Stop spending money!!

[Emma H]

Hi everyone :)

I am relocating into a bigger space (from condo to house) and I just want to keep buying things for the daycare! I think I have an addiction to shopping so when I tell myself it's just an investment for my business it makes it okay lol but its not okay. I keep spending so much money and I cant seem to figure out what's worth the investment and what isn't.
For example I spent around $400 dollars on a felt board/felt stories/felt learning material and some multicultural lessons. Another $300 on the new Melissa & Doug snack&treat cart. I am obsessed Etsy so I thought it was a good idea to buy a felt garden with a mini felt apple tree for $200, wooden washing machine for $250 and a play pantry that "goes perfect" with a $350 Melissa & Doug play kitchen that I just had to have.
Ugh, I regret spending my money because parents just really don't seem to care but at the same time I think everything looks so much nicer. I am already planning on spending $2000 on kid's furniture/storage (and other cr@p, of course) once I move.
I would really like to know what you would spend your money on and what you wouldn't. I did have to spend more because I don't have kids and didn't have anything to start with but now I feel like I am just buying too much.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I also don't have my own kids and have a HUGE shopping problem lol.

However, I think you are overspending. I just took a quick peek at prices for the M&D cart and they are $150-$200 from what I am seeing. A really cute kidkraft washing machine is around $100-$150. I got my wooden play kitchen from kidkraft at costco for $180 on sale.

I am frugal (aka cheap!!) and will shop used before I buy new though. I almost never buy any toys/large pieces/shelving etc unless it's on sale as they go on sale all the time!

I shop around before buying my expensive pieces too. I do a fair bit of online and across the border shopping which saves me lots!

Great....now I want the kidkraft stacking washing machine and dryer!!!! LOL

[AmandaKDT]

You need to create a budget and stick to it. Alocate a certain amount of money towards daycare supplies and equipment and only spend the money if you actually have it to spend. For sure you can claim it all as daycare expenses, but it gets to a point where you aren't making money anymore.

Unless I can help it I don't buy things new, second hand is just as good.

My furniture for the daycare I got from Ikea and definitely didn't spend anywhere near $2000 - that is too much!

I made my own felt board by gluing a sheet of felt onto a magnetic white board - cost about $20. I made my own felt board pieces to - actually asked the parents to volunteer cutting them out, which they were happy to do since it was for the benefit of their own kids.

[Emma H]

I don't have a Costco membership although it seems like it would be wise to invest in one!! lol
I try to shop around for best prices too but somehow everything I seem to find is minimum $200. When the treat cart first came out a couple months ago, Alberta was the first province to have it and I almost ended up paying $300+80 for shipping until I begged a store here.
Does Costco have a lot of good Kidcraft items and/or wooden toys? I just can't seem to find things anywhere else at a reasonable price!!

[Emma H]

Ikea is great but too far from where I am located :( (about 1-1.5hrs away)
I remember seeing a great deal on table&chairs for $20 and stores here are asking $200 for the same thing..... might just be my location I guess
I didn't even think to craft my own felt board!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Walmart also sells kidkraft but I know for my local store, I have to order it online or buy from the US.

Costco is 2 hours from me but we go to the "big city" often enough to make it worthwhile. Ikea is there too so I usually check online before we go and if I need too, make a stop there as well.

The kitchen I ordered from Costco was delivered to my house though which was awesome!

[Emma H]

I also don't have my own kids and have a HUGE shopping problem lol.

However, I think you are overspending. I just took a quick peek at prices for the M&D cart and they are $150-$200 from what I am seeing. A really cute kidkraft washing machine is around $100-$150. I got my wooden play kitchen from kidkraft at costco for $180 on sale.

I am frugal (aka cheap!!) and will shop used before I buy new though. I almost never buy any toys/large pieces/shelving etc unless it's on sale as they go on sale all the time!

I shop around before buying my expensive pieces too. I do a fair bit of online and across the border shopping which saves me lots!

Great....now I want the kidkraft stacking washing machine and dryer!!!! LOL

Oh my god!!! I wanted that for the longest time but I decided to buy another one because it didn't really match my kitchen hahaah (crazy I know) but now I really want a wooden sensory bin and that's so expensive but when I get something in my head I end up just buying it for my own sanity ahahaha

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have the dark brown and grey kidkraft kitchen and now want the matching washing/dryer. I don't really have the room for it now that I rearranged the playroom though and bought 2 cube shelves instead of my old colourful toy bin shelf.

It's only $87 at walmart.com.......ug h!!! Thanks! lol

[5 Little Monkeys]

If you can afford it and it makes you happy, than by all means go for it! (I'm a terrible influence, sorry!)

[Emma H]

Chapters had an amazing in deal on the Melissa and Doug grocery/lemonade stand. It was originally 135 but they had it on sale for 35 bucks!!!!! I wanted to grab three but then I realized I wouldn't really be saving hahahaah...like I said crazy

[5 Little Monkeys]

Oh I definitely would have bought them haha. I buy things and than resell to make a bit of extra money. I watch too much storage wars..........

I also check pinterest for a lot of DIY stuff. I'm not at all crafty but even I can make some simple things with a guide/reference!!

Instead of buying a train table for example, I just painted a large piece of cardboard and glued the train tracks to it. It fits nicely under my spare room bed when we aren't using it if I don't want it out in the playroom.

[superfun]

5LM, have you had any success ordering from Walmart.Com? it never works for me because I don't Jane an American credit card.

[5 Little Monkeys]

You can't order from walmart.com and have it delivered here to my knowledge. My SIL does it all the time though and gets it delivered to border crossings and picks it up from there and than sometimes has to pay duty at the border. I have ordered it to go to Walmart in Bottineau and than picked it up from there though. I'm not sure what credit card she uses...I'll ask! (you might have to remind me lol)

[Emma H]

If you want it just buy it! It will look so cute and not a lot of people have it!....I noticed the kids don't play much with it unless they are pulling the nobs off or trying to climb inside lol I wish I was crafty like that I just bought a used kidkraft train table and bought the train pieces from ikea (super cheap). Another thing that I can't seem to get off my mind are the tipi tents for kids!

[superfun]

We have a teepee! They seem to like it a lot, but it's still pretty new.

I was trying to order from Walmart.com to be delivered to a us address. One of my daycare families picks stuff up for me whenever I order it. I would love to know how your sil does it.

[Fun&care]

Hi everyone :)

I am relocating into a bigger space (from condo to house) and I just want to keep buying things for the daycare! I think I have an addiction to shopping so when I tell myself it's just an investment for my business it makes it okay lol but its not okay. I keep spending so much money and I cant seem to figure out what's worth the investment and what isn't.
For example I spent around $400 dollars on a felt board/felt stories/felt learning material and some multicultural lessons. Another $300 on the new Melissa & Doug snack&treat cart. I am obsessed Etsy so I thought it was a good idea to buy a felt garden with a mini felt apple tree for $200, wooden washing machine for $250 and a play pantry that "goes perfect" with a $350 Melissa & Doug play kitchen that I just had to have.
Ugh, I regret spending my money because parents just really don't seem to care but at the same time I think everything looks so much nicer. I am already planning on spending $2000 on kid's furniture/storage (and other cr@p, of course) once I move.
I would really like to know what you would spend your money on and what you wouldn't. I did have to spend more because I don't have kids and didn't have anything to start with but now I feel like I am just buying too much.

2000$ on furniture and storage sounds like waaaaaaayyy too much (for me). Even looking on how much you spent on felt stuff etc just seems like quite a lot. Does your husband not completely flip out?!?? Lol! Mine would have a heart attack and drop dead if I told him I spent 2000$ on daycare stuff! He freaked when I spent about 400$ on IKEA toy storage units!

I don't want this to come off as rude but if I had the money to spend on all those supplies...I would instead just keep it in my pocket and not bother running a daycare at all :)

The only item I spent big on was my table and chairs because I wanted a quality one not a flimsy IKEA set. I spent 450$ on that. Almost everything else was bought second hand or on sale for CHEAP.

I guess it all comes down to how much you can afford, and also how long you plan on doing daycare. The other thing to consider is wear and tear...it can be surprising how quickly kids can completely ruin toys/furniture, they are just so rough and I would be stressed right out if I had spent that much and they just ruined it :(

[mickyc]

Must have- egg chairs from ikea!! We totally renovated our space and made a trip to ikea! $1500 later on storage cupboards, chairs, tents, train tracks etc. must husband saw the egg chairs and said you HAVE to get those! They were $80 each - I got 2. I wasn't sure how they would last but the quality is amazing and the kids LOVE them.

I just need to find a new kitchen for my crew but my Walmart order got cancelled as they ran out of stock. Not impressed. I am too cheap though to spend more than $300 on one.

[Emma H]

Must have- egg chairs from ikea!! We totally renovated our space and made a trip to ikea! $1500 later on storage cupboards, chairs, tents, train tracks etc. must husband saw the egg chairs and said you HAVE to get those! They were $80 each - I got 2. I wasn't sure how they would last but the quality is amazing and the kids LOVE them.

I just need to find a new kitchen for my crew but my Walmart order got cancelled as they ran out of stock. Not impressed. I am too cheap though to spend more than $300 on one.

I saw those and I loved them but I ended up buying the ikea swing chair that you hang from your ceiling lol I spent a lot of money on my kitchen and when it's time to buy a new one I'm buying the ikea kitchen...its a100 dollars and it looks great. When I say 2000 I mean everything playground, chubby coat hook set up, sensory table, kids couch, table and chairs etc. 2000 seems like a lot but it think I pay need a little more lol...I live on my own so it's just me :)

[kindertime]

This sounds like an exciting time for you Emma H! When I was starting out, I had less than no money, my parents had to help me buy a house and I too don't have my own kids. So everything was new. I spent several months that spring going to yard sales. As long as the toys are clean, and in good shape, there is nothing wrong with used. Are you on Kijiji? That could work too.

I also got a lot, a lot of stuff from dc parents and neighbors. (One neighbor let me take 1/2 her garage filled with stuff. Sooo cool.) As I got more finacially stable I have been slowly replacing and adding to my collection with newer and fancier. I too love to shop but try to keep it in check because I am on my own.

I have also found, that at any one time, the kids don't need to have that many toys out and available. If you start out slowly, you may find all of a sudden, you have enough.

And if I may go off on a tangent for a moment... haven't thought of this in years but just remembered. In my first few months open, a dcm gave me a 3 or 4 big garbage bags of stuffed animals and a kid's activity desk. The desk was wired with a light but the wires were broken and sticking out at the back. I don't remember how exactly now, but I do remember that it was dangerous, I thought. So I pulled all of the wires and the light part out. So then, maybe a month later, dcm comes in one day and asks to have the desk back.... okay, sure, but it's not quite the same anymore! Sigh.

Oh and one last thing, if you are looking for books, Scholastic (the school book orders) they do daycares too. When I called, the lady I spoke to didn't know what home daycare was....:huh: but I finally got her to understand. The parents order books and you can too and the order earns you money to buy more books. Good luck and have fun!!

[kindertime]

Must have- egg chairs from ikea!! We totally renovated our space and made a trip to ikea! $1500 later on storage cupboards, chairs, tents, train tracks etc. must husband saw the egg chairs and said you HAVE to get those! They were $80 each - I got 2. I wasn't sure how they would last but the quality is amazing and the kids LOVE them.


Two of those chairs were given to me by my neighbor too. They were such a hit. It is 10 years later and only one survives today. I keep it outside now with the summer toys. With the ones I had, the small casters inside that make it turn are made of plastic and they will eventually break down and so the chair no longer spins. It will turn with some effort. None the less, the kids love turning each other around in it.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Must have- egg chairs from ikea!! We totally renovated our space and made a trip to ikea! $1500 later on storage cupboards, chairs, tents, train tracks etc. must husband saw the egg chairs and said you HAVE to get those! They were $80 each - I got 2. I wasn't sure how they would last but the quality is amazing and the kids LOVE them.

I just need to find a new kitchen for my crew but my Walmart order got cancelled as they ran out of stock. Not impressed. I am too cheap though to spend more than $300 on one.

When I was looking at kitchens, I looked at walmart, toys r us and sears. They all had lots for well under $300. A neighbour suggested costco to me (which I never would have thought of) and they have a good selection as well.

[5 Little Monkeys]

If you want it just buy it! It will look so cute and not a lot of people have it!....I noticed the kids don't play much with it unless they are pulling the nobs off or trying to climb inside lol I wish I was crafty like that I just bought a used kidkraft train table and bought the train pieces from ikea (super cheap). Another thing that I can't seem to get off my mind are the tipi tents for kids!

I was wondering if the kids would actually play with it or not. There are a couple ideas I've seen that use cardboard boxes. Maybe we will do that this summer outside and see if they play with them first.

Seriously, I'm NOT crafty!! Find a really good guide and anyone can do it!! Once you get started it's much easier.

A tipi would be cool. My kids love tents so I'm sure they'd love a tipi. Another summer idea....

[5 Little Monkeys]

We have a teepee! They seem to like it a lot, but it's still pretty new.

I was trying to order from Walmart.com to be delivered to a us address. One of my daycare families picks stuff up for me whenever I order it. I would love to know how your sil does it.

That's odd. I can't imagine why it would matter if your credit card was american or not. I've never come into that problem when ordering online from other countries. Something that I thought of that might be the problem....my husband can't use his credit card in the US unless he tells the bank ahead of time that he is going down. I wonder if that has something to do with it?

[Emma H]

I have one of those playhouses where each side is something different....one side is a garden, the other a post office, puppet theater and the last one is an art center....they love it but all they care about is sitting inside of it and playing or reading a book...so I figured they would like a tent for that reason....I also ask my daycare kids if they would like something I am considering buying but I always get "ohhh yess" hahahah I also have a little girl who found one of my catalogues and now insists to go threw it with me and we can pick out what we like....what's better then a kids opinion on toys!

[Emma H]

Thank you kindertime! I opened my daycare last August and things are finally getting good now! The first location where I was at wasn't the nicest so there were many times I was waiting for parents for interviews and they just drove away as soon as they saw the outside of the building (you had to pull in and my widows would face the drive way and I could see it every time). I filled four spots in three week and got out of there ASAP. I have a condo now but a house is just needed for me personally because I am around daycare 24/7. When I first started I bought a lot of toys from once upon a child and the library where I live would always has great books for sale ( 25 -50 cents per book).
It was really nice for your family to help you out like that. Mine wold never in a million years do something like that for me. I remember having to get a cleaning job to help pay for the toys because my parents said they couldn't help me but the went to Greece two week later! I have been pretty successful and they now expect things from me and no way no how that is happening hahah
I will definitely take a look at Scholastic! I love books and can't get enough of them.

[superfun]

That's odd. I can't imagine why it would matter if your credit card was american or not. I've never come into that problem when ordering online from other countries. Something that I thought of that might be the problem....my husband can't use his credit card in the US unless he tells the bank ahead of time that he is going down. I wonder if that has something to do with it?

I know. I didn't expect it to be a problem either. I shop on amazon.com regularly, and a few other us websites. But Walmart didn't work.

[ebhappydc]

Hi everyone :)

I am relocating into a bigger space (from condo to house) and I just want to keep buying things for the daycare! I think I have an addiction to shopping so when I tell myself it's just an investment for my business it makes it okay lol but its not okay. I keep spending so much money and I cant seem to figure out what's worth the investment and what isn't.
For example I spent around $400 dollars on a felt board/felt stories/felt learning material and some multicultural lessons. Another $300 on the new Melissa & Doug snack&treat cart. I am obsessed Etsy so I thought it was a good idea to buy a felt garden with a mini felt apple tree for $200, wooden washing machine for $250 and a play pantry that "goes perfect" with a $350 Melissa & Doug play kitchen that I just had to have.
Ugh, I regret spending my money because parents just really don't seem to care but at the same time I think everything looks so much nicer. I am already planning on spending $2000 on kid's furniture/storage (and other cr@p, of course) once I move.
I would really like to know what you would spend your money on and what you wouldn't. I did have to spend more because I don't have kids and didn't have anything to start with but now I feel like I am just buying too much.
If you have an Early Years centre nearby, they sometimes lend toys and educational resources. I use their toy library a lot. They have the super-huge story books (they"re like 2ft x 3 ft books) my daykids love and when the kids get tired of them they go back to the library and I get other toys. Saves me from having to buy. I do look at Pintrest daycare decor sites and wish my place could look as cool as some of those rooms, but kids are happy if it's a happy environment really. I also try to keep in mind when I get the itch to buy that kids like the box FAR better than the toy!

[33 Daiseys]

Put the credit cards on ice!!!!!!!! Literally. I love to shop, when i opened, i went crazy but playmobili. I justified that I could since i have two children of my own. I then realized that ALL of my earning was going to food and toys.
Needless to say i love to shop. So i stuck my credit cards in a container, filled with water and froze. They are there if i really want something, but it just takes a few hours to think if I really wan it or REALLY want it.

[Emma H]

Put the credit cards on ice!!!!!!!! Literally. I love to shop, when i opened, i went crazy but playmobili. I justified that I could since i have two children of my own. I then realized that ALL of my earning was going to food and toys.
Needless to say i love to shop. So i stuck my credit cards in a container, filled with water and froze. They are there if i really want something, but it just takes a few hours to think if I really wan it or REALLY want it.

The problem is I REALLY REALLY want everything hahaha I also justify everything to make it okay to buy. I am going to be ordering that tipi tent because I feel that I need it lol my friend asked me last night " you run a daycare why do you need a tent" lol good point but I feel that it will encourage them to read more books as I would use it as a reading corner ... :unsure::unsure:.... ..crazy but what can you do lol its a problem...once I have it in my head I cant stop thinking about it hahaha oh god the worst part is I don't have any credit cards!

[33 Daiseys]

The problem is I REALLY REALLY want everything hahaha I also justify everything to make it okay to buy. I am going to be ordering that tipi tent because I feel that I need it lol my friend asked me last night " you run a daycare why do you need a tent" lol good point but I feel that it will encourage them to read more books as I would use it as a reading corner ... :unsure::unsure:.... ..crazy but what can you do lol its a problem...once I have it in my head I cant stop thinking about it hahaha oh god the worst part is I don't have any credit cards!

I would say that before you buy anything, check for it second hand first......

[AmandaKDT]

I would say that before you buy anything, check for it second hand first......

Or make it youself. Kids will be happy if you take two chairs and throw a sheet over top.

Or I have seen a bunch of tutorials online for making kids teepees, doesn't look hard at all. It is on my list of things to do when I have the time or inclination (which means probably never - lol).

My reading nook is just a corner with some throw pillows and a couple kids foam chairs. I put a basket of books in the middle and the kids go to town.

I know you tell yourself you NEED it, but do you REALLY need it? It is hard when you get an idea and a strong want for something, but you may regret all these purchases down the road.

[kindertime]

If you do buy big, new things, keep the boxes! Last summer, it was time for me to update and replace a lot of my outdoor stuff. I bought a tent/slide and lots of ride on toys. The huge boxes they came in filled the playroom for months. The first one got thrown out because it got poop in it. The last one finally bit the biscuit just before Christmas. DCKs were so sad to see it go...

[Elly]

If you do buy big, new things, keep the boxes! Last summer, it was time for me to update and replace a lot of my outdoor stuff. I bought a tent/slide and lots of ride on toys. The huge boxes they came in filled the playroom for months. The first one got thrown out because it got poop in it. The last one finally bit the biscuit just before Christmas. DCKs were so sad to see it go...

It's true! One of my DCKs has more fun in a diaper box than with any of the toys. She sits in it with her legs hanging out, reading a book:)