Iโm a mom on a budget. There are things I want and there are things I need, and somewhere in the middle I find my happy place. Sales are my best friend and I am a die-hard review reader. I want – no, need – the best bang for my buck.
So, you might be surprised to hear that I am ready and willing to splurge on higher-end items when it comes to my kids. Because hereโs what Iโve learned four babies later: Usually a higher-end item boasts quality โ and quality means I just might get a second, third, and fourth use out of it.
See the math there? When it comes to making purchases for your kids, via your baby registry or otherwise, sometimes the more expensive thing is totally worth it BECAUSE IT WILL LAST LONGER thus making the price/use lower than if you initially bought a cheaper version.
There are a few items I've been able to pass through all four of my kids. And if you have kids or will very soon have kids, you know that they're are rough and tumble. They donโt go easy on their clothes, baby equipment gets loved, and toys get played with HARD.
If youโre building your baby registry, take a gander at some of these brands and specific items. They are hands-down worth it, if you ask me! A little more expensive on the front end, but in the long term, they pretty much pay for themselves!
Hanna Andersson pajamas
Donโt get me wrong, I love the trendy pieces of kids clothing that you can pick up during weekly errands, but when it comes to longevity, those things rarely make it through more than one kid. Hanna Andersson on the other hand, well, that stuff is built to last! My fourth child is currently wearing pajamas that all three of his siblings have worn and when heโs done Iโll be able to pass them on to my sister who just had a baby! Regular price, their pajamas are expensive, but catch a good sale and your price/wear over a few kids will get down to pennies!
BOB stroller
If you want an all-terrain stroller, just get a BOB. You wonโt be sorry. Even a used older model is great! Over the years Iโve put both a single and double to the test and not only have they served me well, but I know their resale value is great so in the end Iโll barely be out what a cheaper jogging stroller costs new.
All the shoes
Kids love on their shoes so hard. As tempting as it is to collect all the cute, colorful and trendy ones, remember that kids feet grow FAST. Invest in 1 to 3 pairs of quality shoes for each size, then expect to hand down or resell to recoup the initial investment. I have seen many wears out of Salt Water sandals, Freshly Picked moccasins, Hunter boots, See Kai Run, and Natives. Also, until theyโre walking, shoes really arenโt necessary. Skip the spendy crib shoes and just buy a few fun socks to keep their tootsies warm.
Ingrid + Isabel maternity leggings
At $88 for their thick workout leggings with crossover panel, I cringed as I hit โsubmit orderโ, but now that Iโve worn them for a few pregnancies (not for working out, just for life!), I feel like they were one of my best pregnancy purchases. They wash great and are the perfect thickness and stretch to constitute real pants. I lived in them and they still look new.
Ravensburger puzzles
Do not buy cheap puzzles. I repeat, do not buy the cheap ones. The pieces donโt click together well and everyone gets frustrated. Ravensburger on the other hand, are the best puzzles around! They have baby ones all the way up to adult. Choose these classic, quality puzzles โ you wonโt be sorry!
Diono car seats
Whatever you do, buy a birth to booster style car seat. They cost more in the beginning (about $300), but youโll never have to buy another. My oldest just graduated from her car seat at 8 years old! $300 divided by 8 years is just $37.50 per year. Her Diono doesnโt expire for two more years, so now we have a spare for our second car that her brothers can use when needed. And, in the beginning, I caught an Amazon sale and only paid $220. Know what you want and then watch it like a hawk so you can snag quality at the best possible price!
Aden + Anais blanket
With my first I collected every cute blanket I laid my eyes on. Later, I learned that a mountain of baby blankets just isnโt necessary. At almost $55, the Aden + Anais Bamboo Dream Blanket is THE blanket to invest in. They get better/softer with every wash!