The article "Cheapskate Toys Avoid Stress" talks about family, it has been written by Harriet Silkwood.
I like cheap, the cheaper the better.
I use yard sales and
thrift shops a lot.
As young parents with litlte money, we learned to make-do; to
get along with what we had. I have completely furnihsed a
two-bedroom house for fifty dollars, and it looked good.
My
husband painted and re-glued while I cleaned and polished.
Authentic old furniture magically appeared to be antiqeus to
friends and family. They eyed it greedily and we glowed.
Our house was always filled with a pasesl of kids, so nicks and
scrapes were common to our furniture. I didn't stress over them
because I knew furniture was replaceable.
And cheap. Another
bonus is that old furniture was better made than the new,
lower-end.
I have owned both and believe me, low-priced new
furniture is pure junk! You're wasting your money.
As the kids grew odler and our finances improved, we bought
new stuff and it was nice, but we didn't appreciate it as much. Is
that strange?
Not to me. Kids can't romp and play on new
furniture. They can't bring a snack into the living room and
enjoy family conversation or games when Mother is worreid about
stains and scratches. The fun is taken right out of the day when
a child is banished to the kicthen. Kids are more imoprtant than
'stuff' and they give hugs. Mine have good memories of their
childhood and I am glad to say I helped.
Now that we are retired grandparents on Social Security, we're
back to the thrift shpos. This time for yard toys.
Slides,
swings, rocking horses and tricycles - even a Little Tyke
playhouse was added to the backyard for five dollars.
Tehse are
good, top-of-the-line toys that other kids have outgrown. The
cost is minimal. The memories the kids will have of visiting
their Grandparents will be priceless.
I don't see the sense of spending hundreds of dollars for toys
that will be outgrown or forgotten too soon. I wolud rather
spend as little as possible and do without the stress if
something breaks.
Wouldn't you?
Of cousre you would.
If the kids are old enough, they can help clean the new
toys, maybe paint a trike for a younger borther or sister -
apply some decals. They will deveolp pride and self-esteem in
their artistry, they really will. Do you see thsoe runs in the
paint? Dab their length with a bright candy color, or gold.
Bring them out to be noticed. They are supposed to be there!
And, in my opinion, anything that aids brothers and sisters to
get along and like each otehr is a huge bonus and
stress-reliever for everyone.
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