Comments on: My Top Five New Parent Money-Wasters: A True Confession http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/ We're here, We're queer, and We're not going Shopping without Coupons Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:23:21 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Queercents » Blog Archive » SmartyPig: Social networking meets good old-fashioned savings http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-118532 Queercents » Blog Archive » SmartyPig: Social networking meets good old-fashioned savings Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:38:24 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-118532 [...] crib is a bad example (since Jennifer recently admitted on Queercents that it was one of her Top Five New Parent Money-Wasters). But Trent gives another illustration: I can’t help but think back to when I was a teenager and [...]<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-118532">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> [...] crib is a bad example (since Jennifer recently admitted on Queercents that it was one of her Top Five New Parent Money-Wasters). But Trent gives another illustration: I can’t help but think back to when I was a teenager and [...]

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]]> By: Jennifer http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-111807 Jennifer Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:40:15 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-111807 Ha! Great point, Amy! Second-hand stores are terrific; we're just having problems now b/c our daughter is an odd size. Which doesn't excuse my SJP debacle. Stacy, I agree about the baby carriers; the simplest sort of sling (some were like origami, full of hidden, inscrutable folds) worked best for us, too. We've had luck with Hanna Anderson for our large baby; the clothing is well-made and gives, and lasts forever. We just buy a size too large. It's pricey, but wait for the sales. And it's non-sweatshop, all-cotton.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-111807">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Ha! Great point, Amy! Second-hand stores are terrific; we’re just having problems now b/c our daughter is an odd size. Which doesn’t excuse my SJP debacle.
Stacy, I agree about the baby carriers; the simplest sort of sling (some were like origami, full of hidden, inscrutable folds) worked best for us, too.
We’ve had luck with Hanna Anderson for our large baby; the clothing is well-made and gives, and lasts forever. We just buy a size too large. It’s pricey, but wait for the sales. And it’s non-sweatshop, all-cotton.

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]]> By: Amy http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-111765 Amy Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:37:11 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-111765 I think a lot of new parents tend to forget that it is THE BABY that is cute, not all the junk you buy. The baby is going to get all your attention whether it is wearing Tommy Hilfiger or Walmart. My favorite find has been a second-hand store. Most of the clothes in there are brand new - because parents over-bought or were given stuff as presents. Their trash is my treasure! (and its not even trashy!)<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-111765">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> I think a lot of new parents tend to forget that it is THE BABY that is cute, not all the junk you buy. The baby is going to get all your attention whether it is wearing Tommy Hilfiger or Walmart.

My favorite find has been a second-hand store. Most of the clothes in there are brand new – because parents over-bought or were given stuff as presents. Their trash is my treasure! (and its not even trashy!)

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]]> By: Stacy http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-111224 Stacy Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:45:40 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-111224 Whoa, I never even thought about the child labor issue with baby clothes - thank you! As a mother of a 4-month old wearing 12-month old clothing (another giant child!) I have a tendency to buy way too much clothing to keep up with her growth. Now I'll try to keep it to a minimum and go for quality instead of quantity. Baby carriers (front packs, etc.) were my big money wasters - I bought 4 before realizing that a simple sling works best for us!<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-111224">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Whoa, I never even thought about the child labor issue with baby clothes – thank you! As a mother of a 4-month old wearing 12-month old clothing (another giant child!) I have a tendency to buy way too much clothing to keep up with her growth. Now I’ll try to keep it to a minimum and go for quality instead of quantity.

Baby carriers (front packs, etc.) were my big money wasters – I bought 4 before realizing that a simple sling works best for us!

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]]> By: Jennifer http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110933 Jennifer Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:09:44 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110933 Sage advice, DivaJean! We've run into the same problem w/our daughter recently:onesies in her size (a little under a 2, even though she's only 11 months!!! She's going to tower over us...) are hard to come by, so I'm finding myself snapping them up when I see them (which led to the SJP debacle). I haven't had luck w/my usual sources: hand-me-downs, Ebay, op shops, etc... any suggestions?<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110933">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Sage advice, DivaJean!
We’ve run into the same problem w/our daughter recently:onesies in her size (a little under a 2, even though she’s only 11 months!!! She’s going to tower over us…) are hard to come by, so I’m finding myself snapping them up when I see them (which led to the SJP debacle). I haven’t had luck w/my usual sources: hand-me-downs, Ebay, op shops, etc…
any suggestions?

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]]> By: DivaJean http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110821 DivaJean Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:33:36 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110821 Nina- you really only need a "good" stroller for a few months anyways. Once the baby can sit up enough, a $29 umbrella stroller is all you need. Beg, borrow, FreeCycle to get a decent enough stroller for the first 9 to 10 months-- then just use an umbrella stroller. We use a double umbrella for our (almost) 3 year old and the 10 month old. We never fell into traps with big ticket baby items. I feel lucky that we were blessed by my aunt giving us money for a decent crib that has lasted us thru all 4 kidlets. And yes- it was a $300 bought at BabiesRUS type- not boutique in any way. And clothes- I've posted before that we've got friends/family who rotate their secondhands with us. We usually only need to buy underwear, socks, and shoes-- with some occasional gaps in things. For instance, my 9 year old girly girl likes to wear dresses to church and at least once a week to school. Sadly, none made their way to us in her size- so we had to fill in that gap with shopping.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110821">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Nina- you really only need a “good” stroller for a few months anyways. Once the baby can sit up enough, a $29 umbrella stroller is all you need. Beg, borrow, FreeCycle to get a decent enough stroller for the first 9 to 10 months– then just use an umbrella stroller. We use a double umbrella for our (almost) 3 year old and the 10 month old.

We never fell into traps with big ticket baby items. I feel lucky that we were blessed by my aunt giving us money for a decent crib that has lasted us thru all 4 kidlets. And yes- it was a $300 bought at BabiesRUS type- not boutique in any way.

And clothes- I’ve posted before that we’ve got friends/family who rotate their secondhands with us. We usually only need to buy underwear, socks, and shoes– with some occasional gaps in things. For instance, my 9 year old girly girl likes to wear dresses to church and at least once a week to school. Sadly, none made their way to us in her size- so we had to fill in that gap with shopping.

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]]> By: The Simple Dollar » The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Crunch Edition http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110796 The Simple Dollar » The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Crunch Edition Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:01:51 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110796 [...] My Top Five New Parent Money-Wasters: A True Confession New parents are a marketer’s wet dream - emotionally vulnerable and looking for every way possible to make things “perfect” for the baby. (@ queercents) [...]<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110796">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> [...] My Top Five New Parent Money-Wasters: A True Confession New parents are a marketer’s wet dream – emotionally vulnerable and looking for every way possible to make things “perfect” for the baby. (@ queercents) [...]

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]]> By: Jennifer http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110623 Jennifer Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:28:47 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110623 Vicki: I know exactly what you're talking about! I think today's world perhaps has far fewer occasions for 'good' clothes than in the past. We've returned some of the 'good' clothes we've received as presents. We're hoping that the fact that we don't have any t.v. in our house (and plan to do Waldorf schooling, where all the parents are asked to eliminate t.v. from their kids' lives) will help with the 'have to have' issue, but we'll see...I grew up with no t.v., but still managed to know about all the trends and 'have to haves' once I hit middle school. Nina: Good point! The main value that the pricey strollers have over the cheapos is _weight_. They're a lot lighter! So, we're willing to pay a bit more for lightness (especially now that we're lugging around a 30 lb baby everywhere!). But we've foregone all the shmancy bells and whistles. We got our current model as a present; it came in at a little under $600--which is mid-range, these days!!<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110623">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Vicki: I know exactly what you’re talking about! I think today’s world perhaps has far fewer occasions for ‘good’ clothes than in the past. We’ve returned some of the ‘good’ clothes we’ve received as presents. We’re hoping that the fact that we don’t have any t.v. in our house (and plan to do Waldorf schooling, where all the parents are asked to eliminate t.v. from their kids’ lives) will help with the ‘have to have’ issue, but we’ll see…I grew up with no t.v., but still managed to know about all the trends and ‘have to haves’ once I hit middle school.

Nina: Good point! The main value that the pricey strollers have over the cheapos is _weight_. They’re a lot lighter! So, we’re willing to pay a bit more for lightness (especially now that we’re lugging around a 30 lb baby everywhere!). But we’ve foregone all the shmancy bells and whistles. We got our current model as a present; it came in at a little under $600–which is mid-range, these days!!

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]]> By: Vicki http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110594 Vicki Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:19:07 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110594 The concept of having "good" clothes. My mother raised me with the idea that we should always have "everyday" clothes and "good" clothes. Now, she never told me what constituted a situation for wearing "good" clothes. So, this is often what happened: My son is terribly picking about what he wears. He doesn't like shirts with buttons or collars, so forget anything button down. Still, he always ended up with a bunch of clothes hanging in his closet that were only worn a handful of times or else not at all. They were a total waste of money. Or shoes. I've often bought two pairs of shoes thinking he could rotate them, one pair always ends up either being returned or being sold because they no longer fit. All of those things that kids just "have to have" from toys to clothes to some item at the grocery. I think those all fall into the category of financial mistakes. I finally got tough and just wouldn't by that box of cereal for the prize inside, no matter how much my son claimed he would eat it. I don't like sugared cereals that much.<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110594">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> The concept of having “good” clothes. My mother raised me with the idea that we should always have “everyday” clothes and “good” clothes. Now, she never told me what constituted a situation for wearing “good” clothes. So, this is often what happened:

My son is terribly picking about what he wears. He doesn’t like shirts with buttons or collars, so forget anything button down. Still, he always ended up with a bunch of clothes hanging in his closet that were only worn a handful of times or else not at all. They were a total waste of money. Or shoes. I’ve often bought two pairs of shoes thinking he could rotate them, one pair always ends up either being returned or being sold because they no longer fit.

All of those things that kids just “have to have” from toys to clothes to some item at the grocery. I think those all fall into the category of financial mistakes. I finally got tough and just wouldn’t by that box of cereal for the prize inside, no matter how much my son claimed he would eat it. I don’t like sugared cereals that much.

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]]> By: Nina http://queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/comment-page-1/#comment-110579 Nina Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:44:52 +0000 http://www.queercents.com/2008/03/04/my-top-five-new-parent-money-wasters-a-true-confession/#comment-110579 Jennifer: Where do strollers fit into this list? Do we really need the $900 Bugaboo vs. a basic compact stroller that will get the kid around for $79!<p class="top-comments">Current score: <span class="top-comments-karma" id="karma-110579">0</span> <small>(to vote for this comment, please visit the site)</small></p> Jennifer: Where do strollers fit into this list? Do we really need the $900 Bugaboo vs. a basic compact stroller that will get the kid around for $79!

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