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Community Corner

Frugal Family: Cutting Down on Toy Clutter and Expense

The holidays are upon us...how to avoid "too much stuff"

‘Tis the season for those with children to find themselves buying, buying, buying toys, many times while wondering how to pay for them, if there’s even room for them, and, worst, will they even get played with? Here are a few ideas for making room for new toys and for helping ensure the ones your kids have are played with and appreciated.  

  1. Many kids have more toys than they know what to do with, but they have trouble letting go of any of them. One solution is to “rotate them out.” Simply put some of the toys away, out of sight in a closet, basement, or attic space for a few weeks or months, and then just about the time that the current toys get “boring,” put those away and pull out some of the ones you previously stored. This is a good way to keep things fresh and interesting without having to buy new things, and it’s also a good way to gauge whether your child is ready to give up certain toys. If they’ve been put away for a while and your child never asks about them, it may be time to donate or consign that particular group.
  2. Speaking of consigning, it’s a hot market right now, both for buyers and sellers. By putting in a little time and energy, many sellers make hundreds of dollars getting rid of old clothes and toys at a single consignment sale.  Many churches and preschools host consignment sales, and there are also several consignment shops in town (as well as several down the road in Lilburn). Most children don’t object to getting rid of old clothes, but if they’re leery of letting you sell their old toys, offer them a piece of the pie.  It’s up to you whether you offer to buy one new toy for every X toys donated, or whether you offer a share of the profit, but either way, your child will be learning a lesson in economics.
  3. Arrange a toy swap. If your children own toys that they’re not playing with much, but that friends of theirs enjoy, consider lending that toy to the friend for a while, in exchange for one of theirs. Make sure the toys are somewhat comparable, and agree on the swap time, and you’re all set. Some kids and parents are more open to this than others, obviously, but it can be a great opportunity for trying out a new toy and deciding if it’s really worth buying, or if it’s going to be cast aside and forgotten in a matter of days.
  4. This is great for books, as well, either temporarily or permanently. 
  5. Finally, when buying gifts for others or helping your own children make wish lists at birthdays and holidays, consider the gift of experiences. Instead of purchasing a toy, consider buying gift cards for movies, museums or shows, day passes to Stone Mountain or Snow Mountain, Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium, etc. If you’re not buying tickets for the whole family, buy one ticket or pass and let the recipient know that you’re inviting him or her to “be your guest” when you go – don’t commit the parents to paying for the rest of the family to go in order for the child to use the gift.
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