Thrifty mom

It is funny how over time we change our ideals on what should be bought brand new and what could be bought used. How we look at what we have and make sure it is still good and has lots of use in it still. We do this with everything we own; shirt and pants when worn out we toss it or turn it into something else or in my case my oldest daughter takes clothing I am getting rid of and claims them as her own.

I have done this with baby items. Deemed what was usable from others and what we must have brand new. Have I always done this? Not a chance. I must admit I do love new stuff and would rather have everything new. With that said though, there are things that are better off left used and reused until it is no longer possible.

With my oldest, everything had to be brand new. I avoided using anything that was given to us used. Looking back, I was stupid. People were giving us their used items for free and I wanted brand new. I did use a swing that was given to us since it became a life saver since she wanted to be held all the time and would hardly nap even at a month old. I had used clothes given to us, but I would opt for new clothing when dressing her. Senseless amounts of money was wasted on something she out grew faster than I could keep up, or it was destroyed by gross spit up.

With my son, the only new items we bought was a crib, matrices, dresser and the odd clothing items like shoes and hats. I welcomed every used article of clothing, toys, and baby equipment we would use. I did buy new bottles and nipples since it concerned me to use those that were given used. Even at three years old, he wears used clothing because lets face it, he is a boy and gets dirty and blows out the knees. He does get new items occasionally, but he also has become a thrifty shopper and enjoys such stores as Value Village and used children's item stores for those cool finds.

Now with the youngest, I have even gone to the extent of buy others used stuff through buy and swap groups, used children's item stores or posting want adds. I bought new bottles and nipples and every penny that I save goes into an envelope for use on diapers and formula. We did buy a new swing for her since Wal-Mart was having an insane sale and a used swing was the same price as a new swing. We are reusing the crib we had for my son and buying her a be dresser.

Over the last 15 years I have really changed. My frame of mind is no longer on brand new items but rather saving money and going the route of used items. I have become frugal. I will seek out any means possible to gain a dollar that can be used on other items.

I am not afraid to admit that I am thrifty and now prefer to buy used whenever possible.