How much do you spend on non-essential baby-related things each month?

By banana Apr 4, 2012

I was surprised to find out that my best friend spends $400 a month on non-essential baby things (like toys, books, arts/crafts, clothes). She blames it on blogs, reviews and steal sites. She's one of those people that has to try the newest and latest baby products. If enough mommies recommend something, she has to try it! She has over 20 sippy cups, every sleep sack and blanket ever made, and random little gadgets here and there. And this on top of all the the essential things she buys, like diapers, some necessary clothes, wipes, etc.

I usually spend on average $50-$100 a month on the non-essentials.

Besides the essential things, how much do you spend each month on baby-related items?

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18 comments

Andrea
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts

Apr 4, 2012

It depends on the month. Some months are probably zero. We have a trip coming up so I have been buying some things to keep her occupied on the plane. And I bought her a little rolling suitcase. HAHA. I die - it is soooooo cute.
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Apr 4, 2012

Probably around $100, I usually am buying some kind of entertainment item...toys, things for sensory play, that kind of thing. I love anything with animals on it.
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@andrea: Rolling suitcases are so cute! I'm dying to get my son a backpack!
Andrea
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@banana: she won't wear a backpack so i am going to try the suitcase. i think she'll be more into it b/c of the wheels.
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@andrea: She will probably love it! I let my son play with a wheeled suitcase at Target a few weeks ago and he wouldn't let it go! He loved it! We almost had to buy it for him. But my DH is INSISTENT that we don't spoil him so we didn't buy it. I was so sad because I know he would've LOVED it. Oh well,
Andrea
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@banana: aww, no trips coming up to use as an excuse to buy it??
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Apr 4, 2012

Wow. I rarely buy something I don't need for lo. She gets so spoiled by her grandparents so I don't have to!
BabyLove
apricot / 489 posts

Apr 4, 2012

Entirely too much. I've realized lately that I'm OUT OF CONTROL. I'm going to cut back. I have to cut back. I've gone from splurging on myself to splurging on her, it was almost an overnight transformation. I don't want to create a monster though, so I'm going to be mindful of what I buy for her from now on.
mrstilly
clementine / 889 posts

Apr 4, 2012

Um, nothing? DS has a ton of toys from Christmas, and he just turned 1 so he got more stuff (and more is coming this weekend). I'm not really into buying lots of stuff for him. There are lots of things around the house, in addition to the toys that he already has, that he plays with (tupperwear, measuring cups, etc...)

I'm sure once he's older we will be spending more on arts and crafts stuff as well as sensory stuff. Although we'll probably keep that simple too, using what we can from around the house.

The only things we spend money on are clothes, food, formula, wipes and the occasional pack of diapers for night time or traveling.
chopsuey
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts

Apr 4, 2012

I think it depends on the month, but! We usually don't spend anything on non-essentials. That's what grandparents and aunts are for! Every 3-6 months I'll drop about $100 on clothes. That's about it.
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Apr 4, 2012

So I said that we don't buy non essentials.... but I've been thinking about that egg mold since I saw that post. LO doesn't even eat eggs yet! But I think I have to have it.
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@artbee: I actually initially thought I spend $0 per month but when I really sat down and thought about it, I actually spend more than I thought! I recently ordered a mickey mouse blanket for my son (even though he doesn't need a new blanket - he just loves mickey mouse) and after reading Mr. Bee's review about that noise maker machine, I'm considering getting one of those too. And that egg mold thing looks SUPER cute!
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@andrea: No trips planned. We're planning on going to Disneyworld next year. But that's a year away so I can't really justify buying a wheelie suitcase for something that's a year away. Darn!
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@banana: Luckily (well unluckily) we have a tiny house and not very much money right now. So that stops me from getting things we don't need. But I'm pretty sure that egg mold is a need
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 4, 2012

@artbee: Yes, the egg mold is definitely a need.
Mrs. Pen
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts

Apr 4, 2012

At this point, nothing. It's tempting, but he has all he needs and we don't really have extra money for that stuff. I'm sure as he gets older and starts playing with toys and reading books it will get more frequent. I am a book whore so I'm sure we'll be taking tons of trips to the library, then to barnes and noble. I will probably buy him whatever book he asked for lol
808love
pomelo / 5866 posts

Apr 5, 2012

My budget is $50 but I think it's closer to $100. I should start tracking. Tonight I bought a goldfish cracker holder in the shape of a goldfish for $2.50 at the grocery store. Total impulse. My LO can't even eat cheese, much less the cheesy goldfish. Ah well, I want it anyway...for ummmm. .....
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@808love: I always see those goldfish cracker containers at the supermarket and I'm always tempted to buy one! They're so cute but not sure what I would do with them. I feel the same way about these little round hot/cold gel packs that have these animal faces on them. So cute but not sure what I would do with them.

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How much do you spend on non-essential baby-related things each month?

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