My obsession with thrifting/garage-saling/craigslist-ing could be considered a disease. There’s something so thrilling about browsing other people’s unwanted used items. I cannot explain it. and Nick is a little annoyed by it.
BUT… in my defense: finding bargain furniture has contributed some to our income.
Annnnnnnnnnd, not only that, we’re able to purchase baby items that would otherwise cost a fortune. Some things you HAVE to have for your baby. But some things aren’t entirely necessary, but definitely make your life a lot easier.
I give you Exhibit A
We bought this well-loved-but-still-in-great-condition double jogging stroller for $20. Not because I want to go jogging, but because it allows us to take the girls on walks around our acreage on the grass and along our nature trail (since we don’t have sidewalks within 3 miles of our house). Every night after supper, we go for a walk as a family before the girls go to bed. That time is priceless. This stroller will likely never leave the acreage (it’s not exactly handy to throw in the trunk for a trip to the store), except maybe to go camping with the fam this summer. I call it ‘the mountain bike of strollers’. You can’t go off-roading in any ol’ stroller!
Exhibit B
Twin garage sales are the best. We found these matching Little Tykes swings for $5 each, and have allowed the girls hours of outdoor entertainment. It’s amazing how simple little things can bring such joy.
Exhibit C
I’m not one to dress the girls all matchy (obviously)… but one item I wanted matching are the girls’ highchairs. They’re going to be a permanent fixture in our kitchen/dining room design for quite awhile, and I just didn’t want two totally different high chairs, ok? Geez! We fed the girls in their Bumbos for a good long time while I kept my little eye out for two matchy highchairs. And wouldn’t you know it, I found some on craigslist for $20 each! They’re on the older side, but I like that they’re neutral-ish, and kinda vintage feeling. They’re in great shape… and not only do they make mealtime a LOT easier, they allow me to have the girls in the kitchen with me when I’m cooking or baking cookies! They love to help, and chew on utensils. For those that are wondering, Paisley no longer does this. She figured out how to get the puffs in her mouth! …crazy girl.
And finally, Exhibit D
These Britax Marathon carseats are the Cadillac of carseats. When it comes to safety, we’re not ones to cut corners. So when I found these, I was overjoyed! I talked this lady down to $50 each… when they cost upwards of $250 brand new EACH! I made sure to do my research on expiration dates and whatnot. And I’m so happy to get these suckers installed in the Jeep! The girls look like toddlers hanging out of their tiny infant seats. “fat guy in a little coat” …Bahahaha!
So my ‘obsession’ with thrifting/garage-saling/craigslist-ing is totally paying off! All this stuff would have cost us close to $1,000 brand new. But what’s wrong with taking advantage of other peoples’ cast-offs?! Have you guys found any incredible bargains recently?
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I woulda bought the car seats too. I’m guessing people who buy $250 car seatsdon’t “immerse them in water.”
when i got to the end of your post and read the “fat guy in a little coat” i about died. we sing that here in my house ALL THE TIME. our other favorite is, “it doesn’t hurt so much here or here, but right here…” 🙂 love your blog!
Bargains are fantastic, but one thing you should never, ever buy used is a car seat. While you may have checked expiration dates and whatnot, you do not know if they were in an accident, which is something only the original owner can know. you also dont know how they were cared for – the straps, if immersed in water are weakened, they should only be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Please, please consider buying your own car seats, new in the box. You cannot put a price on safety or your babes lives.
I too am obsessed with bargains, and love to shop thrift stores, and yard sales. But i have to say, with weather so hot here all the time, I find myself shopping a lot of craigslist and ebay deals, more. That way there is no going in and out of the car in the heat all day! Love the pics! Very cute! Joy at http://www.joyfulsearches.blogspot.com
Love garage sales. I am sooo excited for the “season” to get into full swing! I bought a Fisher Price high chair (the kind that buckles onto a normal dining chair and later can transform into a booster) that was neutral in color, and after some heavy old-food-removal, looked brand new—for $5. Normally retails for $45!
There is nothing wrong with loving to shop used! As long as it’s something you need, lol. For my son, we use clothe diapers and I need a heavy duty cover for night time and that’s when I discovered wool. A brand new wool cover can cost $25 – $65 depending on brand & style….I bought some old wool sweaters for 1 buck each and sewed them into diaper covers and pants!!!!
Love other peoples cast offs my treasures to be!
It makes me really happy to know that I’m not the only CL/Thrift store junkie designer out there. 🙂 Most of our house is furnished with CL/ebay/thrift store finds! I’m a lucky girl that my mom was the one who passed down her bargain illness so our kiddos are always well decked out in all of her awesome finds as well as mine. One of my all time great finds was our Green Sleep organic mattress that sells for over $5000 but that we got for $200! I haven’t had a great score lately outside of some super cute dresses for mom and daughter alike, but your posts always inspire me to keep looking! The little ladies look absolutely adorable in the stroller & swings!
I agree I love to go out to craigslist, got soem great chairs for my mom a while back. Good job. Love those babies, so cute. Mary in NY
Nice job! the stroller is awesome, jealous! And pretty car seats!