How Much Should You Spend on Baby Items?

Well I feel Inflatable Obstacle like a cheap-o. I often compil list of baby/mommi must-haves, and after read anoth such list on anoth such blog, my jaw drop and my ey bulg and my brain said, "A re you kid me!?"

When you think of a good price on a handbag, what do you think? I'll tell you what I think: twenti bucks. I wa shock to see a sentenc that went someth like this: With today' tough economy, the $400 price tag on thi hand bag is a great value..." Mayb it' my "poor as dirt" upbringing, or my particular geograph environ teem with penny-pinchers, but I simpli could not justifi spend almost a month' worth of groceri monei on someth like a handbag.

I justifi such an attitud thusly: That item is veri trendy. It will like be out of style next year. I should just spend my monei on someth far less expens if I'm just go to get a newer, trendier bag next year/season. Also, that bag will not match with everything, so I should instead spend far less monei on get two, or even three handbag so that I can switch it up.

A m I alon here? Sure, I dream of a dai when I can spend more than $8 for a pair of jean at the local thrift store although I get a small thrill when I find a great deal there . I long for a time when I can get all new dish that actual match, don't have chip in them, and were not on sale at the time of our wed 9 year ago. But I like to think that even if I wa roll in the dough, I would not spend $1200 on a stroller, $160 on a pair of babi shoes, or $125 on mascara.

Mayb it' becaus right now I know where everi singl penni goes. I time bill and groceri and ga tank fill-up around pai day. I check Craig' List almost religiously. Mayb when thing ar tight, you ar tight. At time it' tough, but I feel good about it. I have a streak of hippi chick, the old "reduce, reuse, recycle", less-is-mor kind of attitude. Ironically, that $400 bag wa call "The Hippi Chic" bag. I don't think a lot of actual hippi chick ar bui it.

So here' my breakdown of a few must-haves, and how much I paid for them.

::Babi Gear:: --Babi Trend Phantom Car Seat: rate #1 by Consum Report Magazine. Origin $110. I paid $45 to a girl from Craig' List who got 3 car seat at babi showers.

--Babi Trend Sit 'n Stand Stoller: $150. The first thing I ever bought brand new, and the most expensive. Bought when I had my 2nd babi so my 1st could easili get on and off, and it' been worth everi penny. Still us it regularli after5 years. I can load 4 kid on that thing!

--Fisher Price Sooth Sound Bouncer: $8 at thrift store. Took it all apart, wash everything, and it wa like brand new! Thi is on of the most us item when I have a babi around. I love bouncer seats.

--Graco Babi Swing: Free from a friend who never us hers. Gave it awai for free becaus I never us it, either. Love the bouncer over the swing.

--Peacock Tote bag: $18, brand new, on sale. It wa so super cute and fit all my babi gear in it: diapers, wipes, blankie, toys, wallet, keys, cell phone. Then I got done have to carri a diaper bag and did not feel the least bit bad about donat it to the thrift store.

::Mommi Gear:: --Max Factor 2000 Calori Mascara: $6. I have done makeup for beauti pageants, plays, ballets, and proms. If there' a drug-stor mascara out there, I have tri it. I've even us the fanci depart store $60 kind. There is none, in my opinion, that is as fantast as 2000 Calorie.

--A corn Slipper $40. Yes, forti buck is a lot to spend on slippers. Thi is my on big spend item for winter. My feet ar cold from the end of Septemb to the begin of May, so I wear my slipper constantly. I don't like floppi thing that I have to shuffl around in. These ar more like comfy, warm shoe that ar machin washable. I've had my current pair for 2 years, and had my last pair for 3. Thei still look good and hold up great. Thei ar the best.

--Ralph Lauren Down Coat: $13 at after-season sale. Thi is the perfect everywher coat. It look good with everi dai jeans, and I've even worn it to church. Warm, machin washable, and ha held up realli well.

--Burt' Bee' Pomegran lip balm: $3. The best lip balm on the planet. Period. I hate lipstick and sticki glosses. Burt' Bee is all natural, non greasy, long lasting. It' everyth a lip balm should be.

--Dove Bodi Mist: $5. I have a problem with strong perfumes. I love the light, fresh scent of these bodi mist as a perfum alternative. It make me feel pretti and fanci even though I'm realli not.

--Levi Strauss Khaki Purse: $2 at thrift store. I had been search for the perfect purs for ages. Thi on is just big enough to fit travel size wipe inside, along with my wallet. It ha a pocket for keys, a pen, lip balm, cell phone, and busi cards. I like thing organized. It' small and cute and a littl funki and I love it.

Do you have to spend thousand and thousand of dollar to adequ care for a baby? I don't think so. Naturally, it' a person choice. But I think if you'r go into debt for a stroller, you should rethink your priorities! I've spent absurdli littl on babi gear, and I've never onc heard my 3 kid complain. I'm comfort with hand-me-downs, clearanc sales, and store brands.