ticket items you'll need, such as a crib, changing table, rocking chair and dresser.

Don't panic. It may be easier than you think to save for Baby's furniture, and once you're ready to purchase, think discount and second-hand, if not free. You can apply the same – though slightly altered – adage that you apply to buying maternity clothes to outfitting your baby's room: Beg and borrow (but don't steal!).

The dream nursery is a misnomer and more for the parents than the baby, says Christine K. Walker, author of The Smart Mom's Guide to Staying Home: 65 Simple Ways to Thrive, Not Deprive, on One Income (Trafford Publishing, 2004) and mother of three young children. "All the baby needs is a comfortable, warm place to sleep," says Walker, who borrowed a friend's crib for her second child. "I think it's important to separate the essential from the frivolous. That is a really good guide. Then you can put money into items you feel you really need."

Walker says expectant parents' greatest initial asset is time. She recommends shopping for deals early in the pregnancy to avoid last-minute purchases made under due date pressure. All the while, keep this in mind: "There's an incredible secondary market," she says.

Browse church rummage sales, garage sales, resale and consignment shops, especially in more affluent areas, Walker says. Check out your local paper's classified ads, too.

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