Quick tips for saving cash when buying toys

Trying to save some money buying toys this holiday season? Besides using coupons and snagging sale items, ShopSmart magazine has five money-saving tips for you.

1. Set a limit. If your kids are flooded with presents from family and friends every year, set a limit on what you spend, whether on one large gift or a few smaller ones. To make less seem like more, pick a toy that starts or feeds a passion, lasts longer and has multiple uses.

2. Spread it out. Don’t give your kids all the gifts at once. Set aside some of the bounty for later, perhaps a snow day when they’re home from school.

3. Be cautious with used toys. Little Tikes sturdy plastic playhouses, ride-on toys, playground equipment, and good-as-new video games are good finds at tag sales, outlets and online at a fraction of the original price. With a thorough scrub, they will look like new. But first, go to www.recalls.gov for recalls on toys. Then make sure they have no rough edges or parts that could break loose.

4. Look beyond the logo. Many popular toys are tied to TV characters such as Elmo and Dora the Explorer. Ask yourself, “If I took SpongeBob off this package, what do I have?” If a toy has nothing to offer beyond the character, don’t buy it.