Very true about the good and inexpensive baby clothes to be found in secondhand stores. It is probably because of an abundance of gift clothing for a new baby that either didn't fit and were outgrown before they could be used.

One important thing is to do your homework when it comes to buying the equipment you need for the baby. Be very cautious about the bed and mattress. In the last years safety has been a strong issue in that industry, but there are still a lot of the older beds and mattresses out there. They usually end up in garage sales and as handed down gifts. Be aware: Some of those old beds are poorly designed and are potential killers. The spacing of the railings seem to be the main problem, and ill fitting mattresses are a danger. I'm told that if you can slip a coke can (held upright) between those slats, then the railing slats are too far apart.

Really do your homework about car seats. Do NOT buy a car seat with a bar that drops down in front of the baby. Just think of the child hitting that bar in a fast stop. My daughter tells me that she had heard of instances where the bar split from the force and then snapped back catching part of the baby. (I cannot confirm this) You are just better off using recommended five-point seat belt system in the child's car seat. Also, BTW, you will need to start out with one type of car seat for infants and then go to another type as the child grows. More research, more $$$.

Another note on that: be careful about approved older/used car seats. The straps become fatigued with use. Like survival equipment, there is a lot to learn about safe equipment for the baby.

Oh...and... congratulations!