Hi all! This is part of a new series I'm doing of ideas for different agere scenarios. Such as, ideas for if you can't get standard regression gear, or if it's too rainy to play outside, or if you want to do stuff outside but can't think of anything. Or even small ways to be little in public, things to pack in your bag, stuff like that! Today's topic is: regressing on a budget!
Now, regression is something that can end up being pretty expensive! Raising a child is expensive! So here's some things you can do to lower that expense.
1. Don't buy the expensive stuff.
This is something that can be really hard, especially when you first get into regression gear. But branded things are often way more expensive than non-branded! They might be cute, but don't bankrupt yourself for a pack of printed diapers if you can get a pack of Depends. If you can afford it, most big chain stores like Walmart will have shipping options, so you don't even need to buy them in person.
Don't fall into thinking in order to have little gear, you need stuff *for littles*. Your local stores probably have tons of cute stuff hiding in the shelves!
I promise you, no one is going to comment on your grabbing a pack of pacifiers or a bib from the baby aisle. They'll think it's for your kid or for a friend or a baby shower. People take baby shopping very seriously, they won't think twice of you carefully inspecting things. And the toy aisle is even less of an issue, no one is going to think you're weird, I promise. Most people will think it's a gift or you're a collector, especially since that's usually where the legos are too!
Similarly, kids' dishes work just fine for adults, you don't have to dig for things for "your size". Lunch tray style plates tend to be especially good for this, since they're made for older kids and hold about as much food as an adult plate. As long as they don't have the Disney markup or something, they'll be reasonably priced and work perfectly fine.
Some stores also carry kids' clothes in adult sizes, if you're lucky. I got a pink romper, snap fastenings and all, in my size at my local Walmart. Just keep an eye out, and don't feel ashamed to check if something that looks cute comes in bigger sizes.
3. Thrift stores are your friend.
Thrift stores and resale shops like Goodwill are a huge help for me. The plushies and dishes are very cheap, as are any movies and books you can find in the endless stacks. No one who works at a thrift shop is going to look twice at what you're buying, they just want to do their job. Trust me, they're just thankful you aren't being disruptive.
Antique and vintage stores, as well as budget stores like Five Below, are also in this category. Antique and vintage stores might have higher prices, though, so watch out! Make sure they're not marking the price up because it's a "collectible" when it's still being produced for cheaper elsewhere.
Here's my tips for finding cute clothes, if that's what you're looking for:
Unless you're sure you can fit, don't bother with the kids' section. You can find plenty of cute clothes that look exactly the same in the adult sections.
Don't be afraid to look above your size. Plenty of my little clothes are xl t-shirts I've gotten from my local stores. Where I am, I find more cute prints in the larger sizes, and they help me feel particularly small.
If you're looking for graphic tees, which are particularly little-coded, you're looking for these criteria: no collar, no breast pocket, short sleeves but not too short, solid color. Common colors are black, gray, blue, and white. Brighter colors are more promising, but neon colors tend to be exercise shirts. You want fabric that isn't silky soft or spandex-like smooth, so something soft with a bit of texture. Heather patterning is very common with graphic tees as well. Keep in mind colors associated with any particular characters you're looking for.
^ these tips should usually work for sweatshirts too, however with sweatshirts you're looking for sleeves with elastic cuffs and thicker material.
Pajama sets are usually in abundance. Check out the guys' pajama pants. They get more fun patterns that aren't just flowers, especially if you're looking for fandom stuff.
4. Look into online parenting and teacher resources.
As someone whose mom was a teacher, I cannot overstate how much these help. You don't need to buy a coloring book to color, you just need a working printer. Looking into recommended channels for follow-along activities and drawing tutorials can give you plenty of things to do without needing to spend money. You just need the things you already have around your house!
Even if you don't have a working printer, that doesn't mean you can't color or do worksheets. A good drawing app (mine of choice is Ibis Paint x) and the right settings (such as the lighter color multiply layer) will do the trick just fine. Plus, there are plenty of fun games and dollhouse apps and such! Here are some personal recommendations:
Ibis Paint x for drawing (has a cheap subscription, but not required)
PlayHome+ (free, with an optional purchase)
Avatar World (free, with optional purchases)
