I want a very expensive item - Page 2

[ameliabedelia]

Well...only you can decide what to do, but if it were me, I would probably just use the Ameda again. I probably wouldn't pay $500 or $700 for an item that would likely only get used for a year or less (ie. from 12 weeks to say 15 months) since you already own an adequate alternative. Plus, if you are in the first trimester and aren't going back until 12 weeks, well that is a year away. A lot can happen in a year. I would tend to be pretty cautious about spending a significant amount of money on something that won't be needed for a year. You never know what could happen during that year that might make the pump unnecessary. (job loss, something happens to the baby or on a more positive note, you win the lottery, get a major inheritance or partner gets a big raise and you don't have to work. )

Plus, it's likely it will go on sale again before you need it. Ideally, you would want to wait until your baby is born so you could try it out and then return it right away if it doesn't live up to your expectations. Or at least wait until the baby will be born within the "return window " (ie. 30 days or 60 days or whatever it happens to be) so you can try it out and see if it in fact does improve let down and volume of milk expressed.

[phathui5]

I would not charge it. You have plenty of time at this point to 1) save up for it and 2) get the word out that you would like contributions towards your pump in lieu of any baby presents people would have bought.

[shelbean91]

I'd buy it and try to pick up an extra shift here and there to pay it off quickly. Or put it on a no interest card.

[Mulvah]

Originally Posted by jeminijad

Specifically, a breast pump. I want the PJ's Comfort hospital grade breast pump, which is on sale right now for $500 for the deluxe model (down from $700.)

I work 3 12 hours shifts, am away from home from 5am till 8pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A good breast pump is not optional, but a) I'm still in my first trimester, and b) I would have to charge half of it.

So how do those of you who are very good with your finances figure out whether a particular purchase is worthwhile? The super deluxe, ideal item is $500, but a functioning item is $200...

For me, I need to justify the cost in a way that makes it beneficial to purchase while still being more of a need. If it is an item I want, I need to justify the cost in a way that makes it beneficial to purchase while still being something we can easily afford.

For example, one strike against this purchase is the charge factor. How long will it take you to pay off $250 and what will the interest be? For me, if I could not pay the $250 off within one month, I would probably consider the purchase a "want" in a time where I couldn't afford it. I would use the $250 I did have to pay off other bills and/or for savings.

If I could pay off the pump before accruing interest and/or it were just a one-off short month, I would really contemplate the worth of the item (time and money saved). If it was a need, I would try to calm myself by realizing I would a) sell the pump after using it and b) pay a whole heck of a lot less buying the pump than formula feeding.

ETA: I do think you got some good suggestions on how to afford it better. Examples: working an extra shift, using a 0% interest credit card, purchasing used, etc.

[mnnice]

Honestly, I would wait until I thought I needed it for sure. I would pump with the Ameda again and would reconsider if I felt I was under constant pressure to have enough expressed milk. If that wasn't a concern I wouldn't bother.

Is there anywhere where you could try it (just buy the kit part) before you bought one?

[texmati]

to be honest... (and I'm a wohm, so I totally understand the call of a good breast pump)... I would not buy a non nessity if I had to charge it.

To evaluate whether a purchase is worth it-- I shop around, look at reviews, always try to buy in the 'middle' for most everything. I don't go with the cheapest, and I don't go with top of the line either.

I also at least evaluate how much an item would cost used-- so I know how much it's costing me to to buy new.

And sometimes you get it wrong. For breast pump, I was able to find a NIB medela that I used all last year for 180. I do wish I'd 'splurged' and gotten the freestyle, but at the time it was new and had mixed reviews. I shopped the price + had a coupon that would have made the freestlye closer to 300 than 400, and the ease of use may have been worth it. Oh well.

[ikesmom]

I would want to try the pump before I put that kind of money down. I struggled with my supply with my first baby , but then had over supply with my second. I rented a Medela with the first and pumped around the clock. I had a reserve of frozen with my second baby and used 2 Avent hand pumps that cost $50 at Walgreens. I never worked more than 6 to 9 hours a shift 2-3 days a week with my second and I made sure to eat really well.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

For the fun of it, I calculated the cost per serving of using the pump, getting it on sale) versus using formula. Pretty much breaks even.

(Pump: $500. Assume you go back to work at 8 weeks and pump 3 times per shift. You will pump approximately 400 bottles up until first birthday. Works out to about 80 cents per bottle.)

(Formula: $13 a can. Only buy it for when you work and you breastfeed the rest of the time. Assuming it makes about 94 oz, if you give baby 4 oz bottles, then it works out to 57 cents per bottle; and if you give baby 8 oz bottles, about $1.10 per bottle--which over the course of a year would average about 80 cents per bottle.)

This was completely a intellectual exercise--and if DH saw it and I was considering a $500 pump with the same schedule, he'd go "nope, I'll just give baby formula while you work." (but you'd still want a pump of some sort to take the edge off)

[pbjmama]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

For the fun of it, I calculated the cost per serving of using the pump, getting it on sale) versus using formula. Pretty much breaks even.

(Pump: $500. Assume you go back to work at 8 weeks and pump 3 times per shift. You will pump approximately 400 bottles up until first birthday. Works out to about 80 cents per bottle.)

(Formula: $13 a can. Only buy it for when you work and you breastfeed the rest of the time. Assuming it makes about 94 oz, if you give baby 4 oz bottles, then it works out to 57 cents per bottle; and if you give baby 8 oz bottles, about $1.10 per bottle--which over the course of a year would average about 80 cents per bottle.)

This was completely a intellectual exercise--and if DH saw it and I was considering a $500 pump with the same schedule, he'd go "nope, I'll just give baby formula while you work." (but you'd still want a pump of some sort to take the edge off)

I get the point you are making here at the cost per serving for breast milk as food. But ignoring the other benefits of breast feeding for mom and baby, ignoring that supply will most likely suffer thus baby may need formula at other times, etc. I can't get behind this point of cost per oz when so many other factors are left out.

[3timesamom]

I would want to try the pump before I put that kind of money down. I struggled with my supply with my first baby , but then had over supply with my second. I rented a Medela with the first and pumped around the clock. I had a reserve of frozen with my second baby and used 2 Avent hand pumps that cost $50 at Walgreens. I never worked more than 6 to 9 hours a shift 2-3 days a week with my second and I made sure to eat really well.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This!! With DD 1 I didn't nurse her until 5 weeks. So I had to relactate for her. I was able to achieve this and was NEVER able to pump more than one bottle a day for her.

With DS2 I was able to pump for SEVERAL children. For instance one day in one pumping session after about 2 hrs away from him I pumped 24oz!! I didn't stop because I was not getting anymore either! I stopped because it was time to stop! HOLY CRAP!!!

DS 3 I got a NORMAL amount when I pumped. I never had a lot extra and maybe had 6-10 oz a pumping when I pumped.

So it could be different with this baby. You might spend that much money and for not. The ameda might do just fine.

[Ravin]

Do you qualify for WIC? I will be getting a breast pump from them once the baby comes. It's probably the best benefit I'll get, though the food package is helpful right now, too.

[baileyandmikey]

I have it! Love it, actually bought it nip from someone whose company provides them for all new mothers, she only charged me 250 since she got it for free.

[MissedMyDecade]

Originally Posted by Ravin

Do you qualify for WIC? I will be getting a breast pump from them once the baby comes. It's probably the best benefit I'll get, though the food package is helpful right now, too.

You can't always count on this. I tried to do it too, but they said they were short due to a large number of preemie births, which come as first priority.

OP - I would do it. You're charging $250. There's no way your interest is going to surpass the $200 savings. This is one instance where credit would be an okay choice. $50 a month for the next 6 months and it's paid off. You pay $550 for the pump instead of $700 still saving $150. You're going to need a pump. It's a necessity. I worked some 16 hour shifts when I went back to work and I wish I had a better pump. The one side of mine died after a short period of time and I kicked myself for not investing in a better one.