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How to Find Cheap Kids Clothes
By: Kathleen Tremblay
I can almost see a classified ad saying, "Wanted: A source for cheap kids clothes. My kids are growing out of their clothes faster than I can replace them." If you are like many other parents (and even store owners), you may be trying to develop a strategy to get more for your dollar.
When I say "cheap," I'm not talking about "cheap quality." I use the word "cheap," since as I write this, frankly, I'm feeling a liitle bit like a cheapskate right now when it comes to buying clothes. But, I'm not the only one tightening my belt. We're looking for bargains. We want to get more for our dollar.
And there's nothing wrong with that. Even though some may be feeling that the economy is a bit unstable for them at the moment, with a bit of thought, we can still outfit our children nicely. Perhaps not to the standards of a Beverly Hills boutique, but then again... who really wants his or her kid running around playing in a $200 outfit that will be worth one dollar at the next yard sale (complete with the grass and mud stains)?
But you also don't want your son or daughter to believe that he or she is merely wearing someone else's old clothes that they didn't like or want. This is where figuring out how to purchase cheap kids clothes takes some thought.
That said, here are some thoughts to consider to help you shop smart without the need to get a bank loan to do so.
Most of us are all aware of thrift stores, consignment stores, and yard sales. However, if your child is like many others, she or he might not particularly enjoy accompanying you while you make the thrift store or yard sale rounds. It may be easier for you if you can leave the children at home while you shop, but sometimes that's just not feasible.
One solution to this is to follow the example I gleaned from an exceptionally clever mom a while back.
While her five kids were outgrowing their clothes faster than she could blink her eyes, she explained that their trips to yard sales and thrift stores were "treasure hunting."
In other words, she found ways to make it fun. The kids could find small items that they liked while she was concentrating more on getting her hands on some cheap kids clothes.
Another idea is to put out a notice on a community bulletin board or CraigsList that you are willing to swap children's clothing for some items you might not be using any longer. For example, maybe someone wants that waffle iron and is willing to swap a few of her son's outfits for it. Again, be creative.
Or, let's say your pre-teen is about to enter a growth spurt. Why not consider having a tag or yard sale to get rid of clothes or toys that your son or daughter is no longer using? You can earmark the money for new clothes that way.
How about this: What if, instead of just buying at the consigment store, see if the owners would consider a trade? You could then exchange your son's or daughter's outgrown clothing for a more updated wardrobe.
Search online using terms like "discount kids clothes" so that you don't wind up at a pricey online store that won't save you any money. In fact, ask others to join you on an order so you can all save on shipping costs!
Again, the fact remains that a lot of people are keeping their eyes open for deals. Cheap kids clothes. If you are in this category, remember: You are not alone! This article offered only a few ideas.
Why not get together with a few other parents and brainstorm some more ideas over your kids' playdates or over coffee? You may be surprised at some of the solutions you come up with!
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