How I Saved Big On First Time Baby Necessities (And Non-Necessities)

If you can't stop yourself from overbuying, at least you can stop yourself from overpaying.

"Overbuying" is a term often associated with first time moms who feel like they have to have everything on the market for their precious baby. I never thought I'd fall victim to overbuying, but here I am, sitting in a house full of super expensive options for my baby to sleep and play in for her first 6 months. Oh, and her closet and dresser are both already full of super cute clothes. Did I mention that I haven't had a baby shower yet?

The good news is that I didn't pay full price for any of it. Thanks to Facebook Marketplace, I've been online thrift shopping for deals since the moment that I reached my second trimester.

People have always asked me how I find such great steals at thrift stores like Goodwill and local charities, now I've even impressed myself with my ability to sort through the crap on Facebook Marketplace and get top-of-the-line, like-new items for a fraction of the original price.

What's my key to success?

Patience and persistence.

You've got to browse around before you buy to really make sure you're getting a deal. Some people will try selling you used items for $5 less than MSRP. You could get that brand new when a store has a sale. I typically won't buy anything used if it's being sold at over half the price of MSRP. Sometimes I make an exception if I know it's exactly what I want and in great condition and will save me not just money but the time and hassle of buying it new or on sale.

You've got to see good, clear pictures of the product and get some questions answered from the seller. Does it work good? Why are you selling it? Does it have any issues? Is it clean? Smoke-free home?Some people will sell you something "like-new" that is totally trashed. I talk to the people for a bit to get a sense of their personality and get my questions answered, I check out their public profile and I ask myself if I would be friends with them. If not, I probably shouldn't trust what they're selling.

You've got to trust the process. My motto is, "When it's meant to be, it will happen." Don't settle for anything less than exactly what you want just because you think it's your only chance to get it. I missed out on a lot of strollers and other items that I thought were perfect because I passed it up, either had some stains that were really visible, didn't quite work right (but "could be fixed"), was dirty or older than what I wanted, or wasn't the complete package of what I was looking for. These things were almost perfect, and for the price it's easy to convince yourself that it's worth it.

Remember - you're not thrift shopping to settle for less than what you want - your thrift shopping to find great deals on exactly what you want.


Alright - so let's get to the meat of it. What did I save all this money on that's so perfect for my baby? 

Let me start with my absolute favorite item.

Modes™ Click Connect™ Travel System - Originally $350, I paid $75

When I started my search for a stroller, I knew nothing. I thought I wanted a jogger, but I didn't know why. I was told car seat carrier strollers are the way to go until the baby gets bigger, then I'd need to get something else. I quickly learned that no matter which used stroller I chose, I definitely wanted one that came with the infant car seat so I know it fits and I don't have to worry about finding a car seat separately.

I passed up on what I thought were some amazing strollers because they just weren't perfect. I was waiting until the time was right and I found one that I knew was perfect. That's when I saw this stroller / car seat combo.

This stroller is amazing because it grows with your child from infant to toddler. It includes the Graco top-rated SnugRide® Click Connect™ 35 Infant Car Seat. It is 3 strollers in 1 - Infant Car Seat Carrier, Infant Stroller and a Toddler Stroller. Not only that, but it also offers 10 different riding options. The reversible stroller seat allows your baby to face you, reclines flat to create an infant carriage and then converts to a forward-facing toddler seat.

My personal favorite features that really separate it from others are the huge basket under the stroller and the foot rest that can be let down or pulled up to catch toys / shoes if your toddler tends to lose them.

Fisher-Price® Deluxe Newborn Auto Rock 'n Play™ Sleeper in Safari Dreams - Originally $90, I paid $25

Fisher-Price® Cradle 'n Swing in Safari Dreams - Originally $168, I paid $75

Fisher-Price® Deluxe Bouncer in Safari Dreams - Originally $64.99, paid $25

One thing I know about babies is that you NEVER know what's going to work for them.

The swing and the bouncer were bought together from a friend who was selling them. I paid a little more for the swing than I would have if it were from a stranger, but I still paid less the 50% of MSRP so I still consider it a steal. Plus it matches the bouncer and the colors in our house.

After purchasing those 2 items, I was told by multiple people that the Rock 'n Play was the only thing their newborn would sleep in. I wasn't so sure that I was going to buy one, until I found this matching Rock 'n Play for only $25. You cannot pass that up.

The amazing thing about all 3 of these items is that they have built in sound machines, machine washable and dryer-safe inserts and seat pad, and they each allow you to choose and combine different features that's just right for your baby.

If our baby can't be content sitting by herself with all these options, then we have a problem.


HALO® Bassinest™ Swivel Sleeper in Gray Harmony - Originally $250, paid $150

I'll be honest, this is an item that I was really excited about when I bought it, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be worth it. As always, you just never know with a baby. At least if she doesn't like it, I didn't pay full price.

I bought this from the same friend who sold me the Fisher Price swing and bouncer. It's something I wouldn't have bought from a stranger, especially not above 50% of MSRP, but she was offering and I knew I needed something like it, so why not get the top of the line product that's in like-new condition? 

Looking on Facebook marketplace, there are a ton of these for sale near me. The lowest I've seen them for is $100, but most are around $150 or even more.

I have high hopes for this item. It, along with the ones listed above, save me money on a sound machine, because they all have them built in. This bassinet is also really cool because it vibrates and even has a nursing timer to wake you up to nurse. It's 360 rotation lets baby sleep as close as you like, while still safely in her own separate sleep area. It also makes getting in and out of bed easy. It's height is adjustable, and the mesh walls allow you to tend to your baby while still in bed.

Let's just hope baby likes it as much as I do. 

Graco Pack n Play Playard w/ newborn napper, bassinet and changing table - Originally $130, I Paid $50

One thing that is agreed upon among pretty much every mother I know is that you need a Pack n Play. I started looking for these brand new and was not down with the price. I knew I wanted one that came with all of these 3 accessories - the newborn napper, bassinet and changing table. I couldn't find one of these new for less than $100. So when I found this on Facebook Marketplace for $50, I jumped. Most used Pack n Plays for sale didn't have all of these accessories and were being sold for this same price.

I'm not able to find the exact playard that I have online, but it's basically a slightly older version than the one that I linked to above. At the end of the day, I got what I wanted and saved money.


Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner - Originally $30, I Paid $5

Last but not least, this small ticket item - I got the Boppy nursing pillow for 83% off. Most people are trying to sell these for $20 used, but I waited until I saw a price I was willing to pay - $5. It's clean and in good condition, from a smoke-free home, and the pillow case can be washed or switched out.

All in all in this list, I have saved $678 and still purchased top of the line products - spending only $405 on all of these items. That's almost the price of the stroller & car seat alone! 

Yes, I can admit that I purchased some things that I may not have if it weren't an amazing deal. Some people would say, "Do you really save if you're buying things you don't need?" - in my house, that's the entire reason we thrift shop. You can get so much more for your money! 

I'm not going thrift shopping to buy something gross and old - I'm thrifting to buy "luxury items" that I would never buy at full price.