Choices abound when shopping for kid’s bits and pieces. Options are available at various price ranges depending on the type of merchandise, store, and quality. It is tempting to go with designer products, especially if pricing is not a concern, as they do offer rather exclusive and better quality products. For everyday items such as child’s clothing for home and school, we have long realized that such a strategy does not align with our money management style. Clothes in general fit well for only 4-6 months as kids outgrow them fast. Longevity of use is a very good guideline to go by. When our kids were newborn, Costco and Oshkosh/Carter’s factory outlet stores played a big role. For items such as crib bedding that were for longer-term use, we went outside this norm. Kids bedding is another item were we splurged as we expect to use it for an extended period of time. As they grew, one item that constantly figured is kids gifts. Here again, choosing the store depending on the type of gift and the expected length of use is a good guideline.
Recycling kid’s possessions is key to avoid clutter. For used clothes and toys, it usually meant donating outgrown ones every six months at a minimum – Salvation Army, Red Cross and others who would pick from the house. However, for items such as Car Seats, Baby Bjorn, etc, there is a very good online market in places such as Craigslist. Another thing to keep in mind is that items from specialized stores usually are better quality, although a lot more expensive, but the upside is obviously that it will last longer as well. So, if the item is something for which there is a market in the online space, it makes a lot of sense to spend the extra money, as a portion of it should come back to you when you resell it.
Last Updated: 01/2015.
Recycling kid’s possessions is key to avoid clutter. For used clothes and toys, it usually meant donating outgrown ones every six months at a minimum – Salvation Army, Red Cross and others who would pick from the house. However, for items such as Car Seats, Baby Bjorn, etc, there is a very good online market in places such as Craigslist. Another thing to keep in mind is that items from specialized stores usually are better quality, although a lot more expensive, but the upside is obviously that it will last longer as well. So, if the item is something for which there is a market in the online space, it makes a lot of sense to spend the extra money, as a portion of it should come back to you when you resell it.
Last Updated: 01/2015.
No comments :
Post a Comment