Week 10: March 4th-10th, 2007
New Habit: Outfitting Baby for Less
Soft and fuzzy like apricots, sweet as sun-ripened strawberries—can you tell I'm
hungry? But seriously, there is nothing as adorable as a newborn baby. They turn a
couple into a family and bring a sticky charm to any home. Unfortunately, they also bring
a long shopping list.
Diapers. Bottles. Pacifiers. Babies need so many things, and that’s not even counting
the large purchases, like cribs and strollers. There’s no doubt they are expensive little
gremlins, but is it possible that we make them cost more than they need to?
I’m not innocent in this matter. I love Gymboree and Hanna Andersson as much as the
next mommy. And like most mommies, I want my kids to have the softest cotton, the
smoothest flat-lock seams, and adorable outfits that draw the cooing admiration of
every stranger who passes. That doesn’t mean I want to end up rocking my infant to
sleep in the poorhouse.
Why do we spend too much? First, we get suckered into sherbet-toned boutiques
where teams of high-priced consultants have spent decades figuring out what
combination of atmosphere and clever display will shift our nesting instinct into
overdrive. Then, we turn to bright ads instead of millennia of human experience when
deciding what gear is necessary. In the end, most new mommies end up with more
bibs, blankies, and binkies than any infant could possibly need, with scary price tags
and a downright terrifying credit card bill to boot. Not exactly the ideal way to begin a
new life.
How can you avoid the fuzzy pastel spending treadmill? Before you set out on any
nursery shopping excursion, know exactly what you are looking for. In general, a
newborn will need a carseat, a place to sleep, a few receiving blankets, one or two
thicker blankets, spit rags, and practical clothing such as socks, beanies, onesies, and
sleepers. A stroller and a Snugli-type carrier may be necessary as well, depending on
your lifestyle. Most hospitals will provide a pacifier and a diaper bag. What about
swings and saucers and all of the other stuff? I’m not saying not to buy them, just not to
consider them necessary purchases.
Once you’ve made your list and checked it twice, you have to determine the venue.
Stores exist for every possible budget, from upscale boutiques to hole-in-the-wall thrift
shops, but you will often find yourself in the difficult situation of having to choose
between quality and price. Who wants to make a choice like that? We’d all carry five
figure debts on our Gymboree cards if those were the only options.
There is an alternative, or rather, two. Consider: every baby needs approximately the
same things for a similarly tiny amount of time. Parents are left with a garage full of
barely used stuff, and the most common ways to reclaim that space are to give the stuff
away or sell it. For this reason, I’ve found that the best sources for baby goods are
freecycle and yard sales, where you can find high quality layette at the lowest price. Too
good for used? Usually that means you have to be either too good for high quality
layette or too good for a balanced family budget. It’s your choice.
Sage mommy that I am, I began with free sources: freecycle, hand-me-downs, and a
clothing exchange at a local church. These provided several boxes of basic items like
onesies and receiving blankets, but many of the clothes were outdated and the gear
was used beyond usefulness. As my third trimester loomed near, I turned to yard sales.
With list in hand, I visited nine different garage sales over two Saturdays. The first
weekend was disappointingly nonproductive, but the second one yielded everything I
needed and then some. Here’s what I bought and what I could have paid:
“Travel system” (carseat/carrier with base and matching stroller): $60
Wal-Mart price: $130
Head support for carseat: 25 cents
Wal-Mart price: $12
Bassinet with cover and storage basket: $45
Wal-Mart price: $55
Two sets of bassinet sheets: Included with bassinet
Wal-Mart price: $10
Three thermal receiving blankets: one at 50 cents and two at 25 cents, or $1
Wal-Mart price: $10 for a three pack
Two name-brand blankets: 50 cents each, or $1
Wal-Mart price: $20 each, or $40
Seven like-new, matched, name-brand baby outfits in newborn and size 3 months: $32
Wal-Mart price for non-name-brand matched outfit: at least $15 each, or $105
Snugli-type front carrier: $2
Wal-Mart price: $15
In total, I spent $141.25 on the bare essentials for my soon-to-be newborn while I
would have spent $377 for similar and in most cases lesser quality items at the
cheapest discount store in town. I saved about $236 in two mornings—not a bad use of
time. What about gas, you ask? Of course I drove, but the fuel level needle didn’t move
perceptibly on either morning, so it was under $5 in total. As a bonus, I found a few cute
clothes for me to wear after baby is born and numerous small household items I've
been wanting.
How can you use garage sales to your best advantage? First, save yourself some fuel
by checking Friday’s newspaper for ads. If you don’t subscribe to the paper, save
yourself a quarter by checking its website. When scanning the ads, look for ones that
specifically mention baby items. Multi-family sales are also promising because they
offer the selection of several yard sales in one yard. Next, plan a logical route. Consider
neighborhoods carefully; more expensive neighborhoods will generally have nicer
merchandise at much higher prices while economically depressed areas will have
lower quality and cost. Whichever you prefer, make sure you have enough cash to
purchase everything on your list if you find it all at one place. This does happen. Also,
see if you can find a garage sale-ing buddy, preferably one who is willing to split the
cost of gas. If they have a truck or other large vehicle, you may want to offer to pay gas in
exchange for transporting your loot.
On the day of the sale, leave early and, if possible, leave your munchkins at home. Even
if you don’t have a nervous breakdown trying to keep them out of traffic, you’ll end up
spending more money and more time. Last, don’t be afraid to negotiate lower prices.
Most sellers expect it, and they wouldn’t be spending Saturday morning in their
driveway if they didn’t want to get rid of this stuff. As the day wears on, they will be more
and more willing to take whatever you are willing to pay.
As you can see, babies don’t have to be living, wailing drains on your family budget. In
my case, I outfitted my soon-to-be-born daughter in name-brand style for what most
families spend on a week’s worth of groceries. If you can’t afford this much, consider
spreading out purchases over a wider period or calling local churches, charities, and
pregnancy help centers. There is no need for any child to go without in a wealthy nation
such as ours.
Amount Saved: $236
Difficulty on Scale of 1-5: 1. Anyone can do this.
Time: About 4 hours
Check out the Frugal Habit of the Week Archives
New Habit: Outfitting Baby for Less
Soft and fuzzy like apricots, sweet as sun-ripened strawberries—can you tell I'm
hungry? But seriously, there is nothing as adorable as a newborn baby. They turn a
couple into a family and bring a sticky charm to any home. Unfortunately, they also bring
a long shopping list.
Diapers. Bottles. Pacifiers. Babies need so many things, and that’s not even counting
the large purchases, like cribs and strollers. There’s no doubt they are expensive little
gremlins, but is it possible that we make them cost more than they need to?
I’m not innocent in this matter. I love Gymboree and Hanna Andersson as much as the
next mommy. And like most mommies, I want my kids to have the softest cotton, the
smoothest flat-lock seams, and adorable outfits that draw the cooing admiration of
every stranger who passes. That doesn’t mean I want to end up rocking my infant to
sleep in the poorhouse.
Why do we spend too much? First, we get suckered into sherbet-toned boutiques
where teams of high-priced consultants have spent decades figuring out what
combination of atmosphere and clever display will shift our nesting instinct into
overdrive. Then, we turn to bright ads instead of millennia of human experience when
deciding what gear is necessary. In the end, most new mommies end up with more
bibs, blankies, and binkies than any infant could possibly need, with scary price tags
and a downright terrifying credit card bill to boot. Not exactly the ideal way to begin a
new life.
How can you avoid the fuzzy pastel spending treadmill? Before you set out on any
nursery shopping excursion, know exactly what you are looking for. In general, a
newborn will need a carseat, a place to sleep, a few receiving blankets, one or two
thicker blankets, spit rags, and practical clothing such as socks, beanies, onesies, and
sleepers. A stroller and a Snugli-type carrier may be necessary as well, depending on
your lifestyle. Most hospitals will provide a pacifier and a diaper bag. What about
swings and saucers and all of the other stuff? I’m not saying not to buy them, just not to
consider them necessary purchases.
Once you’ve made your list and checked it twice, you have to determine the venue.
Stores exist for every possible budget, from upscale boutiques to hole-in-the-wall thrift
shops, but you will often find yourself in the difficult situation of having to choose
between quality and price. Who wants to make a choice like that? We’d all carry five
figure debts on our Gymboree cards if those were the only options.
There is an alternative, or rather, two. Consider: every baby needs approximately the
same things for a similarly tiny amount of time. Parents are left with a garage full of
barely used stuff, and the most common ways to reclaim that space are to give the stuff
away or sell it. For this reason, I’ve found that the best sources for baby goods are
freecycle and yard sales, where you can find high quality layette at the lowest price. Too
good for used? Usually that means you have to be either too good for high quality
layette or too good for a balanced family budget. It’s your choice.
Sage mommy that I am, I began with free sources: freecycle, hand-me-downs, and a
clothing exchange at a local church. These provided several boxes of basic items like
onesies and receiving blankets, but many of the clothes were outdated and the gear
was used beyond usefulness. As my third trimester loomed near, I turned to yard sales.
With list in hand, I visited nine different garage sales over two Saturdays. The first
weekend was disappointingly nonproductive, but the second one yielded everything I
needed and then some. Here’s what I bought and what I could have paid:
“Travel system” (carseat/carrier with base and matching stroller): $60
Wal-Mart price: $130
Head support for carseat: 25 cents
Wal-Mart price: $12
Bassinet with cover and storage basket: $45
Wal-Mart price: $55
Two sets of bassinet sheets: Included with bassinet
Wal-Mart price: $10
Three thermal receiving blankets: one at 50 cents and two at 25 cents, or $1
Wal-Mart price: $10 for a three pack
Two name-brand blankets: 50 cents each, or $1
Wal-Mart price: $20 each, or $40
Seven like-new, matched, name-brand baby outfits in newborn and size 3 months: $32
Wal-Mart price for non-name-brand matched outfit: at least $15 each, or $105
Snugli-type front carrier: $2
Wal-Mart price: $15
In total, I spent $141.25 on the bare essentials for my soon-to-be newborn while I
would have spent $377 for similar and in most cases lesser quality items at the
cheapest discount store in town. I saved about $236 in two mornings—not a bad use of
time. What about gas, you ask? Of course I drove, but the fuel level needle didn’t move
perceptibly on either morning, so it was under $5 in total. As a bonus, I found a few cute
clothes for me to wear after baby is born and numerous small household items I've
been wanting.
How can you use garage sales to your best advantage? First, save yourself some fuel
by checking Friday’s newspaper for ads. If you don’t subscribe to the paper, save
yourself a quarter by checking its website. When scanning the ads, look for ones that
specifically mention baby items. Multi-family sales are also promising because they
offer the selection of several yard sales in one yard. Next, plan a logical route. Consider
neighborhoods carefully; more expensive neighborhoods will generally have nicer
merchandise at much higher prices while economically depressed areas will have
lower quality and cost. Whichever you prefer, make sure you have enough cash to
purchase everything on your list if you find it all at one place. This does happen. Also,
see if you can find a garage sale-ing buddy, preferably one who is willing to split the
cost of gas. If they have a truck or other large vehicle, you may want to offer to pay gas in
exchange for transporting your loot.
On the day of the sale, leave early and, if possible, leave your munchkins at home. Even
if you don’t have a nervous breakdown trying to keep them out of traffic, you’ll end up
spending more money and more time. Last, don’t be afraid to negotiate lower prices.
Most sellers expect it, and they wouldn’t be spending Saturday morning in their
driveway if they didn’t want to get rid of this stuff. As the day wears on, they will be more
and more willing to take whatever you are willing to pay.
As you can see, babies don’t have to be living, wailing drains on your family budget. In
my case, I outfitted my soon-to-be-born daughter in name-brand style for what most
families spend on a week’s worth of groceries. If you can’t afford this much, consider
spreading out purchases over a wider period or calling local churches, charities, and
pregnancy help centers. There is no need for any child to go without in a wealthy nation
such as ours.
Amount Saved: $236
Difficulty on Scale of 1-5: 1. Anyone can do this.
Time: About 4 hours
Check out the Frugal Habit of the Week Archives
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