Help! Do I REALLY need a Phil and Teds?

[itsazoohere]

My littlest dd is 14 months old and I'm due another in three weeks. I can't find a Phil and Teds cheap enough for our limited budget, and I'm getting REALLY stressed that I'll never leave the house again. I know I could cope with a sling and our old buggy, but what if it rains? My town has very narrow pavements (esp. the ones around my house) so tandem buggies just aren't safe, and the one in front of the other ones are just too long for my house, or many of the places I go to.
Does anyone know of a cheaper, similar alternative to a Phil and Teds?
If not, I swear by sheer will power I'll keep this baby in me forever!

cheap p+t thanks cargirl

Am a big fan of P&T though had the same problem as cookiemonstress in that my DD2 could easily get out of the straps and insisted on standing up all the time, v dangerous. However I couldn't have done without my P&T in the early days as I walk/take the bus everywhere.
You really don't need the accessories - the only one I found really useful was the cocoon, which perhasp you could borrow (I have lent mine out numerous times), and is only used for a short time anyway. I guess you need a rain cover.
My sister sold her P&T second hand for less than £200 so they do crop up.
Have you considered fitting on a buggy pod (sp?) onto yoru existing buggy? I saw one of these the other day and it looked great, v secure and steady.

Most of my friends have the P&T so we had plenty of opportunity to test it and to be honest we didn't like it. At the time the back seat didn't recline at all and the little ones seemed really uncomfortable once they outgrew the "carrier bag". DS1 wasn't comfortable in the upper seat either, he liked to sit more upright. We got a Jane Powertwin instead (3-wheeler) and have loved it! It's narrower than the P&T so fits more easily into shops etc, and not much longer. The back seat reclines fully, and with a head hugger (bought on-line for a fiver), baby was snug. Only downside in my opinion is that it's bulky when folded, and heavy to lift in and out of the boot.

You can probably get one of those second-hand for less than a P&T - I'd sell you ours, only we're not quite ready to give it up yet (DS1 is 3 1/2, DS2 1 1/2).

Good luck