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More Than Just Cribs: Tips For New Parents on What a Nursery Needs

November 9th, 2009 No comments

The first tip for all new parents: relax! It sure is a huge responsibility to get a house ready for your new child, but it doesn’t have to make you lose your cool. Slowing down and thinking about what is needed to get a nursery ready is a lot more productive than getting worked up and not knowing where to begin, and will get you further in the long run.

First things first: don’t beat yourself up if you forget something. There’s always going to be a store open tomorrow, and there are a whole lot of baby accessories out there in the world. The most important ones–like a crib and a high chair–are likely not going to get lost in the shuffle of purchasing things, but helpful secondary pieces, like high chairs and playpens, can always be picked up tomorrow. Don’t worry too much.

Here is some of the must-have furniture for new parents who are overwhelmed with all of the potential baby accessories. The most important rule of thumb is to always err on the side of spending a little more money. This is your child, after all, and safety is the most important concern.

Crib – The crib is the most important thing that a new parent is going to buy. First and foremost: never, ever go second-and or vintage with a crib. The older models are often painted in lead paint, and splinters are common, too. Do not buy second-hand, because cribs are sometimes recalled, and you want to make sure your model isn’t faulty. When buying a new crib that is contemporary, it should be up to safety standards. This means healthy materials, locking systems so that your child cannot pull down the railing on his own, and slots that are no more than two inches apart.

Mattress – The most important part about a mattress for a crib is its fit. Make sure that the mattress is properly sized for the crib you have, and even go as far as to invest in one that allows for additional securing to the crib itself. The purpose here is to make sure there is no space for your child to get under the mattress, get a hand stuck, or flip it over somehow. Mattresses should be durable and well-covered, too.

Cradle – A helpful extra item, one that some parents even use in place of a formal crib, is a cradle. Cradles are great for spending the night out of the nursery, whether in a hotel or at grandma and grandpa’s house. A well-made crib should be secure, with no parts that can easily be folded or broken down at a child’s touch. A cradle should also have a mattress that is firm and fits well in place, just like the mattress in a crib.

Changing Table – There is a surprisingly stunning variety of changing tables available for new parents to choose from. The benefits of having one in a nursery includes having a space to store diapers and baby products, as well as the ease of moving a child onto a surface just for changing. Get one with safety straps, so that there are no accidents during changing time.

High Chair – A secure high chair is one of the most important purchases a new parent can make as far as baby furniture goes. Make sure that your high chair does not allow your child room to stand up, as many high chair injuries occur when children decide to wiggle around. A locking device to prevent it from folding is also crucial in avoiding injury.

Playpen – Ideally, your child won’t be spending all that much time in a playpen, as it is more beneficial for his or her learning to have more room to move around and adult supervision. However, during meal preparation times, when a phone is ringing, or if there’s something important to be working on, parents need to make sure there’s a playpen around. Whether wooden or plastic, the most important things to look out for is that the playpen is secure. It should be impossible for your child to knock the playpen over, and the sides should be impossible for your child to pull down.

When you have more than one child, finding prams buggies is a challenge. Byron Jonas found the pushchairs at Go Bubba Go very innovative in this manner.

Frugal Guide to Furniture Purchases

October 29th, 2009 No comments

Everyone eventually needs to buy furniture. That’s why these tips are so good and useful whether you are moving out for the first time, upgrading to a bigger home or just want to change out your furniture.

Once you have decided what style of furniture you want, research the furniture stores in your area and their prices ranges. Even high end stores have a sale or closeout so don’t be discouraged if the ones you like are priced too high.

Dealers who display furniture outside get tired of dragging pieces in and out. If you see something you like, make an offer. You may be surprised at the price you are given.

Everyone is more desperate at different times of the day. If it’s a yard sale, go during the early hours and at the end of the day. If it’s a flea market where the seller is a semi-professional, go at the end of the day.

If an auction add highlights jewelry, books, tools, etc. with a smattering of furniture, most people looking to buy furniture will not attend and your chances of getting a good bargain is increased.

Never rush because all it will do is make you spend more. There’s never a hurry to buy furniture so just take your time and don’t overspend.

Negotiating works especially well with furniture stores because they make a lot of margin off each sale. So, just let them know you are willing to buy if they give you a great discount.

If you want better deals to begin with, dress nice and look like a buyer that is capable of making a purchase. This way, salespeople will be more attentive to your needs and give you better prices.

Go to different stores to see if there is one that gives the best bargains. Since there’s no brand loyalty with furniture, the search is probably much more objective, which is great for you.

Those closeout deals are actually a bargain. Even if the store isn’t closing anytime soon, they will often give you a discount for the ones you see on display. If there is no problems with it, take the offer.

They are good, but they aren’t the best. Macys coupons are always available if you look hard enough.