We all want to provide our children with the newest and best toys and clothes.
We come up with wish lists that we will want to take to a toy store the minute we find out the gender of the child.
All of a sudden, we realize that our wish list has a price tag of about $1,000 if not more.
This sticker shock will cause many parents to prioritize what types of toys we want to provide our children and what things we are willing to go without.
However, I took a lesson from my wife that allowed us to spoil our daughter rotten without breaking the bank.
When our daughter came along my wife insisted in buying allot of toys.
She had an ever growing wish list.
We also have a spending budget.
We separate our bill money from grocery money.
We also separate out spending money.
All this budgeting presented a problem.
If we were to get all the things on that wish list we would probably never get to eat out or but much of anything and still follow our budget.
My wife came up with a solution to this problem.
Baby supplies, toys and clothes are one of the most handed down products.
Unlike other hand me downs, baby toys and clothes tend to be newer and of a better quality.
The reason is because most toys and clothes become obsolete in a matter of months or years.
This fact added to my reservations about sinking hundreds of dollars on toys that will be used for a few months.
My wife checked the baby and kids section of our local craigslist page and found hundreds of toys and other items listed.
We are not just talking about faded toys that sat out in the yard for a decade.
We are talking about like new toys that simply became obsolete as the child grew up or grew out of them.
As long as you deal locally, craigslist can be a great way to save hundreds of dollars while still providing your child with all the toys and other items you want to give them.
It initially surprised me to think that people would simply turn around and sell these items sometimes at a deep discount.
It dies however, make perfect sense.
You have parents who bought the toy and now the toy sits in a corner doing nothing.
Of course if you try to sell this used item for close to new prices it would never sell.
So many parents looking to get some quick cash to finance their next toy buying expedition, will list like new items for in some cases 80% its original sale price.
Some of these items could have been played with more on the store shelf by shoppers passing by, than by the child the toy was purchased for.
The key to being successful on craigslist is to be organized.
You can put out "wanted" ads for what you are looking for.
Just because it is not listed doesn't mean that someone is not willing to sell.
Perhaps they overlooked the item until they see your "wanted" ad.
Make sure to be direct in your interest in an item you see.
If you sound like you are "window shopping" the item might end up being sold to someone else.
You should also plan trips so that you pick up items in one trip rather than going out five different times to pick up five different things.
You should also make sure you have the right vehicle for the job.
If you are picking up a massive lawn castle you might need a pickup truck.
Whenever you deal over craigslist make sure you follow safety guidelines.
Use common sense.
Using Craigslist can be a great tool to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when looking for toys for your child.
We come up with wish lists that we will want to take to a toy store the minute we find out the gender of the child.
All of a sudden, we realize that our wish list has a price tag of about $1,000 if not more.
This sticker shock will cause many parents to prioritize what types of toys we want to provide our children and what things we are willing to go without.
However, I took a lesson from my wife that allowed us to spoil our daughter rotten without breaking the bank.
When our daughter came along my wife insisted in buying allot of toys.
She had an ever growing wish list.
We also have a spending budget.
We separate our bill money from grocery money.
We also separate out spending money.
All this budgeting presented a problem.
If we were to get all the things on that wish list we would probably never get to eat out or but much of anything and still follow our budget.
My wife came up with a solution to this problem.
Baby supplies, toys and clothes are one of the most handed down products.
Unlike other hand me downs, baby toys and clothes tend to be newer and of a better quality.
The reason is because most toys and clothes become obsolete in a matter of months or years.
This fact added to my reservations about sinking hundreds of dollars on toys that will be used for a few months.
My wife checked the baby and kids section of our local craigslist page and found hundreds of toys and other items listed.
We are not just talking about faded toys that sat out in the yard for a decade.
We are talking about like new toys that simply became obsolete as the child grew up or grew out of them.
As long as you deal locally, craigslist can be a great way to save hundreds of dollars while still providing your child with all the toys and other items you want to give them.
It initially surprised me to think that people would simply turn around and sell these items sometimes at a deep discount.
It dies however, make perfect sense.
You have parents who bought the toy and now the toy sits in a corner doing nothing.
Of course if you try to sell this used item for close to new prices it would never sell.
So many parents looking to get some quick cash to finance their next toy buying expedition, will list like new items for in some cases 80% its original sale price.
Some of these items could have been played with more on the store shelf by shoppers passing by, than by the child the toy was purchased for.
The key to being successful on craigslist is to be organized.
You can put out "wanted" ads for what you are looking for.
Just because it is not listed doesn't mean that someone is not willing to sell.
Perhaps they overlooked the item until they see your "wanted" ad.
Make sure to be direct in your interest in an item you see.
If you sound like you are "window shopping" the item might end up being sold to someone else.
You should also plan trips so that you pick up items in one trip rather than going out five different times to pick up five different things.
You should also make sure you have the right vehicle for the job.
If you are picking up a massive lawn castle you might need a pickup truck.
Whenever you deal over craigslist make sure you follow safety guidelines.
Use common sense.
Using Craigslist can be a great tool to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars when looking for toys for your child.
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