Where to spend the money?
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Topic: Where to spend the money?
Posted By: _H_
Subject: Where to spend the money?
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 7:42pm
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so im interested in learning from others experience- when buying baby gear what is it best to spend more money on? is it worth spending lots on a pram (or any baby item) when a cheaper one will be the job?
i guess what im trying to ask is expensive better? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:01pm
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I would say a good capsule/carseat would be my priority and was the thing we splashed out on and bought an expensive new one.
We bought our buggy and cot off TradeMe - but wouldn't have bought a secondhand carseat. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:04pm
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NO expensive is not better IMO. But do your research, esp with buggys! I do a lot of walking...and up and down hills so needed a buggy that would cope with road walking and was light(ish). the mountain buggy fitted the bill perfectly, whereas the Valco 3 wheeler we were given was lovely but a big old heavy sod to push up hills. Also, with buggys...will it physically fit into your car? WIll you be able to lift it? I ended up having to buy a little lie flat stroller cos the MB wouldn't fit in my 2 door car lol. Car seats are all *about* the same as long as they have passed the NZ/AUS safety standards....the rest are bells and whistles which you may or may not want. We simply couldn't afford to spend $400 on a carseat so it was a moot point and we spent $150 brand new Go Safe on sale lol. It's great. And we hired the other one from Plunket! Not worth (IMO) spending huge sums on clothes either cos people give you heaps, they get dirty and then the baby outgrows them in a blink lol. Hmmm. That's all I can think of ATM. HTH -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:06pm
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I totally agree about the carseat.
There are so many good deals out there on TM for 2nd hand baby stuff. In saying that I have bought a few new things such a P&T pram, but I shopped around for a long time to get the best deal. Also if you do buy something new or even 2nd hand if its a quality item you are most likely get at least half of what you paid back when/if you sell it. If there was one thing I would go back and buy again its the Mocka white plastic highchair, but without the insert. It was not that expensive in comparison to most other highchairs out there but is in my opinion the best by far. edited to add the highchair was $70 at the most, some of the old school wooden ones go for more than that on TM! |
Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:06pm
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We are hiring a capsule (hopefully moving to the states when bubs is 6mo, so no point in buying one, other wise I would have liked to have bought one that was proven to be really safe even if mroe expensive (but I have no idea since we didnt look into it)
Other than that, I bought a new cot mattress, (will get) new sound and motion monitor. Other than that, everything else can be 2nd hand.... If you decide you want an expensive pram or what ever then you can always look out for a good bargain on TM... ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:07pm
oh yeah! I forgot about the cot! Grandad bought Clodagh a $1000 cot...and she HATES it! lol ooops  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:54pm
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Expensive isn't better IMO either. We got a pram (like a phil and teds) but bought it 2nd hand and its great. Our carseats were either bought on sale or a cheap brand, all for between 150-200. As long as they pass standards and can carry their weight for a while, the rest is just bells and whistles, like someone said.
My main thing is not buying into branding - Safe n Sound, Phil and teds/Mountain Buggy, Pumpkin Patch - that's not to say they're great, but you can find things just as good for half the price with a bit of shopping around. Case and point - went to Farmers today and they had summer clothes marked down to between 3.75-5 dollars - I got $300 worth for $100. Can't say you'd get a bargain like that at PP, and TBH I notice no difference in wear at all. Cots, we bought one off TM (new but only $300). Kids are only in them for a short time anyway. The way I see it, most of us were brought up on a hell of a lot less than we give our kids today and I think we're probably better off for it. Kids don't need fancy stuff, in fact they don't remember it at all. What they remember is having mum and dad around, playing in mud and laughing 
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 8:56pm
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we did - and would again - pay more for her carseats, and the angel care monitor....actually thinking of selling the one I have to buy a new angel care if we get pg....well worth it....
*edit - we bought the AHR Meridian and I LOVE it...well worth it...shame my child grew too tall too fast!!** I thought cot was going to be most expensive but in end we got a great set (still about $1000) rather than going for a "name" brand like touchwood etc... and as for those $1000 highchairs...AHAHAHAHA no way buy a decent but cheapish one...i think we paid $180 - $200 for pretty good one...and portacots are so cheap - def worth getting one (under $100 everywhere now) so you have an option if going away or family etc.... |
Posted By: bun_in_the_oven
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 10:02pm
| borrow whatever you can too !! |
Posted By: X
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 10:35pm
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Also it probably depends how many babies you plan on having. If you are going to be having a few (three or more) then I think you are best getting new stuff that will last the distance. You really have no idea how second hand things are sometimes...they may have been resold a few times already.
Personally there are some things I would never buy second hand (car seats, capsules, matresses etc) from a safety aspect, but then each to their own. We bought almost everything new with DS, but now that we are expecting baby 2 everything is still in almost perfect condition, & we'll still be able to use it all for baby 3 (if we get there!). The way I see it the initial outlay was big but we'll get good mileage out of the stuff. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 18 February 2010 at 10:49pm
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doesnt always have to be new or expensive BUT certainly whatever suits your needs best (if you walk lots vs pram etc) or is of good quality (guess somtimes that does mean pricey!)...We got new P&T pram, cot, angelcare monitor and SnS miridian (SP?) carseats (carseats are the biggest concern for me)....those were the things i aimed at for quality etc above all else.
We bought a new highchair off a parallel importer off TM for $100 which i thought was a great price bcos it does the whole recline/up/down/wheels deal its just not a known brand
...hope that makes sense! lol...im tired! 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 7:26am
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We spent our money on Mountain buggy..so worth it (but got it on special), Angelcare monitor (mum bought it) and carseat...but didnt get the top one...we went middle of the range).
Cot, bassinett we got second hand...but bought new mattresses. |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 7:42am
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We got cot and bassinet mattresses new, and our carseats. The carseats (Safe n Sound) were on special for $280, down from $360 though. Everything else has been second hand! We bought cots from our bargains section ($20 each from memory) and have sanded them and painted them, FIL made the second bassinet to match the one we got that he used as a baby, dresser was from a second hand place, change table is borrowed from a friend....oh, and we hired capsules from the mUltiple Birth Club.
The only thing I wish we had researched more was the buggy. We got a second hand one from one of DH's workmates for $100, and it was bollocks. I recently upgraded to a MB, bought brand new, but only because they were 50% off at Farmers, so $450 which is not much more than you would pay for a 2nd hand one on TM. We never used a monitor. And will be looking at high chairs shortly 
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 7:54am
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I totally agree with highchairs. We bought a steelcraft engima at $189 full price.....I HATE IT!!! and I mean hate with a passion. It is so hard to clean, both the boys have to be propped up on towels under and behind them or else the are too low and too far away from the tray. When we go away to mum and dads they have a jolly jumper one (can get for under $100) and it is great. They sit upright, against the tray and less crevices to clean.
I dream of changing my highchair every meal! |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 8:14am
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We spent $$ on car seat - AHR meridian and it has been great, and also on the buggy, as I walk a lot and needed a decent buggy. We did buy almost everything new, but our parents gave us some of the big ticket items and the rest we bought on sale.
Shop around, as there are often sales on, sign up to loyalty programmes(e.g. at baby city) and if you are happy shopping online check out on line outlet/discount shops. I also buy H's clothes at the sales for the following season, and shop at outlet shops. I hate paying full price for anything! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 8:32am
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Most money - Carseat. Alot of seats in NZ have a very low RFing limit, which although they meet NZ safety standards doesnt automatically mean your child will be safe in a car accident!
This is a great site with info on extended RFing. We have also bought a seat from them. http://www.carseat.se/ - www.carseat.se The seat means DD will be RFing until she is atleast four. This shows what can happen when a toddler is FFing in an accident http://www.thestoryof5.com/2009/04/my-extended-rear-facing-toddler.html - link Scroll down to the video. I strongly advise you to research carseats, I wish I had done so earlier and lined up which seat to buy based on what will keep DD safe - not what is just adequate (because honestly I had never really put much thought into it!) Basically all other big items have been borrowed or bought second hand. You don't have to spend a fortune on a cot or a buggy. Baby items only cost how much you are prepared to spend! |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 9:33am
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I think if you have the money then spend it on a great carseat. A Brio for eg is quite expensive, but being able to RF your child for such a long time is more than "bells and whistles" IMO.
I also prefer to spend $ on PP clothes, they are the only ones that seem to last on my kids. Ive bought clothes from Farmers, T&T, JK and the Warehouse, but none of them last as long (both in fit and wear) as the PP ones. Issy has stuff that she is still wearing two years later (and they were second hand to start with). The only other thing we "splashed out" on was our baby monitor with the movementt pad and decent mattresses for the cots - I prefer to sleep on a decent mattress so I dont see why my kids wouldnt.
Everything else was second hand, hand me downs or pressies. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 10:09am
Definetly Lilfatty. I've just read through the replies properly and completely disagree with the 'bells & whistles'' mentality in regards to carseats. Spending more money on a seat that will RF for an extended period will keep your child a heck load more safer than when the child is sitting FFing. Scary thought, but so so true. If our safety standards were adequate, then extended RFing would be commonplace - unfortunetly that is not the case though. Research and look at things for yourself - don't take the salespersons' word as gospel! Here's another http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx - link showing crash tests for FFing seats and RFing seats. I sure wouldn't want that to be my child in the FFing position 
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lilfatty wrote:Posted By: WRXnKids
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 11:30am
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This is not a RF or FF thread so i think you can hold back on the preaching. Noone specified weight restrictions as bells and whistles.
We spent the money on a good mattress which would be the only thing i would insist on going all out on and a good carseat but not capsule (hired is just as good and most only fit in them until 6mths). Everything else can be hired or 2nd hand. In saying that my parents got us a new mountain buggy with every accessory but we insisted on a good pram as we were spending a lot of time at the drag track so to us that was important to us. We also brought an expensive cot and my parents got us a bassinette so we brought pretty much everything new but im the oldest of my sisters who arent having kids yet and we planned on 2 kids so know that the stuff will be going through a few kids so seemed worthwhile spending the money. My only new mum advice is get an easy wipe clean highchair as others have said and for the first few months baby gowns that have the drawstring at the bottom - best thing for changing bums in the middle of the night -------------   
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 11:41am
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I love buying baby stuff. I have spent heaps on prams as I used to use mine like a car & walk everywhere with 2 in the pram. I never buy car seats second hand & get good ones.
I go for safety first & also how long you are going to be able to use the item. My best buy was a exersaucer 
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Posted By: noisybaby
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 1:55pm
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You can't put a price on safety as far as we are concerned. We bought all brand new because we didnt get anything handed down to us. We bought the best capsule and carseat as to us its the only thing worth spending decent coin on. If your finances allow buy a carseat that RF for as long as possible. We still Rf DD and shes nearly 19mths and we will till she grows out of her carseat. which will Rf till 4. Just be careful when buying carseats/capsules when it comes to their shelf life. Not all carseats are created equal. Ask the sales people when you are looking.. The people at Baby on The Move are awesome when it comes to info. Use them to your advantage. Hey these are just my opinions too. Everyone has different ideas as to whats best. Clothes you can save heaps on by buying off trademe or on sale.
------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: sally belly
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 3:22pm
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The only things I have insisted on buying new are car seats & a cot mattress. I wanted to know the history of them before my kids use them...
We did buy a new P n T's pram before Oliver was born. We decided buying new seemed to be better value for money in the long run as they seem to have good resale value, when the time comes. One piece of advice I would offer is clothes - you really don't need too many. As some of the others have said, you usually get given lots & I now have the problem of having containers full of outgrown clothes I'm not really sure what to do with. Unless you have a really spilly baby, they don't generally go through many (if any) clothing changes in a day. Good luck  -------------    
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Posted By: Jelly
Date Posted: 19 February 2010 at 9:59pm
I haven't had bubs yet so can't say how many clothes he really needs, but almost all his clothes were from a second hand shop. Save mart is awesome, half the baby clothes still have the original price tags on so they're not really second hand as they've never been worn! Some of the cutest things he has were $5 from save mart, complete with original price tag 
I also wouldn't buy a secondhand mattress, I know it's probably fine but I wouldn't sleep on one myself so why should I make him? As for the pram... I'll tell you if I still adore my lower price range one when I've had bubs out for a walk in it! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 1:30am
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Im 50/50. Some things, particularly where safety is concerned, should be brand new IMO. I.e. Car seat/capsule, cot, matress, monitor, pram. These are all the things we bought brand new.
A lot of things we bought second hand, toys, exersaucer, rocker, bouncer, hammock, clothing, draws etc. DH made Jacksons side table and he fixed and painted the draws. We also laybyed when shops had nursery sales on. Ebay/Trademe is great for bulk buying clothes, toys and second hand baby gear. Oh and stock up during sales but make sure you buy the right size for your bubs for each particular season. I like PP, JK and other places like that, but they grow so fast they dont last in them long (I have things Jackson only wore once or twice, some never at all). Good for using with more than one bubs though ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 12:00pm
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We got new carseats for the kids, I didnt really feel comfortable buying second hand ones, out cots are new as well, but I would buy a second hand one if I knew it was good and sturdy.
Clothing, T & T have always served my kids well, I have T & T stuff that was Cadens that Isabella now wears now, in great condition. I wont spend money on PP stuff new, as its over priced in my opinion, however I will buy it off TM cheap
Highchairs, cheap is good and does the same job! ------------- |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 12:55pm
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I got a highchair for about $130 6 years ago. It' still doing really well! It stored well in the shed too!
it's like one that you would use in a cafe. Basically like this http://www.babyfactory.co.nz/products/group/6/page/1/style/77000/ - linky Real easy to clean, can take away with us if we want. Not as flash as other but It's been brilliant. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 3:30pm
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We have that highchair (well like that one, don't know if it's the same brand) - so much easier than other ones we looked at with too many crevasses.
As for bells and whistles, I for one was referring to cup holders, extra arm rests etc etc NOT rear facing. Both of my kids have grown out of their carseats lengthwise before weightwise so aren't RF any more, and even my friend who has her son RF in a Brio has just changed him to FF (at 2) because he's just about at the weight and height limit. So sometimes, even buying the more expensive ones doesn't mean you're going to have more luck with it. My son at 2 could still be RF if I wanted him to be, but I was sick of the tantrums and carsickness, |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 6:43pm
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I only had my kids in RF car seats till they out grow their capsules 10mths -1yr approx & then they went into FF car seat that could recline. I found it a lot easier & they enjoyed it.
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 20 February 2010 at 10:59pm
I apologise emz - I misread the intent of your post I haveto admit that I myself hadn't given much thought about carseats for DD. I visited two big 'baby stores' while looking into seats, where I dare say many parents buy their carseats from and was given advice that I later found to be a load of bollocks. They were certainly convincing and I hate to think of the many people who have bought carseats based on their advice. Thankfully I didn't buy on the spot and researched a little further.
As for the Brio, I have heard of many children who have unfortunetly outgrown the height restrictions well before the 25kg weight limit and well before reaching 4yrs old. Good thing to note though is seats can be imported and are legal to use here from Europe - NZ recognises EU safety standards and there are quite a few seats particularly from Sweden that can be imported here for around the same price as a Brio. Ok, I'll stop my 'preaching' there
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Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 21 February 2010 at 1:36am
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I prefer PP and they are much better quality. A few years ago I brought a top from Farmers for his daycare clothes and it shrunk so much it look it will fit a one year old, and DD had a hoodie from JK and the zip broke after 4 months of wearing it so just buy the odd thing. Was in Farmers the other day and the price of their clothing were almost the same price as PP so rather spend a little bit more on better quality. We don't get hand me downs from anyone so everything we have bought has been brand new and I am really fussy when it comes to certain things. When I was pregnant with DD I brought everything brand new and only shop during sales and saved a bundle. |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 21 February 2010 at 9:49am
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i agree with lilfatty and mamm2N about researching into carseats...
we brought a new cot years ago and it is still going strong for child no 3. i used a second hand highchair and bouncintte that i got off a friend and they were in such good condition after 2 of my kids finished with them i passed them on. i dont think bells and whistles are important when it comes to highchairs and really liked the mocka designer one i got for eden. pushchairs... really research them too. i brought a MB when pregnant with first and regretted it. i hd troubles with the wheels and it was so wide. then when no 2 came along i found out they dont take a toddler seat. so i didnt plan that purchase well at all. i think lots of looking around and comparison shopping is the way to go, and spending big isnt always necessary. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: pikelets
Date Posted: 21 February 2010 at 1:28pm
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I think expensive nappy bags are a waste of money. I brought a $20 one from Baby factory that I can hang from the pram handle. Love it.
PP clothes are great presents, hand-me-downs or buy them from the outlet shop, definately good quality. I actually have found K-mart clothes good value and quality. Change table - we got given one of those foldup ones and that is great for storing in between babies and they are cheap. Expensive isn't always better but I agree with noiseybaby - you can't put a price on safety. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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