It’s been a while since I had a giveaway so for this week’s contest, I’m going to give away an assortment of Baby Gund rattles and teethers. To enter, simply post a comment on how the economy is affecting your spending on baby gear and accessories.
The contest ends on Friday, Aug 22 and the winner will be announced on Monday, Aug 25.
I am still spending money on baby gear and accessories for my daughter who just turned 1 last week. I can’t help it. I have cut back on other things in order to do so. I have stopped impulsively buying magazines at the store and try to save money on gas by grouping errands together. I spend more time searching for deals and discounts on baby gear/accessories than ever before.
laylarenee[at]cfl.rr.com
The economy is definitely hitting us hard in our baby gear purchases…we are expecting our second child and there will be a 21 mo age gap. My husband is trying to convince me that a double stroller isnt necessary. He is not wanting us to add to our already large collection of strollers. I am having to compromise in other areas (like limiting my driving in my diesel guzzling Excursion) in order to continue buying organic food and growing clothing sizes for the little one.
I have turned into a bargain hunting maniac. I think I spent half the afternoon a while back searching for a sale or clearance on Robeez Tredz for the little guy (which I did indeed find, hurray!). Or I belong to a huge online mommy forum where I trade or buy used but good condition gear for Taylor. With the prices of everything raising I have to figure out ways to get things purchased as cheaply and as well as I can.
Thankfully my daughter just turned one and she received a lot of clothing and toys. I am doing a lot of shopping online looking for bargains, using E-bates, and using coupons for in-store shopping. I like shopping online, especially with places that offer free shipping so that I can save on gas. I evaluate if I really need an item before I purchase it. I also make a lot of my daughter’s food, instead of buying jarred baby foods, so it save some money.
Unfortunately, you still have to buy diapers and food! If I thought I could stomach the whole cloth diaper thing and reuse them, maybe I would do that. I have been making my own baby food instead of paying for the jars! We like to go on family bike rides from our house instead of driving to the canyon or something. Every little thing can help!
I have a few girlfriends that have had children in the past year or so. With the little ones (from 3 months to 1 1/2 years) getting tired of the same old toys and clothes. We have a bi-weekly “mommy meeting” and we rotate our clothes and toys so it’s like getting new outfits and toys every other week. You never get bored with the clothes you put on your kids and they always have something new to play with. Every other month we all pitch in and by four $20 toys (that comes out to $10 a mom) so we always have something that is age appropriate for the kids. We save, and equally store, the toys we don’t use and donate some of the ones we find the kids don’t play with. As for the clothes, even the grandma’s think it’s a great idea! When we have parties, the grandparents find it exciting to see others using the clothes they so lovingly purchased. With the economy as it is, this has been a HUGE pocketbook saver.
definitely an impact - not going out to buy things that I just want or seem like they would be a “luxury” item, but sticking to things that we need (like the next size car seat for our almost-one-year-old)
I have to be super thrifty. My daughter is almost one, and we have gorgeous hand-me-downs for years to come. I make my own food and most of her toys. Her umbrella stroller broke so we just do without. So yes..my baby gear shopping is a fraction of what it once was.