Three Websites for Saving on Baby and Children's Items

Swapping, bartering, and trading used to be a common practice in towns all across the country. Somewhere in time, people got the notion that everything we need and want must be brand new, but where does that leave our wallets and all of that stuff that's left behind. Well, our pockets have seen better days and the landfills are overflowing with stuff that frankly, shouldn't even have been thrown away. Everyone is feeling the stretch of the not so almighty dollar right now, especially parents with trying to cloth, feed, and give some normalcy to our children by giving them small wants. There are some things we can do to stretch our money farther without our children having to do without anything. Many people are beginning to go back to the old sentiment of "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Never has it been so true for those of us who can go online and swap points for gently used or brand new wardrobes for our little ones, saving us so much cash we almost feel guilty. Not quite, however, and many of us should be game for all of the bargains these trading websites have to offer.

First up is Zwaggle.com, which is a national network of parents who have joined the online community to trade their unused items for Zwaggle points or Zoints. In return for these Zoints, you get to use them toward the purchase of newer items that your family needs. Their site features categories such as arts and crafts, cds, automotive, bathing and grooming, clothing, diapering, seasonal costumes, pregnancy supplies, and video games. Zwaggle is free to join, they give you around 50 free points when you start, and also give you referral points for others you send to the website who sign up. There is no money exchanged, so you get to trade without the regular costs of items in stores. The only charges are for the shipping, and they have an integrated FedEx tool to calculate shipping charges and print out, which makes the cost cheaper. Zwaggle is unique in that the recipient of the item must approve the amount of points when they get the item, although the sender has posted the desired Zoints they want for the item.

Swapbabygoods.com is a website started by a stay-at-home mother to help other parents save money and to be eco-friendly to the environment. Membership is free, and once joined you can swap, trade, sell, or buy from others in the community at no cost to you. This website community features everything from bath health and safety, bouncers and swings, maternity, to toys. Not only do they have posting areas for the unused items, but they also have an area where members can post up the items that they are searching for including babies, kids, and mommies. It's a great idea for anyone who has things your child no longer needs, so that someone else can get use out of them. Another wonderful thing is that everyone benefits, because you get to obtain the stuff you're in need of in return.

Uanditrade.com is another community based on the trade of babies and children's items, but seems to expand to allow for posting of goods for men and women as well. It was started by parents of three girls who noticed how much better it would be if the clothing that their children grew out of could be put to use. Their community is free to join and trade or swap on. New members receive ten points upon posting two items for trade, and they get 1 to 2 referral points for everyone they send to sign up as well. Uanditrade features a forum for general conversations as well as even swaps between members. Posting can be for shipping, which the sender pays, or they can be for pickup only. This website has everything from baby and children's items, to games, clothing, home decor, and much more.