Comments on: The Simple Dollar Morning Roundup: Toddler Stuffed Animal Attachment Edition

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 05:41:44 +0000

sweet, isn’t it. Agree with the poster about the phone number. If I’d known, I would have banned ‘keepsake’ gifts – those expensive, large bears and fancy plates and exotic dolls. Those are now storage-space-consuming albatrosses. Keepsakes are the matted old cat and the bean-filled baby doll. You never know what is going to matter to kids. Ask people to give things you can use rather than anything that is likely to create artificial sentimental value – having a cupboard full of unused things ‘because so-and-so gave it’ is very frustrating.

By: Wyntyr

Wyntyr — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:53:21 +0000

I used to tell people… “$1,000 worth of toys..and my kids play with a stick and a rock!”

A lot of toys nowdays seem to take all of the imagination out of play. The do all of the thinking for the kids. Parents don’t have to pay tons of money for showy toys when simple wooden blocks work wonders. My 3 year-old daughter loves to play with some of my son’s little cars. She lines them up, makes car noises, and “drives” them all over the place. You can get these cars really cheap.

Why pay big money for a toy that sings and talks, when you can spend less and let the kids sing and talk instead? Not only will your kids grow and mature…but so will your wallet.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:55:35 +0000

Please, please, please get a nametag with your phone number for the beloved stuffed animal. A few years ago we lost my sons Funny-bunny on a family vacation, and it was horrfying for all concerned.

By: Woody

Woody — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:13:20 +0000

I recall one year for Christmas my parents got my sister and I a large (5′) cardboard house. I honestly don’t recall any other gifts from that Christmas (I know we had some, and the house wasn’t supposed to be the “big thing”.) We played in it, rammed into the walls, you name it. It was a house, a fort, a space ship… And it was probably the cheepest gift of the lot. It lasted all of about 5 months, by which time summer was here and we were over it.
Kids live in an entirely different world, one of innocence and beauty. Let him stay in that world as long as he wants, because once left there’s no going back.

By: Jared

Jared — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:12:55 +0000

The most interesting part? It was a very, very inexpensive stuffed animal found on sale and given to him on a whim by his aunt, but it is blowing away the care he’s shown for other, much more expensive toys.

It’s funny, because my cats are the same way. We could buy them the most fancy toys from the store, 3 level condos made out of catnip, and what do they love the most? Playing tug-o-war with two old shoelaces tied together. I just don’t get it.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:05:04 +0000

Your son’s not alone in his love for a stuffed animal! There’s actually a book called “Dirty Wow Wow” that features well-worn, beloved animals. See http://www.tenspeed.com/books/featured/ShowUsYourDirtyWowWow.htm for pictures from it. It’s pretty cool.

By: Lifeguard

Lifeguard — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:59:42 +0000

As for saving money on the telephone bill, we use Vonage and pay $30 per month, with taxes included. There are even less expensive VoIP plans available as well. Comcast VoIP costs $33/month for the next 12 months.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:17:48 +0000

I just started reading your blog so the crossover point article was a new one for me. I immediately starting pumping some numbers into Excel being the dork that I am. I think it’s really exciting to see what the financial future can look like. My husband and I are 27 soon to be parents of 2 and are most likely currently making more money than we ever will again. Quick explanation: we’re both working now and make about $115-120k a year, but I’m quitting in about a month when our second child is born reducing our income to roughly $75k. Then next year my husband is going to seminary and most likely will never reach his current salary or at least we’re not planning on it. We’ve managed to save about $35k over the past 18 months toward seminary costs as well as sock away about $20k in his 401k, we have some money in a 529 and some in mutual funds, and we have about $50k in equity in our condo along with no debt other than our mortgage. I think that looking toward a future where we can decide where our gifts and talents are best put to use regardless of compensation, i.e. the crossover point, is really exciting and motivating. Thanks for a great article!