How long should I wait before buying things?

I'm a shopaholic so I have enough clothes to last her until she's about three! LOL I bought clothes only on sale/clearance and at larger sizes to justify it. I had originally planned on adoptiong from Russia, so I did not purchase anything under 12 months and now that I have my referral, I've purchased a few smaller items. I was just out at the outlets for end of season sales and got a few swimsuits for under $4...Osk Kosh B'Gosh brand. We're planning on a cruise a year from now so I couldn't pass them up (bought a few different sizes). I figure if she outgrows anything I buy, I can donate those to the FM for future fosters. I bought a crib, and then bedding, I have three strollers (two umbrella...one I plan to leave with the FM), a nice carseat, etc. Buying things gave me something to focus on. I just started buying things like toys, just a few developmental toys...I'll save things like diapers, bottles, every day clothing..onsies, etc. for closer to when she comes home.

I started buying things pre-referral.. SALE outfits here and there. I think that was in July, so after we sent in our documents for the 171. Now that we have a referral, I don't buy much. I won a few auctions of 0-3 and 3-6 mo outfits to take to Guatemala.. I keep delaying the purchasing of the crib, high chair, etc..

We didn't buy anything before referral because we didn't specify boy or girl....but....after referral I made up for it! Don't feel guilty or embarrassed about it. It's fun and life is to short not to have fun!

This is #3 for us so we have lots of stuff. Before our visit a couple of weeks ago we bought some clothes to take and leave with him and toys, snacks, diapers, shampoos and all that stuff. FM was very excited to receive, not so excited to lug home. My children are doing a blanket drive for the Hogar and we are collecting small things to take there next time we visit. We will probably start his room when we get close to getting out of PGN. I just keep telling myself the less I spent the more I can visit!

my husband and i came to agreement, actually I informed him that we would begin our shopping. We don't have any children as of yet. this will be our first, needless to say that we need everything. we go shopping once a week(sunday) and purchase $60-100 worth of items. we agreed not to buy any clothing. only items the child will not grow out of. shopping is the only thing keeping me sane

I started buying a few things once we finished the homestudy. I didn't start the major shopping until we got our referral. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to stop. :woohoo:

We started shopping as soon as we started looking into adopting but I also started shopping when I started trying to get pregnant with daughter #1 and it took 4 years to get pregnant with her ! I had everything I needed for her first year by the time she was born ! I guess I was better at shopping than getting pregnant ! But we started shopping for this one as soon as we decided to adopt ! We have bought bottles, changing table, blankets,etc and lots of clearance rack clothes sizes 6 months to size 5 ! We figure if things don't work out we can always use them for gifts and I have teen daughters so will be a grandma someday ! But we have stayed away from newborn/ 3 months sizes until we get a referral. We have those little plastic size clips too in our closets ! We used one of those baby basic lists and bought everything that would not go bad or did not need a size ! It has been theraputic for us ! We find peace in his room !

I bought little items each time I completed a step in the homestudy/paperchase process. It made it feel like I was going to bring an actual child home instead of just working on a big paper project. I think it helped balance out the difficulties of the process. Stefanie

We started real early also. Before we had a referral.The only thing I would say is that I wish we had waited longer so that we could buy things now. Also so that you have things for friends and family to buy for you. (we did leave quite a few things) I know how hard it is to resist.... I would say buy a couple things and then try to hold out as long as you can LOL

We managed to wait until a few weeks before our visit trip...but it is so hard to pass up sales!

Don't be embarrassed! You're excited...I am too...I'm going to be a first time mom. We are also waiting for our referral. This is what we have done/plan to do: Our agency allows us to send down Ziplocks full of supplies pre referral. Plus, we plan to make lots of visit trips. So, we have been shopping for things to send to Guat and things for visit trips. So far, I have purchased newborn size clothes and sleepers, bottles (one set to send to Guat and one set to keep), diapers for visit trips, a few chew toys, socks, disposable cameras for the foster mother...things like that. I also have purchased 3 - 6 month clothes and sleepers to send after DNA testing. After DNA testing, I also plan to bring down a tummy time mat and a Bumbo seat so we will be buying those soon. We have picked out a bedding set at Pottery Barn and the sets are PB are seasonal...so, we will be buying that fairly soon. My husband and I have decided to wait until we are well into the process before we buy any big ticket items (furniture, etc.). And, we also plan to probably not have any showers until we are well into PGN or are out of PGN. We have also purchased things for our adoption that are not directly for the baby...we have purchased a couple of carry on luggage pieces and a rolling duffel bag. We have also purchased many adoption books to get us through the referral waiting period and we have purchased a Spanish program so that we can learn a bit of Spanish before our visit trips. Happy shopping! God bless.

We started right away, probably during the paperwork phase! I tried to be a little careful with clothing sizes and didn't want to spend too much if they didn't fit, but at rummage sales I shopped with reckless abandon! Also, whenever I needed a "baby fix" I'll hit TJ Maxx and pick up a baby book or something like that! Best wishes! J.T.

We actually bought the furniture for our nursery before we had a referral. The furniture was on sale for a great price and we didn't feel like we could pass it up since we knew we were going to have a child. We also go a stroller and car seat system from a store that was going out of business at a great price. We waited on clothes until we had a referral and then started buying just a few things that were on clearance for next summer. Now that we know his arrival is eminent - we are going crazy and it is so much fun!!

HAH! We were buying things before we even had our homestudy. We started looking at baby bedding THE DAY we decided to adopt. I say buy whatever you want when you want. It was so fun....after longing for another baby for a long time...to finally get to buy more baby things. Hugs

We started buying stuff almost right away. We still don't have referrals and we've put a down payment on both sets of furniture, bought the fabric to make thier beddding (my mom's doing that), and we have toys and some clothes. Keep in mind that all of the toys that we bought were end of season or garage sale. The toys were either garage sale or gifts from friends. The furniture that we're buying also converts to toddler and full size beds so it will be the right size no matter what. I've been told by family to stop buying because they will have a shower so I think we're done for awhile.