Firstly Congratulations! This may be a long post because I have so many cost savings which worked well for us. We have 2 girls.
Op shops are great for smaller things like clothing and toys - wash everything and sanitise obviously!! Ask the salespeople to call you if a pram/cot etc comes in. Start calling in weekly so they know you.
Gumtree, ebay. Start researching and know the shop prices of everything, that way you will know if you have a good deal. Half price is reasonable for a pram and even less for smaller items. But test them out before you pay - prams need good brakes and good suspension. Cots need to be Aust Standard.
Don't be fooled by the baby shops and big brands, the best stroller I ever had was an old Babylove 3 wheeler, dirt cheap. I could turn it with 1 finger and it was great for walking.
Have a baby shower - Family and friends will want to buy presents for you and the baby. Make up a list and tell people what you really need. That way you don't get 100 stuffed toys but a good selection of clothes, singlets, bibs, socks, wraps etc. Also tell people you want larger sizes - 00 and 0 so that you will have a range of sizes and clothes ready for when you need them. Otherwise you will get a million 000s and only use them for a few weeks
You will need to get out of the house everyday or you will go a little stir crazy. Pick the best time for baby and go walking. It is the cheapest exercise, family outing, everything and babies love it. Stay away from the shopping centres (you'll only spend money) and get to the parks.
Like the previous poster says, babies don't need much. Resist the desire to buy stuff they will only need for a few months like carriers, special clothing etc unless it's cheap. They grow so quickly you will find it's just not worth it.
Cooking nutritious meals can often be hard because the evening is taken up with baby. Even if they're a great sleeper and don't cry a lot you will find you are busy doing a million things or just spending time watching them
The best investment we made was to buy a large freezer and before the baby came I stocked it full of home made meals, pasta sauces, all our favourites, soups etc.. That way when we were exhausted at night it was as easy as nuking something and cooking some rice or pasta to go with it. Or soup and toast, even easier! Obviously I don't know what you like to eat but you get the idea
And last of all, sorry to bore you with my ranting, let people help you!!!! People actually want to help and it's very tempting to do it all yourself but don't! I can't stress this enough. People will want to visit BUT make sure they come when it suits you and ask them to bring something - e.g.
"Why don't you come at x o'clock? Baby willl be awake and you can see him/her. Would you mind bringing some morning/afternoon tea also so we can sit down and have a good chat?"
And when parents/friends ask is there anything you need? Tell them...I really need to get to the hairdresser/dentist/doctor/etc. would you mind coming and looking after baby for me? Or I could do with a meal or two if you wouldn't mind? Whatever you think that person would be best at
There, I'm done. Enjoy the time left, go out, have fun and enjoy the excitement and expectation of baby's arrival. I wish you all the best.
Jus