Inspired by Julie Cole's Planning to Have A Big Family? Some random tips to save time and money I wanted to share my favourite get-kid-stuff-cheap go-tos (yes, that's a lot of hypens—I appologize in advance to my editor Ali).
Babies and kids go through things at a crazy rate (that expensive baby bouncer we used for three months for example) and some things can be so gently used that you can buy and sell them on the cheap rather than pay full price. And who likes full price anyway?!
Kijji.com Canada's free online classifieds. I sold an exersaucer and that baby bouncer—easy, no problem sales.
craigslist.ca Another free online classified site (stay away from the personal section though—it can be dodgy over there). I bought my diaper bag via craigslist from someone who lived four blocks away.
Consignment shops: neighbourhood consignment shops are a great way to support the local economy and find a deal fast. I bought our baby bike seat at a local 2nd hand shop for $40 (store prices were about $120).
ebay.ca for that item you just don't want to search around for and ebay will have it shipped to you. I bought a new Elmo t-shirt for Baby for $9 and I bought a bannagrams game for $14—SHIPPING INCLUDED—it's almost $20 in store.
Garage Sales: Garage sales are a win-win—you help someone else clean out their stuff and you get a gently used kid thing at a deal. Case in point: the $10 bike we bought for my daughter a few weeks ago. {And you do know the gargage sale rule right? If there is a kid selling cookies or lemonade you MUST buy. You will make their day.}
Friends: Hand-me-downs (geez, hyphens again Caroline?!) are a good thing. From sending a bag of gently used clothes to your neighbour down the street to gifting away a still-in-good-use toddler bed, kid gear swapped between friends is an age-old tradition. We were gifted a swing set (yes a swing set) that just needed some TLC. 10 years later it is still being used at our house. Every. Day.
YummyMummyClub Forums: I didn't realize there was a buy/sell/swap forum here on YMC. Good to know n'est pas?
Before you start off on your kid-gear-frugal-find-quest, take some time to inform yourself on child product recalls. Health Canada has a dedicated site to recalls on child equipment and furniture, clothing and toys. And check the Ministry of Transportation (that is the Ontario Ministry link) for their recommendations on height/weight seat limitations as well as guidance on buying new or pre-owned.
Don't think of finding a kid deal as being cheap. You are giving something gently used a second life AND you are keeping it out of a landfill—you are being environmentally-friendly.
Finding kid stuff cheap is an addictive activity for the whole family.
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