One of the things that bugs me the most about having a kid is the COST of everything - from clothes to diapers to toys and food. Sheesh, it never ends.
Which is one of the reasons I was so willing to share all the stuff Claire has grown out of with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Especially for things that have a limited time frame of usage..like newborn gadgets...the co-sleeper and baby bathtub, the baby carriers, the maternity clothing. Why spend lots of money when you don't have to! We've gotten a ton of stuff from other people, so pay it forward, I say!
Which is why I am so excited at today's garbage room find. See, the building has recently been in the process of hiring a new super - and the guy they hired to fill in for the time being has been tasked with cleaning out the basement storage areas. There are a bunch - and there have been a succession of 3 large dumpsters outside each filled to the brim in it's turn.
All the garbage and recycling are kept in this one big room, and generally, it's open season on stuff that's in good shape, but discarded by the original owner. Now, Kayakboy and I have an advantage - we have to go in and out of the laundry room, past the main garbage area AND we have to take out our trash there, so we get to see what the rest of the building is getting rid of.
Finds have included a play purse for Claire; a folding banquet table; and a butcher-block topped work table that fits PERFECTLY in our kitchen (all it needed was a good scrubing.)
And today's find - a Little Tykes brand play kitchen!!! I had gone in to take some trash on our way out this morning and figured if it was still there when I came back, it was mine!! (there aren't a lot of babies in the building - the other one I know of, is a little boy, and his parents seem pretty traditional gender-role oriented...)
So there it was. I had hoped the super would be around to help me - but he wasn't. So I propped the door open, so Claire could still see me - then carried the kitchen to outside our door. Wheeled Claire inside, and put the kitchen in our storage area. Yeah, it needs a good scrub down, but that's why we have vinegar and hot water! And it's missing a few parts and all the accessories, but the company sells those - so I'm getting about a $140 toy for an investment of $20, give or take, plus elbow grease!
Can you tell, I'm excited about this?
What have you done to be a frugal parent?
Which is one of the reasons I was so willing to share all the stuff Claire has grown out of with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Especially for things that have a limited time frame of usage..like newborn gadgets...the co-sleeper and baby bathtub, the baby carriers, the maternity clothing. Why spend lots of money when you don't have to! We've gotten a ton of stuff from other people, so pay it forward, I say!
Which is why I am so excited at today's garbage room find. See, the building has recently been in the process of hiring a new super - and the guy they hired to fill in for the time being has been tasked with cleaning out the basement storage areas. There are a bunch - and there have been a succession of 3 large dumpsters outside each filled to the brim in it's turn.
All the garbage and recycling are kept in this one big room, and generally, it's open season on stuff that's in good shape, but discarded by the original owner. Now, Kayakboy and I have an advantage - we have to go in and out of the laundry room, past the main garbage area AND we have to take out our trash there, so we get to see what the rest of the building is getting rid of.
Finds have included a play purse for Claire; a folding banquet table; and a butcher-block topped work table that fits PERFECTLY in our kitchen (all it needed was a good scrubing.)
And today's find - a Little Tykes brand play kitchen!!! I had gone in to take some trash on our way out this morning and figured if it was still there when I came back, it was mine!! (there aren't a lot of babies in the building - the other one I know of, is a little boy, and his parents seem pretty traditional gender-role oriented...)
So there it was. I had hoped the super would be around to help me - but he wasn't. So I propped the door open, so Claire could still see me - then carried the kitchen to outside our door. Wheeled Claire inside, and put the kitchen in our storage area. Yeah, it needs a good scrub down, but that's why we have vinegar and hot water! And it's missing a few parts and all the accessories, but the company sells those - so I'm getting about a $140 toy for an investment of $20, give or take, plus elbow grease!
Can you tell, I'm excited about this?
What have you done to be a frugal parent?
Comments
Le Petamane Ancien, PF.
And it is great you are paying it forward with your family. That is a great way to do it. I wish my family was like that.
With my nephews being only a few years older than Maddie, we are constantly being given terrific hand-me-downs. Toys are the best because they can always be cleaned. And then as she outgrows them, I've been passing them on to another family who's daughter is 6 months younger.