Wasting Money On Baby

I was getting dressed for work recently and my wife was watching the Today show. Savannah Guthrie was interviewing a guest who had brought a bunch of baby clothes that they were praising as great deals. "Check this one out!" the guest breathlessly announced. "This cute baby outfit normally retails for $73! You can get it now for just $22! You can't pass this up!" Yes, she really seemed to be speaking with exclamation points in every sentence she spoke.

I was shocked by the price, of course. You can see my thoughts on affordable baby clothes and how much should really be spent on them. But I was also surprised at what the Today show thinks is a good deal for the average parent.

I'm sure hordes of sheeple will run out and buy these expensive clothes for their precious babies, but is it really worth it? Can they really afford it? Do they put as much money towards their emergency fund, college fund, or retirement account as they do towards making sure Baby has the hippest clothes?

The Baby Industry is much like the Wedding Industry. Both allow you to spend as much as you want... whether you can afford it or not. Its up to us to be smart. To research costs and products prior to shopping. To think about whether we really need to buy the products at all. Let's face it: the Baby Industry is marketing its wares non-stop. They'll make you feel like you just have to buy Item X or you're a bad parent. Or your child will be dumb. Or fat. Or whatever.

Do your due diligence before you buy your next 'baby necessity'. Keep in mind that you are setting an example for your baby, too. If you spend money frivolously, your child may come to have the same feelings about money.