A change of season is coming, and that means your kids are going to need new clothes. Truthfully, when don’t your kids need new clothes?
Once we got through all the cute baby outfits people gave us, I was blown away by how much children’s clothing cost. Much of it is cheaply made, and they’re only going to wear it for a few months. I started looking for ways to save as soon as I could and came up with a pretty comprehensive list.
Tag sales. The tried-and-true method of finding good deals on everything from kids clothing to appliances. Check your local paper for tag sales near you and spend a Saturday morning on a hunt for a bargain.
Consignment shops. Kids grow at an insane rate. Because of this, they often outgrow clothing well before it becomes worn out, especially as babies. Consignment shops can be a great sources of gently used (or brand new) kids clothing priced to sell.
Thrift shops. The cousin of consignment shops. In my experience thrift shops aren’t necessarily as picky as consignment shops, so you have to closely examine each piece. That said, the prices are often better and you can find some hidden gems.
Social Media. Most towns now have a Facebook tag sale group that features tons of kids clothing parents want to get rid of. This is a great option for people who want tag sale prices, but don’t have the time or patience to drive from house to house looking for good stuff.
Ebay. Check out eBay to expand your search. They often have boutique items for far less than stores, and new-in-the-box items like shoes and accessories, too.
Sales. Many thrifty shoppers tend to shy away from buying new kids clothes, but many stores offer very good sales at key points of the year. Target has 20% off girls shorts, 20% off boys shorts, and 30% off kids swimwear through Saturday this week (4/16), making their new clothes cheaper than our local thrift store.
Clothing swaps. Moms are constantly drowning in clothing that is out of season or no longer fits their little ones. Get together with your friends and swap clothes. You can set up rules like swap-for-swap, or you can just all take whatever you want and be grateful to have less clutter in your house.
Reuse. You’d be surprised what you can reuse, if you try. Outgrown pants can become shorts. Too short dresses are now shirts. Get creative with what you already have to stretch your budget. You can even trade services with a mom who can sew if needed – you babysit, she hems. It’s a match made in heaven.
How do you save money on children’s clothing? Share in the comments.
