Do you think less of parents you see out and about that have their kids in stuff like...?

Question

Cheap car seats and strollers, Wal-Mart shoes and clothes, and etc? I am guilty of all the above. I feel bad that I just re-used a hand me down car seat and bought another stroller that is not a mate for it when I had my baby. I feel like everyone else in the world had all the high speed stuff, and I always feel like shi@t when I see those cute little $200 combos that I just didn't get for my kid. Well, do you look down on people like us? If so, why? I dress myself in Wal-Mart clothes too. I buy myself cheap things. We are not broke, just thrifty. But it still makes me feel bad sometimes.

Oh, the combo I am referring to is not clothing, it's those insanely high priced travel systems with the infant seat you may use for 5 months if you are lucky, and the cute matching stroller. The cheapest new one I have ever bore witness to was $178 in Target or Wal-Mart, I forget. Anyway, just wanted to clarify.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with hand me down cloths for babies, for my kids we used hand me downs kids grow so fast why waste the money, we bought a really nice crib and high car for 50 dollars a yard sale it was less then 2 years old and new cost about 250, we still got it, I loaned it to my brother for his kids and he even loaned it to someone and I eventually got it back. My wife sewed several little sleepers for my son and daughter. It's easy to find good used baby clothes. Now that my kids are teens it's not that simple anymore, I do spoil them with clothes, computers, Playstations, IPODS and every other thing that comes out, of course I can afford it now because I didn't waste 200.00 on baby stuff just to impress someone I don't even know. Stay thrifty you will be glad you did.

Answer 2

I'm going to be completly honest here...... sometimes I do look at people different in these situations. It's one thing if you can't afford nice things but I am a single mother and I get no child support but I always manage to get my daughter some really nice things. Even if it's adorable brand name things from nice as new it's still nice but I buy her a lot of clothes from Target and never wal-mart just because for the very little more it costs target is much trendier and uses much better material. Every season I buy here a couple really nice outfits from Oshkosh or Gap for holidays and days out and the rest is from Target. I do pay the extra price for some things because a lot of times the more expensive items are better quality.... ie comfy strollers or softer clothes safer car seats (5 pt harness). I guess mabey it's because I'm young (19) but I feel like you only get to have so many kids I want to make the best of it and I want my daughter to not feel left out when she's in school the way I did by not having things other kids do.

Answer 3

I feel bad when I see kids who are wearing dirty clothes and are neglected but also feel sorry for kids who have "everything". They are being taught that materialism is what's important. If you're loving your children and teaching them to be decent people you should be proud of yourself for also teaching them thriftiness.

I happen to have some Wal-Mart shirts, bought them a few years ago for working around the house and in the yard. They've been worn and washed over and over and still look great. Quality doesn't necessarily come with a high price, my outfit from Nordstroms fell apart after two dry-cleanings.

I might be a bit concerned with the second-hand car seat. Please be sure that it's up to current standards. Also, just in case you're tempted, never buy a used bicycle helmet.

Answer 4

You should not feel bad. At least they have clothes on their back. I do not look down on people for not being wealthy. I lived in a lower class home when i was growing up and did not have any name brand things and was made fun of. IT hurt me so bad sometimes. Now i know those people were so wrong and cruel. Now i am in a upper class and i still do not buy extravagant things. What is the point? People can look down on me all they want, but they are no better then anyone else. It is what is inside that counts. They may be sporting their high dollar clothes and cars, but they are ugly and unhappy people on the inside.

Answer 5

It's hard but I just don't care what other people think. I focus on what is right and what is in my budget. If someone has a problem they probably would not say anything anyways because we have become a nation of don't hurt anyone's feelings. Which is sad. Also your kid will not miss out on anything, while others are spending all this money now, you can save money for later(college) which counts. So don't lose heart, when your kid is going to an Ivy school ;your neighbor may be going to bankruptcy court. Jim Frank

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with being thrifty. Why spend over $200 on a combo, when you can get one at walmart for half that? I shop at walmart for my baby items because the out grow them so fast, I can't see spending an arm and leg for clothes that I have to go back in a month or so and do again. They just grow to fast!!

Answer 7

Most of the people I know are as thrifty as possible these days..when prices are at a premium. You know..in terms of things that are just "things" why do you feel so badly about the car seat? Ask yourself why you wonder if others look down on you? I think if you think way back into your childhood..you might be able to pinpoint a feeling you had about new/used things that led to your present feelings about the issue.

Also...things are just things. People matter the most! Good luck!

Answer 8

Don't feel guilty. You are making a base for your children to grow up on that they will learn from. You do good for your children by showing them that it's not always about what you spend, rather how you spend it. I will admit that I have one of those "fancy" strollers, however, I have a membership for a place to buy things at cost so I paid dirt cheap for it. And I have learned from experience that I find Wal-Mart clothes very cheaply made ( I wear them myself, just not for my kids). In my defense, I have 5 children so I tend to spend more on their clothing, beds, winter & spring coats & boots, etc. So I do hand me down. I only have 1 boy so he kinda lucks out there. But yes, you are doing good. By saving $$ on unnessesary items you don't need, you can do more for the future of your family. :)

Answer 9

Why? I know what's important in life and it's not the label on my kids carseat or stroller. If they are safe, and in any collision, no matter what kind of contraption you have for your child, they could die if the accident is bad enough either way.
You shouldn't let what other people think or what you think they may think of you run your life. You do what's best for you and your family. I think it's smart to be thrifty and if something is still useable and in good condition why not pass it on instead of throw it away? If you want my honest opinion, people who focus so much on material things don't have the first clue about what's important in life...and material things will only make you happy for a moment. Things wear out...and get thrown away. Think about what really counts...what will really matter 10 years from now...I'm sure it won't be what kind of carseat your kiddo planted his behind in.

Answer 10

If you dressed yourself in Christian Dior your husband in Armani and dressed the kids in hand-me downs...then I'd look down on you.

I personally don't understand people that dress their kids in Guess, Hillfinger, Nike etc...when there are so many children in this country that have only rags given to them by some charity.

We dress our kids in a lot of discount apparell, provided it is decent/appropriate. we tend to buy a better shoe, though for the little feet that are growing.

By doing this and other thrifty things, we've been able to help some less fortunate souls with their needs. Guess I'll never be a millionare doing this; but, I've got treasures that tycoons never even dreamed of.