Skimp or Splurge?

13th Nov - Venue: MC @ Gurney Plaza
J: Are you sure you going to get that one? Does our girl need it?
Me: Never mind la...good deal, 40% off, sales in MC don't come around often...it's worth it...

20th Nov - Venue: PP @ Parkson,Gurney Plaza
Me: Look at this dress, and that matching headband, it's lovely, don't you think so?
J: Yes, it's nice..but no need to buy la..
Me: It's at 30% off and on top of that, if you buy 3 items you get additional 10% discount wor....it's worth it...

So, I was a victim of the buy 3 get additional 10%! deal. I actually needed only 2 items but I walked out with 4 items instead, because of the other buy 4 items, get 15% discount! deal. Lost 'x' amount of money, gained 2 additional items she had absolutely no need for (in fact, I do not need to get her any of those items, they are purely 'nice-to-haves') - just to get a good deal. So..I splurged without thinking. I splurged despite knowing for a fact that my little girl is going to outgrow those items in a couple of months.

As I sat down and thought about my spending behaviour today, this article which I read a few days ago came to mind and I thought I should post it here. These are some really good pointers to help us not to be a victim of slick marketing or even in all our good intentions.
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Article extracted from Parenthood (November 2010 Edition).

HOLD YOUR WALLETS, NEW PARENTS!
There are some things your babies really don't need.

You walk into a baby store. You see shelves of shelves of interesting baby products. You are tempted to buy everything in sight.But hold on a second. Put your wallet back into your bag and find out what are the things that your baby actually does not need. That way you can save and set aside the money for more important things, like your child's education fund.

Electronic Toys
As soon as your baby is able to grasp things, he will be more interested in making noises and shaking a simple rattle to entertain himself. In fact, it is better to let your child learn how to self-stimulate and not be dependent on flashy, complicated baby gadgets and gizmos.

Baby Shoes
Yes, the shoes are adorable but buy your baby a comfy pair only when he shows early signs of walking. When your baby wears shoes during his crawling months, he may repeatedly kick them off out of discomfort. That meas you have to keep picking them up and putting them back on.

Expensive Designer Clothes
In all honesty, your baby will not know the difference between an expensive designer shirt and a cheaper one. More affordable shirts made of cotton are often more comfortable for your baby than a designer top with frills and laces. Another point to take not of: your baby will eventually outgrow his clothes, so why spend so much more on shirts and pants which your baby's not going to wear for long?

Baby changing table
Once your baby is potty trained, the table will no longer be used. So instead of getting a special piece of furniture for diaper changing, why not get a more affordabe changing pad nad place it on your bed or dresser? As for his lotion bottles, cream tubes, diapers and others, you can easily place them in a box, instead of a special baby case.

Specially Designed Diaper Bags
A backpack or duffel bag you have at home already will work just fine. Some diaper bags in the shops have too many compartments anyway, which can be a hassle when you're searching for things.
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We're heading to Ikea this weekend to shop for baby furnitures and other household stuff in preparation for our new place, this time round, I must skimp and not splurge on 'nice-to-haves'!:-D