10 Tips on How to Save Money on Children’s Toys
Toys is something that children keep wanting, they just can’t get enough of them, egged on by television and by peers who boast of their new acquisitions. That can be hard on the family budget with some high tech modern toys setting parents back hundreds of dollars. If you’re not careful, toys can take a massive wad out of your wallet.
So, a couple of hints about how you can control the toy issue may be very much welcome. Well, there are ways you can employ to save and let your kid have fun.
Throw a toy get-together
If your child has grown bored with her toys, there is no reason to get rid of them and go purchasing new ones. Invite a few friends and neighbors with their children, and ask them to bring over some toys they can easily part with. Prepare food and organize games which will help re-distribute the toys so that every little participant can leave with a new set of toys. No need to go to the store for new ones!
Consider thrift shops
Even if you never buy anything in these shops, you may find there good toys that won’t cost much. Give it a chance to save you money.
Try rummage sales
When people are moving out or doing a big cleaning, they often get rid of loads of good stuff, toys included. Devote one Saturday to attending local rummage sales and see if you get something you like (not only toys, probably!)
Collect played-out toys in a box
As your kid loses interest in toys, pile them up in a box and put it away into a closet. Arrange with a friend or a neighbor to do the same, and when the boxes get filled up, make an exchange.
Make toys yourself
Parents can make great toys when they get down to it. Get in touch with your creative inner self and start turning out blocks, buildings, kites and what not. That will come out much cheaper, and if you involve the kid in making them, it will be even better. Painting and decorating home-made toys can be a big fun!
Buy toys after Christmas
Once the rush is past, stores wish to sell out the stocks, and it’s a great chance to make good bargains. While you’re at it, go to other sales, especially those when stores close down. Enjoy a profitable hunt!
Go for green
Whenever you can, choose environment friendly toys – thus you help our planet stay green (and begin teaching your children about the environment issues) and opt for more safety and cheapness. You can be sure there are no PVC materials or toxic paints; wooden toys are much pleasanter and likely to serve longer. Toys that need no batteries can also be healthier.
Stir up the kids’ imagination
Inspire your little ones into expressing themselves with paint, or beads, or colored paper and glue. When walking outdoors, pick up sticks, leaves, other interesting bits and odds, and think of how they can be used in a game. At home you can build forts with odd pieces of furniture and old carpets or bedsheets. See how far your imagination can take you.
Make use of coupons and find online sales
Get discount coupons wherever you can, especially online, and don’t forget to browse on Craiglist or Freecycle for what you can get free.
Keep need in check
When money-saving principle comes first, it’s time to work on your needs. Talk to your kid about the consumer society, explain how commercials incite people to buying more and more, although the produce-consume cycle is harmful for the environment. Tell them there are children somewhere out in the world who have no toys. So, instead of trying to get any new toy that comes on the market, they may start thinking about helping others. Maybe the time has come to grow up.
