Not Made Of Money

Keeping my kids in clothing can sometimes seem like a full-time job. They grow so fast that some days I swear they grow out of their clothes as quickly as I buy them. Then, when you consider the clothes that they actually wear out, you can see why I feel like finding clothes for them takes up so much time.

Besides taking a lot of time, clothing the kids can also take up a lot of money. Clothing can turn into a total budget-buster if you don’t actively search for ways stretch your budget. What tricks does your family use to get the most out of your clothing dollars? These are some tips I’ve uncovered over the years:

Consignment shops are your friends. These shops that feature gently-used clothing are a wonderful way to get high-end clothes at a low-end price. You can buy a name brand pair of jeans for a fraction of their regular price. If you’re not sure where to find a consignment shop in your area, you can always look in your local edition of the Yellow Pages.

Your shopping effort is rewarded at discounted stores. I love shopping at discount stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. Their prices are comparable to shopping at Wal-mart, but their quality is more on par with traditional department stores. You should know, however, that racks at these stores are usually a little more disheveled than other types of stores. You may also find that some items aren’t available in every size. If you’re willing to invest a little time to explore these store’s offerings, you are almost certain to score good deals.

Don’t overspend on playclothes. I always try to buy some super-cheap clothes for the kids to play in. (Sometimes, I even convert last year’s school jeans into cut off shorts.) These are the clothes that they wear when they are making mud pies in the backyard or helping me in the garden. Since I don’t spend a lot on these outfits, I don’t mind when they wear them out. The kids are free to enjoy themselves without worrying about messing up their clothes.

Splurge wisely on clothing. I always try to buy my kids clothing on sale, but there are a few items that I will spend a little more on. Winter coats, for example, are usually worth the investment. I tend to buy a larger size so they can wear their coats for more than one season. I also try to invest in quality pieces when I anticipate passing one item down to the next child.

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