Four Things to Scratch OFF Your Baby Shopping List

If you're a new parent or about to have a baby, prepare to be overwhelmed by people who think they know what's best.

Friends, family, co-workers, and complete strangers...they'll all try to advise you about things you need for a newborn baby. But if you listen to them, you'll end up with a baby shopping list as long as your arm.

So why should you listen to me? Because I'm not telling you what to buy. I'm telling you what NOT to buy. I'm giving you a short list of items to cross off your baby shopping list because they're a complete waste of money.

I have a unique perspective because not only am I a father of two little girls, but I also worked part-time in a baby store to help pay the medical bills after my first daughter was born.

I saw firsthand how the store tried to convince expecting parents that they needed all sorts of ridiculous gadgets just so the store could pad their profits.

These are a few of the things I usually tried to talk expecting parents out of:

• Expensive bedding sets look so pretty on the model cribs, don't they? But they can run you up to $300 for ONE sheet, bumper, comforter, and dust ruffle. Some sets have a few extra items, such as a diaper stacker or window valance.
  
  Three hundred bucks is a lot of money for a bedding set. And that's before you add in all the little accessories they throw at you. And the worst part is that they recommend NOT using the comforter for risk of suffocation. So it's really just for show.
  
  Instead of falling for their scam, here's what you need:
  
  Plain comforter - $24.99
  Three matching sheet sets - $9.99 each.
  Dust ruffle (optional) - $12.99
  Four-pack of receiving blankets - $14.99
  Total cost - $82.94
  
  You'll actually get more for your money (bedding sets have just one sheet and you'll need a few) while saving over 70%!
  
  
• Crust cutters are a ridiculous waste of money. They're simply a piece of plastic shaped like a piece of bread. When you place it on a slice of bread and press down, it trims off the crust.
  
  Now if your little one doesn't like the crust and you want to take it off, that's fine. But I'm willing to bet you can do so without this ridiculous gadget. Ever hear of a knife??
  
  
• Baby wipe warmers are one of the biggest wastes of money and should come right off your baby shopping list. "Oh, you don't want to traumatize baby with those awful cool wipes!" Whatever...
  
  The warmer itself will cost you about 20 bucks, and then you'll pay more in increased electricity used. Plus, some warmers tend to dry out the wipes making them less effective, so you'll be stuck buying wipes more often too.
  
  My kids did just fine without warm wipes, and I don't think they'll be scarred for life.
  
  
• Infant walkers are a terrible idea from a safety standpoint. If your little one isn't walking yet, it's because she's not READY to walk yet. Sticking her in a walker is like putting her onto a missile. She'll zoom around the house bumping into everything. If she bumps into a table something could fall on top of her. And god forbid she goes tumbling down a flight of stairs. (Don't say that would never happen because that's what other parents say too).

There you have it. Four things your baby can live without. Plus, you'll save at least a couple hundred dollars if you cross them off your baby shopping list right now.

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