What would you do?

lark81-2 · August 2016

non mucous plug opinion post ahead!

Hey ladies! Got a quick opinion question for you...

My husbands co-workers threw him (us) a surprise baby shower yesterday at work, complete with a giant bag of goodies and generous GC to BRU. I still have a few hundred bucks in gift cards from our shower to purchase what remains on our registry...which is mostly things I want, rather than need - and I'm pretty sure the funds we already had will cover the list. So I'm thinking the gift card we got yesterday is more or less bonus/fun money.

Would you...

1) Hang on to it for a bit and maybe just use it for any necessities that may come up and use it here an there till it's gone

2) Maybe get a leg up on another big purchase, such as a non-infant car seat, stroller, etc...

3) Other?

I'm trying to be smart about this. Usually when I get "free money" I get stupid and don't spend it wisely...and obviously with baby coming money will certainly be tighter than usual, so just trying to make the best decision here. Thanks in advance for any input!

COmama87 · August 2016

With DS we saved a few gift cards and used them down the road for a different carseat when he outgrew the infant one. It was nice to not have to worry about that expense when we finally needed to switch.

AnnaS930 · August 2016

I'd hang onto it for once the baby is here, then either use it in little bits and pieces until it's worn down or put it towards a bigger purchase. I'd be tempted to put it towards Christmas gifts for little one, etc.. but that's not really the intent of the gift giver.

ruemcclanahan · August 2016

I would probably keep it for essentials along the way.

I'm also really bad at "free money"

Sbrown721 · August 2016

I am anticipating that there will be quite a few items that we will need to purchase once baby is here. For example, baby may hate the Momaroo that we bought, be allergic to the diapers, prefer a certain bottle, etc. I'd save it for those types of situations.

mrsvoorhees-2 · August 2016

COmama87 said:

With DS we saved a few gift cards and used them down the road for a different carseat when he outgrew the infant one. It was nice to not have to worry about that expense when we finally needed to switch.

This. I saved a big gift card from my Uncle and bought DD's convertible seat, which was $300. Very glad I kept that card because I could buy the seat I wanted.

marajay6 · August 2016

MrsVoorhees said:

COmama87 said:

With DS we saved a few gift cards and used them down the road for a different carseat when he outgrew the infant one. It was nice to not have to worry about that expense when we finally needed to switch.

This. I saved a big gift card from my Uncle and bought DD's convertible seat, which was $300. Very glad I kept that card because I could buy the seat I wanted.

I agree! We ended up getting a convertible car seat for each car because we wanted the flexibility of both DH and I being able to shuttle DS around. Those things aren't cheap!

LeahKnits · August 2016

I would save it for a bigger carseat. I wouldn't buy one now, because they expire and you'd be wasting a year of its life.

PSUBecky23 · August 2016

You can use it for other essentials along the way - diapers, formula, clothes in larger sizes, etc. Or the convertible car seat purchase is a good idea.

ElcaB · August 2016

PSUBecky23 said:

You can use it for other essentials along the day - diapers, formula, clothes in larger sizes, etc. Or the convertible car seat purchase is a good idea.

^^ This, for sure.

camichael84 · August 2016

Just agreeing with everyone else that I'd save it for purchases as you go along or a larger purchase in the future (such as convertible carseat). Even though we already had a lot of things before DD1 was born, we still spent a lot in that first year.

yellowrose314 · August 2016

I would totally save it and buy the carseat down the road, or whatever other big purchase you might need. And if you hit a good sale with the gift card, you might have some left over that you can use for little purchases!

kosmo86 · August 2016

I would save it for christmas or a carseat!

reesaXden · August 2016

I would save it for some essentials that may pop up after baby is born.

You may want to get out and get some fresh air while on leave (if you work) and gift cards are nice to have so your not out spending your own money while trying to save because of being off work.

noelani42 · August 2016

Save it for a convertible seat!

sunshinern96 · August 2016

With DS1 we had a lot of leftover gift cards for BRU, mostly from returning duplicates of things we received (our registry got messed up and wasn't accounting for people's purchases). We used them for diapers and wipes and did actually use them for Christmas not that year but a year later. We got an amazing deal at Target on a convertible seat but that would have been a great way to use the gift cards too!

lark81-2 · August 2016

Thanks for the input everyone! I'll probably hold off and put it towards our next car seat as most of you suggest. Just have to keep my grubby little paws off it on not spend it until that time!

nativetexan512 · August 2016

LARK81 we are in the same boat, and also going to save for a convertible carseat. We've locked a few GCs away so they'll be in a safe place but we can't immediately access them. If I had it in my purse, it would be used already.

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