I heart finding good deals :)

This week I have been OBSESSED with finding things for the baby's room. I made lists of all the furniture and gear that we will need and then I scoured Craigslist for everything! I contacted so many people, researched brand names, model numbers, reviews, recalled items, and everything else to make sure I was getting my bang for my buck. WELL, as of right now, I have officially saved over $900...YES, $900...buying things off Craigslist rather than buying them new from a store. Everything I have purchased is new within the last 2 years, in VERY good/clean shape, has come from very nice homes and has been about 80% cheaper than if I had bought brand new. The stuff that I have bought is actually NICER and of better quality than I would have bought if I had bought stuff brand new. Then nice thing about the area we live in is that there are a lot of nice homes near by with "wealthier" families, so they have a lot of very nice, well taken care of stuff to sell to the poor (aka...me). haha :) It took a lot of work because I am picky - I won't just buy something because it is a "good deal." It has to be exactly what I am looking for and in tip top shape or I won't even think twice.

For example...I bought a beautiful crib that still sells at BabiesRUs for $280 that came with a mattress that still sells for $150. It is 2 years old, looks BRAND new and I bought it for $80. That alone saved us $350! I was sooo happy!

I also bought a changing table, jumparoo/entertainer thing that she won't use for a while but it was a great deal, stroller, glider, very nice baby swing and a sleeper/cradle. Pretty much, we are set. :) I feel blessed that we have also been given a bouncer seat and a LOT of beautiful baby girl clothes from Bryson's aunt. :) The only thing we still don't have is a high chair, but we won't need one of those for a while. :)

I have been driving all over tarnation (haha honestly sometimes I was SO lost - maybe I should buy a GPS haha), to pick up these things and it has ALL been worth it!! Of course there are things I will buy new, but some things I just think are great to buy from other people who don't need them anymore.

I am SO excited to set up the baby's room. I have my little pink sheet and beautiful quilt and bedding that Nam made in the crib and now with all the money I saved, I can buy little decorations for the her room! :) Now that the nursery is furnished, I can get to work decorating and organizing. Hmmm...I think "nesting" is starting to creep up on me a little.

Anyway, enough for now.

------------------------------------------------------ 

With love,