Soggy Deals

This post will be a little different than usual, but I felt I must share my dismay with my shopping trip today.

I went to Target today to buy diapers and got quite a shock. The diapers I've been buying for 3 1/2 years have suddenly shrunk in package size AND increased in price! Two months ago, I bought a box of Huggies Supremes that came with 76 diapers (I think) for $19.99. This is actually $1.50 more than I could buy them for in Wisconsin (plus a 3% sales tax increase), so I was already in an adjustment period to my increased diaper cost. Today, the largest size box only contained 64 diapers, and it was ON SALE for $21 (reg. price: $21.99. HUGE sale. Thanks, Target, for the help.) I saw no sign or empty shelf space for the larger sized box. Nope. My diapers had been downsized and their cost upsized. Darn this economy that may or may not be a recession!

Since we primarily use cloth diapers, a box of 76 diapers lasts us close to 2 months, so our diaper expense has been relatively low. This is how I've been able to afford the Supremes, which seem to be cut a little more baby-butt-friendly, instead of the regular Huggies. I may soon be rethinking this. Man, this irks me! Fundamentally, I know why Huggies would do this. But, gosh, I hate being screwed by companies who essentially have your hands tied to their products. I realize there are other diaper brands out there, but I really like my Huggies. A few months back, I veered off-track and bought a close-out special of Pampers Baby-Dry (136 diapers for $17.99!), which should be renamed Pampers "Sheets-Wet" b/c almost every morning Kyler awoke in pee-soaked sheets. The diapers actually leaked through the absorbant "fabric" or whatever it is diapers are made of, not out of the sides where all other diapers seem to leak. This not only created wet sheets and pjs but also a soggy diaper inside and out. It was like he was wearing a wet sponge. Weird.

So, what did I do? I'm sure the suspense is killing you. . . I bought the diapers. Actually, I bought 2 boxes. No, I haven't gone crazy or fallen into some money-wasting parallel universe. By buying 2 boxes of these riduculously priced diapers, Target gave me a $5 gift card. Plus, I used a $1.50 coupon. So, instead of $42, I essentially got 128 diapers for $35.50, which, if your math skills are wicked sharp, is more than twice what I paid for the Pampers, per diaper. But, the Supremes never leak, so I'm saving in laundry costs, and I go through the diapers more slowly (b/c they're more absorbant). This price gouging; however, will shift my diapering habits. Kyler will now only be wearing disposables to bed and on long trips.