Parents Getting Frugal
Are we finally about to see the end of the it’s-the-latest-most-expensive-therefore-gotta-have-it baby item competition? The New York Times had an article yesterday discussing the new frugality in the world of parenting. Garage sales, thrift stores, .99 stores, CraigsList, and hand-me-downs are now all the rage. It appears that the recession has caused many parents to wise up about the cost of baby things.
Some thrifty parents were watching costs even before the recession. Yes, it’s great that Bugaboos are now being re-gifted and resold to others, but some parents always knew that most any stroller will do when you need to get from point A to point B.
To show how out of control it was before the crash, read this excerpt from the article:
“Three years ago, in the heyday of the moment, someone would come into the shop and say, ‘I want the most expensive thing you have,’” said Ms. Mahar, a designer of educational toys and the owner of Kid O, a toy shop in Manhattan.
But now, she said: “People are much more discreet how they shop. Large orders are placed on the phone. And at birthday parties I see a difference. No one will bring a $300 LikeaBike anymore. Culturally, it’s just not acceptable anymore. Even for those who can afford a $200 toy.”
If someone brought a $300 bike to my kid’s birthday party, I think I would have heart failure. (But, please, if you must, her birthday is at the end of July.)
It’s good to see a little bit of sanity come back to the expense of parenting. I don’t want to be cheap, but I also want my kids to value their possessions and know the value of a dollar. Buying such extravagant toys and doo-dads doesn’t make a lot of sense, especially considering how long they use them. (Seriously, my daughter’s favorite toy for a year and a half has been a batch of plastic eggs. Cost: $.99 at CVS.)
Besides, with the way college tuition is these days, we’ll need every penny we can get later on.
molly Said,
July 9, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
my mother forwarded this article to me, I was like what? These people think they invented being cheap?
teacherninja Said,
July 10, 2009 @ 4:07 am
My daughter’s favorite baby toy was an empty water bottle with some dry rice in it. I know it’s un-PC, but we called it her “Ghetto Rattle.” Had some with pasta in it too. She loved those things. I guess we were cheap before cheap was cool.
chanson Said,
July 10, 2009 @ 7:00 am
That’s an encouraging trend. I’ve always been a fan of “waste not want not,” but with new stuff so cheap and accessible in the big box stores, it’s just too easy to buy new and throw out the old.
Naturally the Internet is a great tool for finding used stuff and finding people who want to re-use your old stuff that you’re not using anymore.
Stepan Said,
July 10, 2009 @ 8:39 am
I love our local toy library (Family Connections, in Austin TX). It’s essentially free and they have quality toys. And best of all, the toys get to go back after a while instead of cluttering up the house.
Julie Said,
July 10, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
I like to count the Bugaboos at the farmers’ market near our place and then tally them at the end of the trip. $900 a pop! I’m actually somewhat obsessed with the idea that people spend that much on a stroller.
Rebecca Said,
July 13, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
I’m pretty frugal, but I am tempted by the pretty stuff for babies from time to time. I try to remember to ask myself, “wouldn’t it be better to put that money straight into her college account?”. Sometimes the answer is, “no, pretty shoes! pretty shoes!” but usually it manages to talk me off the consumer edge.
Tony Karakashian Said,
July 17, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Funny I should catch this one today. My wife’s a very frugal buyer and refuses to pay full price for new. Her best find so far was a complete $180 stroller/carseat set that she found brand new in the box at the local Goodwill for $35. Target apparently donates overstock to Goodwill…But, today, she found a $75 Laugh-and-Learn kitchen for $6 at Goodwill, practically brand new. When she got it to the counter, she found it was yellow-tag day. It was half price.
For Daddy, we found a Calloway Big Bertha demo club at one store for just $1. Things never been hit!
I just wish I’d bought the 1966 Harley Sprint we found for $600…