Book

Not Buying It

Stop Overspending and Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids

Brett Graff

Seal Press, 2016

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Columnist Brett Graff, who writes and blogs as The Home Economist, urges parents to eliminate fear-based spending. And, she explains how families can save a lot of money. She covers the major costs: necessary baby items such as cribs and car seats, toys, activities, education, housing, health care, food, clothing, and more. Some of her advice will be controversial. For example, she suggests saving by sending your kids to public school, skipping the most expensive colleges, and buying nonorganic food and cheaper baby products. But even parents who don’t concur with every point of her savings plan will find some useful cost-cutting measures here. Spending time with your children is free, and, she says, sharing everyday activities such as grocery shopping, making crafts and cooking helps children develop and give you the opportunity to impart important life lessons. getAbstract recommends this frugality manual to teachers, parents and grandparents.

Summary

Ways to Save on Baby Gear

You don’t have to buy the most expensive crib, infant car seat or stroller. However, you must have a crib manufactured after June 28, 2011. Before then, the Consumer Product Safety Commission had 46 recalls of more than 11 million cribs that could have strangled or suffocated children. Never buy a crib from a thrift store or accept a hand-me-down. Safety standards are uniform. Cribs that cost $100 must meet the same requirements as $1,000 models.

Hearing a crying infant is likely to wake you, so buy an audio baby monitor instead of a high-priced video one. All car seats must comply with federal safety regulations. More expensive models don’t offer any more safety. Buy the car seat that best fits your child and is easiest to install. Height and weight limits for different models appear on the side of the car seat package.

Speaking to babies builds their vocabulary and develops their language skills. Infants as young as four months can learn creativity and problem solving through play. Playing in a safe area on the floor helps babies learn to crawl and walk. Unlike restrictive playpens, high chairs or walkers, crawling allows babies to...

About the Author

Former US government economist Brett Graff writes the nationally syndicated column The Home Economist. Her column and The Home Economist blog cover unconscious spending.

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C. W. 6 years ago

If the conclusions of this book make you think or simply disagree then the author was successful.
P. D. 8 years ago

Biased thinking, superficial analysis leading to biased and inaccurate conclusions.
R. H. 9 years ago

Ages 3-8 are very important for learning. I don't agree that kids shouldn't take classes in music or sports because they're too young.