5 Things Frugal New Parents Should Avoid Buying at Target
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Target can be a convenient, money-saving option for new parents to pick up all the necessities. Whether shoppers schedule pick-up, order home delivery or embrace “me-time” by leaving the baby with their spouse as they stroll the well-organized, spacious aisles, Target offers everything new parents need. But does the retailer really offer the best deals for frugal parents?
Here are five items parents may want to purchase at other places, or forgo entirely, to maximize their savings.
Baby Clothes
Leggings, onesies and tees often make up the staples of a baby’s wardrobe. Target’s Cat & Jack line has some adorable finds, but the selection tends to be limited. Kohl’s Jumping Beans line often has a wider selection of baby clothes and lower prices.
Case in point: Baby girls’ knit leggings from Cat & Jack are listed at $6 right now on the Target website. Kohl’s’ Jumping Beans leggings retail for $6.99, but savvy shoppers know people rarely pay retail price at Kohl’s. Save 30% to bring the price down to $4.89 and earn Kohl’s Cash on purchases of $50 or more plus 5% rewards.
Up & Up Brand Diapers
It’s tempting to purchase store-brand diapers to save money. But Redditors reported that Target’s Up & Up brand of diapers didn’t meet their expectations. One Redditor called them “absolute garbage.”
Redditors in the same thread praised Costco’s Kirkland Signature diapers for their quality and value. “Never had issues with Kirkland,” one poster wrote.
Diaper Bags
Target has a limited selection of diaper bags in stock, which means new parents may not find exactly what they need.
TikTokker Cathrin Manning said in a video that she regretted her diaper bag purchase from Target. “I hated having a backpack. It just didn’t work for me. I ended up getting a cute little purse instead, and this works great,” she said.
Even if a backpack is for you, there might be better options at stores other than Target. Take this Baby Brezza diaper bag at Target for $69.99. It has only a three-star rating, with multiple reviews saying it ripped quickly.
Baby Shoes
Baby shoes can seem a bit pointless. Babies aren’t walking anywhere, so they rarely — if ever — need shoes. To keep their feet warm, get onesies with feet or use a blanket or sleep sack instead.
Target has some cute baby shoes, of course, but a limited selection. For parents who insist on dressing their infants in the latest fashions, right down to tiny Air Jordans or Ugg boots, check out Marshalls or T.J. Maxx for on-trend brands for less money.
Wipe Warmer
Frugal parents know you likely don’t need a wipe warmer for the nursery. You can save between $15 and $50 by skipping this.
But even if you choose to purchase one, you’ll likely find more affordable options elsewhere. One wipe warmer at Target, for example, costs $49.99, but you can find a similar one on Amazon for just $34.92.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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