Sunday, September 7, 2008

Obsessed?

Okay everyone, I'm admitting that I have a problem. I'm not sure if I'm obsessed or addicted, but it's confession time. I have spent the last month addicted to craigslist. I've been blown away at how expensive baby gear gets! How much of this stuff do people actually use? Anyway, this obsession initially started when I was looking for cribs online. I started comparing prices between target, walmart, pottery barn, and I decided to try Craigslist. I started finding these great deals on cribs... and that quickly spiraled downward with a glider, changing table, travel system, baby bjorn, swing and two bouncy chairs. My thrifty side got the better of me and I couldn't pass up a good deal! I have been lucky that all of the gear is in VERY good condition and some of it has never been used. My grand total? Less than $300. I think Andrew will be grateful to have his Saturdays back to normal rather than waiting to see if we can go make a "pickup". I keep telling him he will be grateful for all of this stuff, but I don't think he'll really understand until we have a little screamer too. Here are a few photos after I started to get everything put away. I still have miles to go, but I think this is a start! We accidently stole the toy that's hanging on the side of the crib... woops! It was in one of the changing table baskets and I'm not driving an hour to take it back. The Glider is in the process of being painted and covered- You get the idea. After this, I have been banned from "projects" until we are in a house. (Or, I just have to keep them a seceret from Andrew) I should also add that people have been very generous to our little family. I met one lady who was just looking to cut her losses and gave the travel system, 2 bases, 2 bouncers, a swing, and the bjorn- for practically nothing. She even offered to help us out with the baby and keep our contact information so she can give us her hand me downs later on. On top of her sweet generosity, she is also a neat freak. Score for the Barons! Thanks, for letting me talk about my problem. Hopefully I'm finished... for a little while :0)

15 comments:

Whitney R said...

I'm having a hard time understanding why that's a problem... haha. Someone giving you stuff that will save you hundreds of dollars?? That's great! And if she is a neat freak then even her hand me downs won't look second hand.

Ryan and Ashley said...

WOW! That is a lot of baby stuff, but Im sure you will use all of it...right? It all looks so cute and brand new that room is coming together, you are a craigslist pro!

Nathan said...

I think you have the same bouncer that we have. It worked really well with Katelyn, but I think it's starting to get worn out. Just a warning, it gets kinda wierd when the batteries are running low. Don't be scared, it just adds some excitement to the music.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you got all that stuff for less than 300. You got an awesome deal. Now that you have been pricing things you can see why they say kids are expensive.

Mandy said...

I've been really lucky with the good deals. I think they were good deals by craigslist standards too. We told little Austin he could come... but that he wasn't done yet. No flashlight yet!

Zarah said...

That's awesome that you've gotten such great deals! I bet that helps things out a lot. Everything looks wicked cute.

Esther said...

No way! You got all that for under $300! Great job, you're an awesome deal finder!

Miller Family said...

Craigslist is awesome! And it looks like you are really taking advantage of it. One suggestion I have is, we got the Graco travel system (on craigslist also) and it is great, but huge. So I went and found the Graco stroller frame on craigslist and I love it. I hardly use the big one anymore, but I'm sure we will when he is older. The frame is just so much lighter and easier to cart around, especially when I am by myself. Anyway, just a suggestion, I know different things work for different people. It looks like you are ready for this little guy to come anytime now :)

Mandy said...

That's really good advice! I'll have to see if I can find one.

Melynda said...

OH Mandy way to go!!!!! Looks like you scored big...Andrew should be thrilled :) I am glad you are getting ready for this little guy. How are you feeling? I need to call you cause I need your address...I am sorry it has taken so long...I want to see some updated pics of you :)

Melynda said...

Okay so I spoke too soon :) I did not scroll down and see the pics below this post...you look SO adorable!! What a cute preggo you are :) I am so happy that things are going well...it won't be long now :)

Jen Bowen said...

Impressive deal finding. Baby stuff gets expensive. I don't know what we would have done if friends and family hadn't been so amazingly generous. I'm interested to see how the glider turns out.

elise and jeff said...

Hey Andrew it's Elise, I saw your link on Amber's and want to say CONGRATS on the baby! How awesome that ya'll are both graduated and such accomplished parents :)

Nathan Stephanie Gilbert Family said...

Holy Hannah thats alot of loot. I think we are going to start looking here for some good deals.

Krystal said...

Hi Mandy! Looks like you're having fun:) Good job with the deals! We loved craigslist when we were getting all Kily's gear. The store prices for all the stuff are ridiculous! :)