Comments on: The Upside of Deprivation

By: joanne

joanne — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:51:25 +0000

As I was researching preschools, one of the websites I found stated beautifully (and I will butcher her idea) that it is imperative for development of the imagination that kids have toys that are kind of generic. For instance, a rock can be a fire engine or a dinosaur or whatever he imagines in his play. A fancy plastic fire engine that makes siren noises can only be that and limits the imagination. Right now my son’s favorite toys are sticks he finds in the yard.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:30:32 +0000

I don’t feel guilty about it at all! I try to never buy anything full price and will usually look for used items instead of buying new, and that goes for baby stuff as well. I just found out we’re having another girl, which means that our first girls’ (mostly) used clothes and toys can be used yet again.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:36:06 +0000

Lol, and, I get really, REALLY excited when I get a great used item for a fabulous cost. Doesn’t take much for me to be happy!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:33:30 +0000

I almost always buy things only on sale, or buy generic items, such as food. Rarely do we spend full price. I think my frugalness drives my husband nuts when grocery shopping.

But, when I was pregnant, before I got into AP and natural birth, I thought that we needed SO many things that we weren’t going to be able to get. I freaked out when things didn’t get bought off the registry. We did buy lots of used items, but didn’t get everything people mostly think you need.

It slowly dawned on me as I learned about AP and took natural birth classes that it didn’t make sense to me to buy things for my baby that would only take him further away from me. I invested in a couple of slings after his birth, sold the bassinet and co-slept, and used my money on cloth diapers. When we realized our son’s favorite “toy” was an infant hairbrush, we breathed a sign of relief for not buying any expensive toys. He still carries that hairbrush around (“safety net?”) at one year old. At times the swing or other toys were nice, but all we really needed was a sling, breastfeeding, and room in the bed for baby safely (and a hairbrush). And I wouldn’t have it any other way, even if I made millions of dollars.

By: Allyson

Allyson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:40:38 +0000

I’m pregnant with #1, and have gotten most stuff used or for free from friends (except the carseat, for safety reasons). We’re still a bit overwhelmed with baby stuff, especially since this is the first grandchild on both sides of the family. But I also put things like “casseroles for the freezer” on our gift registry, so people could feel like giving those things was appropriate and much appreciated.

Great ideas for future birthdays, though—I’ll have to keep those in mind!

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:12:17 +0000

Cheerios just went on the list for my son’s first Christmas presents. I got a set of plastic nesting mixing bowls for my first birthday. When my inlaws were asking what his favorite toys were (looking to buys some for a visit) they were taken aback when I said faces. They were however delighted after the visit when they found that to be the case. Most of his favorite toys (with some notable exceptions) have come out of the recycling box. I also like the idea of a few investment toys (not price, but long term usefulness) like a set of nesting/stacking cups.

I love the tub of rocks.

By: Becca @ My Perception of Life

Becca @ My Perception of Life — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:09:10 +0000

** meant to say I see no reason to NOT recycle baby gear

By: Becca @ My Perception of Life

Becca @ My Perception of Life — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:08:26 +0000

I have vowed to not buy one single thing at full price, new, etc. There is no use in doing so from what I see, b/c as soon as your baby uses it once it is a used item too! If it can be washed thoroughly and is a quality product, I see no reason in recycling baby gear. It’s financially sensible, the baby could care less, most people can’t even tell the difference (not that I’d care anyway), and it’s Green!!!

By: Celeste

Celeste — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:27:48 +0000

For my son’s second birthday we gave him a bucket full of rocks. One of his favorite activities is to throw rocks into water so instead of buying him something, we dug out a unnecessary storage tub, washed some rocks and put them in the tub. It has entertained him for hours. I did feel guilty for it at first, but then the inventiveness of his gift helped me overcome my guilt. I want to make it part of my life now.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:38:11 +0000

Thank you for the article…it couldn’t have stated better how I feel! I am pregnant with baby #1 and I am resisting buying many things. I am given many sideways glances at my refusals, but I would prefer to have the money to DO things with the baby, then to HAVE things. As I look around, it seems that we have become so over saturated with stuff–I’d really like to cut back on that.