There's a pricey new toddler toy on the market: Are you feeling pressured to buy it? If so, step back and give the matter some thought, says Sandra Rotondi of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

A few years ago, Rotondi and her husband fell victim to Tickle Me Elmo mania. "We finally got the laughing Elmo, paid close to $60 for it and proudly presented it to our toddler," she says.

Her little girl was thrilled – at first. Then Elmo got tickled. "It started to shake because Elmo was laughing, and my daughter screamed in horror and ran away from it," says Rotondi. "She never touched that Elmo doll again." Since then, Rotondi and her husband have stayed calm about the latest toy trends.

It happens all too often: You spent more money than you planned to on a toy that just doesn't live up to your expectations. But there are ways to save on toddler toys and get the toys your toddler needs – while still being able to afford diapers.

"Toddlers are naturally inquisitive about their surroundings and really need very few toys to keep them entertained," says Kimberly Danger, author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains (Sourcebooks, 2005) and founder of Mommysavers.com. "Most times they are just happy to explore the world around them or tag along with a parent and imitate what they are doing."

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.