Learning how to save money on toys comes into use in tough economic times and even when times are good. Following these basic steps will help you streamline your toy buying and avoid an unnecessary waste of money. Finding bargains on toys, shopping for toys at the right time and planning your toy purchases are simple things which won't necessarily take up too much of your time and resources, but will help you save money. Here are some pointers which will set you on the path to saving money on toys.
1. Do your research
Explore your options before you actually go toy shopping. Pre-deciding on the toy you want before you go into a store is always a good idea. This avoids the possibility of you getting tempted once you're inside the toy store and impulsively picking up something for double the money you originally intended to spend. The
toys site at
About.com is an excellent resource to help you find the right toy for your child. Check out our buying guides like
Toys by Age,
Toys by Brand and many more.
2. Plan Ahead
One of the biggest no-no's if you're on the path to saving money is buying last minute gifts. When you're in a hurry and have limited options as to which stores to buy from, you tend to spend more than you originally intended. It's best to plan ahead and buy toys when the prices are lowest. After holiday sales, clearance sales and off season toy sales are good places to pick up cheaper toys. If there's a birthday party looming up ahead, buy gifts well in advance. You may need to explore more than one local store to pick up a toy in your budget or even order a toy via the internet, which is only possible if you plan ahead.3. Regifting Toys
I'm sure most of us have regifted presents that we've received some time or the other. If you've had birthday parties for your kids, you probably have received lots of gifts. It's not a good idea to open all the birthday gifts at once, as your child will probably not appreciate them as much. Choose to keep a few selected toys for your child and store the others away to use as gifts. Make sure you store the gifts appropriately to avoid signs of wear and tear. Also it may be a good idea to label the toys so that you know who gifted what, to avoid potentially embarassing situations.4. Garage Sales
Garage sales are a great way to save money on toys. Many times, you will find a great toy bargain at a garage sale. Children tend to outgrow their toys pretty quickly and many parents like to dispose of the older toys at garage sales. You can find really cheap toys in good condition if you get lucky. Remember to check the toys for durability and strength before you buy them. Keep an eye out for garage sales in your neighborhood and tell your friends to inform you if they come across a garage sale nearby.5. Toy Swap at a Play Date
Children tend to get bored of their toys and many times want to play with something new. A good way of exchanging toys is to arrange a play date with a toy swapping theme. You can tell parents to bring in one toy which their child doesn't play with anymore. In exchange, they will be able to pick up toys which other parents brought in. Play dates usually include kids of the same age, which means that you will probably get toys meant for your child's age group.6. Savvy Shopping
Coupons are a great invention! You can easily save a sizeable amount of money by using coupons. Search for coupons online and in print. Many retailers offer discounts and free shipping offers which lead to quite a big difference in prices of toys. There are many sites on the internet which make it easy for you to keep track of the coupons available. Again, if you plan your toy shopping ahead, you will be able to time your purchases accordingly to take full advantage of the special offers. About.com's guide to coupons has a wonderful
couponing site where you can explore various coupons and hot deals.
