How Much Should You Spend on Baby Items?

Well I feel like a cheap-o.  I often compile lists of baby/mommy must-haves, and after reading another such list on another such blog, my jaw dropped and my eyes bulged and my brain said, "Are you kidding me!?"

When you think of a good price on a handbag, what do you think?  I'll tell you what I think: twenty bucks.  I was shocked to see a sentence that went something like this: With today's tough economy, the $400 price tag on this hand bag is a great value..."  Maybe it's my "poor as dirt" upbringing, or my particular geographical environment teeming with penny-pinchers, but I simply could not justify spending almost a month's worth of grocery money on something like a handbag.  

I justify such an attitude thusly: That item is very trendy.  It will likely be out of style next year.  I should just spend my money on something far less expensive if I'm just going to get a newer, trendier bag next year/season.  Also, that bag will not match with everything, so I should instead spend far less money on getting two, or even three handbags so that I can switch it up.

Am I alone here?  Sure, I dream of a day when I can spend more than $8 for a pair of jeans at the local thrift store (although I get a smal thrill when I find a great deal there).  I long for a time when I can get all new dishes that actually match, don't have chips in them, and were not on sale at the time of our wedding 9 years ago.  But I like to think that even if I was rolling in the dough, I would not spend $1200 on a stroller, $160 on a pair of baby shoes, or $125 on mascara. 

Maybe it's because right now I know where every single penny goes.  I time bills and groceries and gas tank fill-ups around pay day.  I check Craig's List almost religiously.  Maybe when things are tight, you are tight.  At times it's tough, but I feel good about it.  I have a streak of hippie chick, the old "reduce, reuse, recycle", less-is-more kind of attitude.  (Ironically, that $400 bag was called "The Hippie Chic" bag.  I don't think a lot of actual hippie chicks are buying it.)

So here's my breakdown of a few must-haves, and how much I paid for them.

Baby Gear

• Baby Trend Phantom Car Seat: rated #1 by Consumer Reports Magazine.  Originally $110.  I paid $45 to a girl from Craig's List who got 3 car seats at baby showers.
• Baby Trend Sit 'n Stand Stoller:  $150.  The first thing I ever bought brand new, and the most expensive.  Bought when I had my 2nd baby so my 1st could easily get on and off, and it's been worth every penny.  Still using it regularly after5 years. I can load 4 kids on that thing!
• Fisher Price Soothing Sounds Bouncer:  $8 at thrift store.  Took it all apart, washed everything, and it was like brand new!  This is one of the most used items when I have a baby around.  I love bouncer seats.
• Graco Baby Swing:  Free from a friend who never used hers.  Gave it away for free because I never used it, either.  Loved the bouncer over the swing.
• Peacock Tote bag: $18, brand new, on sale.  It was so super cute and fit all my baby gear in it: diapers, wipes, blankie, toys, wallet, keys, cell phone.  Then I got done having to carry a diaper bag and did not feel the least bit bad about donating it to the thrift store. 
• HugaMonkey Baby Sling:  Free, because I'm the boss, that's why.  But even this tight-wad penny pincher would spend $30 on a brand new one because I use it almost every day for the first year, and quite regularly for up to two years after that.  Worth every single penny and then some!

Mommy Gear

• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara: $6.  I have done makeup for beauty pageants, plays, ballets, and proms.  If there's a drug-store mascara out there, I have tried it.  I've even used the fancy department store $60 kind.  There is none, in my opinion, that is as fantastic as 2000 Calorie.
• Acorn Slippers: $40.  Yes, forty bucks is a lot to spend on slippers.  This is my one big spend item for winter.  My feet are cold from the end of September to the beginning of May, so I wear my slippers constantly.  I don't like floppy things that I have to shuffle around in.  These are more like comfy, warm shoes that are machine washable.  I've had my current pair for 2 years, and had my last pair for 3.  They still look good and hold up great. They are the best.
• Ralph Lauren Down Coat: $13 at after-season sale.   This is the perfect everywhere coat.  It looks good with every day jeans, and I've even worn it to church.  Warm, machine washable, and has held up really well.
• Burt's Bee's Pomegranate lip balm:  $3. The best lip balm on the planet.  Period.  I hate lipstick and sticky glosses.  Burt's Bees is all natural, non greasy, long lasting.  It's everything a lip balm should be.
• Dove Body Mist: $5.  I have a problem with strong perfumes.  I love the light, fresh scents of these body mists as a perfume alternative.  It makes me feel pretty and fancy even though I'm really not.
• Levi Strauss Khaki Purse: $2 at thrift store.  I had been searching for the perfect purse for ages.  This one is just big enough to fit travel size wipes inside, along with my wallet.  It has a pocket for keys, a pen, lip balm, cell phone, and business cards.  I like things organized.  It's small and cute and a little funky and I love it. 

Do you have to spend thousand and thousand of dollars to adequately care for a baby?  I don't think so.  Naturally, it's a personal choice.  But I think if you're going into debt for a stroller, you should rethink your priorities!  I've spent absurdly little on baby gear, and I've never once heard my 3 kids complain.  I'm comfortable with hand-me-downs, clearance sales, and store brands.  Please let me know that I'm not alone!  Are you a frugalista, too?  Share your sweet deals, awesome finds, and must-haves.