Joel writes: "I'd love some ideas on how to save money on disposable diapers."

It's true that disposable diapers can take a big bite out of the budget. You can expect to spend $1,500 to $2,000 on disposables by the time your baby is out of them! But there are ways to spend less. Buying the "Mega" versus "Jumbo"-size package, for example, could save you up to 10 cents per diaper. It adds up! You'll save even more by buying several packages when the "Megas" go on sale. You can also save a bundle by buying store-brand diapers in economy-size boxes, which come in counts of 68 to 144. Our tests show that some store brands rate Very Good for leakage prevention, which is a factor that sets diaper brands apart.

Finally, don't be too quick to jump to the next size diaper. Selecting the smallest diaper your baby can comfortably wear will save you money in the long run because a larger diaper costs more (and may allow leaks if it is too large). Manufacturers usually charge the same amount per package regardless of the actual size of the diapers, but they'll put progressively fewer diapers in the package as the size gets larger. See our latest disposable diaper Ratings (available to subscribers) for more information.

Also, see our reports on disposable diapers and cloth diapers for more information, as well as our reports on diaper pails and diaper bags.