After becoming a parent around half a year ago I’ve been trying to become more intentional about my buying patterns and becoming more frugal. not just buying less, but also avoiding overconsumption in general. Part of it is wanting to set a better example, but also realizing how much stuff I used to overpay.
Where I’m a bit stuck is this: I want to own fewer things and spend less, but where’s the line between cheap and actually frugal? If something costs more upfront, but lasts for years and you use it every single day, is that actually the more frugal option?
One small example is a pillow. I used to buy a cheap one every year because they’d go flat. Didn’t think much of it. $20–$25 and done. But over time that obviously adds up. Recently switched to an adjustable shredded memory foam pillow (bought mine from Kozi for 60$).
Rough math:
$25 pillow replaced yearly = $125 over 5 years vs $60 pillow lasting 5 years = less money + less waste
I’m not trying to justify spending more for the sake of it. Just trying to figure out how people here think about that tradeoff.
Any other insights?
Trying to become more frugal after becoming a parent
byu/Froek15 inFrugal
Posted by Froek15
6 Comments
For me, being frugal means spending money thoughtfully. Identify what is important to you. Is it going on a trip once a year to see family in other parts of the world? Paying off your house early? It can also be something as small as a really nice shampoo that makes you happy. Let those things lead you!!
You don’t necessarily know how long something is going to last based on how expensive it is, especially in our modern world where so many things are made in the same factory and just have different labels slapped onto them. Do the best you can but don’t aim for perfection.
Library, parks, anything free / for public.
Buy cheap if you won’t use it much. If you use it enough to break it, buy better quality.
I bought a cheap hand mixer and the beaters got rusty within a year so I got a better one. I wouldn’t buy a cheap one of those.
Dog grooming kit I spent more on because my dogs hate haircuts so a faster quieter one was worth it.
If it’s something I eat out of, I pay more for no plastic or less plastic.
Been noticing these ai posts because they always use the phrase “intentional” about buying stuff/purchases. Clear give away.
When it comes to baby stuff I figure that if I’m going to use it for multiple children then I’m ok with spending a bit more money and buying just once.
That $1,000 pram we bought when our oldest was born? Now onto its fourth child and still pushes like a dream despite going for literally thousands of miles.
The exersaucer we technically didn’t need? Lifesaver for our colicky third child and has now in use by a fourth family.
The tshirts that got wrecked at daycare? All bought secondhand or handed down from friends.
Being frugal with kids is exceptionally difficult. It’s much more difficult than people without kids realize… There’s always something you need to buy, especially if they’re in activities or extracurriculars, school, etc. I would say that marketplace is going to be your best friend as a parent. Get on Facebook and see what other parents are selling that you were in need of and then if they’re still in good enough condition resell them or donate them down the line. For instance: bottles (without nipples), breast pump, baby lounger, baby swing, all of the baby clothes, crib, toys, stroller, etc. All of that can be purchased secondhand!