I was the type that before I got pregnant, I said my child would have everything new because I wanted to be the first one to own it and have it in mint condition. The reality is babies cost lots of money and my mind quickly changed once I became pregnant. I began shopping on a facebook page called the Montgomery County Yard Sale, local consignment sales, thrift shops, Once Upon A Child, Goodwill, eBay, and yard sales. It is amazing what I was able to find in like new condition or new and for a steal of a price (at least half of the new retail price). Here is just a small list of what I have bought used for an awesome price:
SwaddleMe Swaddlers $5
Clothing (some with tags still) $0.25-$8
Baby Bjorn $5
Organic Ergo Carrier w/teething pads $80
Kelty Backpack Carrier $40
Fisher Price Jumperoo $30
Bright Stars Vibrating Bouncer $20
3 Tommee Tippee Bottles $5 (which are the kind she has sort of taken to)
Brand New Boppy w/cover $15
Bumbo Seat w/tray $20
Cozy Cover Car Seat Cover $7
Arms Reach CoSleeper $50
Chicco High Chair $40 (but realized buckle was broken after purchase, so always inspect real well)
Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat w/base $30 (extra for mom's car and doesn't expire till 2017)
Extra Chicco KeyFit Base $30
Changing Pad w/cover $10
Diaper Champ $12 (now that we have switched to cloth the disposable wipes go there till we use them up and switch to cloth wipes)
2 Bravado nursing tanks $15
10 BumGenius Cloth Diapers w/Planet Wise Wet Bag and Cloth Wipes $130
Wide variety of toys and books $0.50-$15
Of course we were handed down clothes, bibs, shoes, etc. I usually just go through what is given to us, pick out what I want, then give the rest to Goodwill.
It is always important to keep an eye out for recalled items and to inspect that they are in good working order. Like with the high chair, the female part of the buckle was broke. So I could call the company and replace it, but I ended up buying a new high chair at Babies R' Us with a 20% off coupon. Still cost me $100, but now I know it is in good working order and will last a long time!
Now there are some things that I refused to buy used. First and foremost was my breast bump. Breast pumps are recommend for single users and actually you should buy a new one with each child because mold can form in the pump. The car seats I probably would not have bought used, but knowing they had not been in an accident and they had quite a few years till expiration, made them okay. I also wanted to buy the crib mattress new. I actually spent more on it than the actual crib. But that is because I wanted made of organic materials and a real firm one. I would have bought the nursery furniture used, but would have had to make sure there were no recalls. We bought new furniture because we wanted to match up the style and color with the trundle bed.
So in the end I am glad I have bought quite a bit used because of how little use the item may get. Babies grow so quickly! We are already saving for the one big ticket item in her life...COLLEGE! As the Duggars say "Buy used and save the difference."
And here is the lil' Miss in her "used" Jumperoo now!
