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Toddler-friendly on a Budget
16 Ways to Save Money on the Care and Feeding of Your Toddler
By Amy Henry
5. Shop the big sales. "I always buy things like winter coats at the end of the season," says Hughes, who bought her daughter a $70 coat off the clearance rack for $20. Tip: To give your toddler "grow room," purchase end-of-season garments in a size or two larger.
6. Hold a kids' fashion swap. Get together with five to eight friends who have children of varying ages. Each family puts out their giveaway clothes on a table for other families to browse and choose from. Make it a party with pizza or a potluck.
7. Look for tag sales billed as "family" or "children's." Samuel also combs Craigslist for secondhand toys, a great way to get big-ticket items for a fraction of their original price. Remember, toys don't have to be new to be new to your child.
8. Shop for birthday and holiday gifts year round. You can take advantage of great savings when they occur, and your budget won't take the strain all at once. Tip: Store the gifts all in one place so you won't be guessing what you bought or where you put it.
9. Become a devotee of your public library. Lush, colorful illustrations make picture books expensive – $15 or more a pop – but libraries make them free for your children to enjoy. Most libraries also allow you to borrow children's videos, DVDs and CDs.
10. Kids tend to play obsessively with a new toy until the magic fades. When boredom sets in, arrange to swap a toy with a friend's or relative's kids for a week or two. Kids also tend to be possessive about their toys, so be sure your toddler understands she will get her toy back.