5 Things Frugal Parents Never Waste Money On
Maintaining a budget while parenting can be tricky. It seems like there is a never-ending list of things kids need. That's already a pricey list. Sprinkle in what kids want on top of that, and the costs really start to add up.
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There are some things, though, that parents don't have to buy for their kids. Here's a look at what experts say parents can go without.
New Clothes for Children Under 6
Kids under 6 are constantly going and growing through clothes. That's why Bethany Skorik, founder of The Charming Diplomat, said you should buy thrifted clothes instead of new ones.
'An added bonus is that you're able to physically see the sizing of the garment before purchasing, mitigating buying items that are too big or small,' she said.
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New Bedroom Sets
A bedroom set is another item that can be outgrown pretty quickly, so Skorik recommended looking for secondhand furniture to avoid spending too much on something that's going to be obsolete in a year.
'After your baby outgrows their crib or toddler bed, consider buying custom sets off Facebook Marketplace,' she said. 'I've had clients buy gorgeous day beds, matching furniture sets and themed beds/bedding for pennies on the dollar. An added bonus is that if you can borrow a friend's pickup truck, you can bring these home already assembled!'
Specialized Baby Gear
New parents especially can fall into the trap of thinking their baby needs the most advanced equipment on the market. Evan Gold, the founder of Simplify Parenthood, said that just isn't true.
'I spent $150 on a baby food processor that we used maybe 10 times before it ended up gathering dust in our cabinet. Most of my parent friends now either borrow these items or buy them secondhand for a fraction of the cost,' he said.
Extra Toys
Sure, kids deserve toys. But when the playroom is bursting at the seams with new things to play with, Gold said it's time to cut back.
'One of my biggest parenting revelations was realizing that our kids actually play better with fewer toys around. Having too many toys around creates total chaos and is a nightmare to keep clean! We have found that having just eight to 10 open-ended toys in rotation works perfectly, and doesn't break the bank,' he said.
Elaborate Birthday Parties
Birthday parties can be extremely expensive when you factor in food and entertainment for all the kids. Gold said that, to save money, it's better to go simple for celebrations. The kids still have fun and parents save a lot of money.
'Last year, we took four kids to the local splash pad, brought homemade cupcakes and juice boxes, and they had the time of their lives for under $50. No expensive goodie bags or pricey destinations required,' he said.
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