Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
They grow more quickly than weeds on a humid summer day. Each and every time you turn around, sleeves are too short and there are holes in their shoes. Keeping your kids clothed can seem like a never-ending, impossible feat without even considering the price tag. With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get a jump on re-tooling your child’s wardrobe. Here are my best money saving tips on clothes for kids.
Evaluate What You Already Have
Before you make a single purchase, become intimately acquainted within the inside of your son or daughter’s closet and chest of drawers. Sort through each and every piece of clothing, setting aside items that no longer fit. Write down specifically what remains – the number of pairs of jeans, t-shirts, shorts, socks, and more. This act of intentionality might take an entire afternoon; however, it might prove the most cost effective process. Keeping a set amount of items not only cuts down on expense, it also saves you from clutter
Shop Clearance
If you can accurately predict your child’s size in approximately a year, clearance is your absolute best bet for clothing. As the winter weather fades, coats, hats, boots, and gloves will dive to their most affordable price. If you shop at a big box retailer like Target or Meijer, you might even be able to further your savings with a Cartwheel or mPerks coupon.
Stick to the Classics & Basics
The colors and styles of the season look trendy and cute, but you’re much better off sticking to classic fashion for kids. Basic colors and cuts allow you to more easily mix and match within your child’s wardrobe. Jeans, khaki’s and dark sport pants or shorts allow you to easily swap items within your child’s closet.
Buy Used
Whether you shop yard sales, consignment, or Facebook garage sale groups, you can easily save money on attire by buying gently used items. The best items to acquire used are durable items like jeans, coats, sports equipment, and costumes for Halloween or dress up. Just because you’re buying used items doesn’t mean you don’t have to set up a budget, though. Do not deceive yourself into thinking that getting a great deal excuses overspending.
Keep Perspective
As darling as designer clothes are for babies and children, they are not a good investment. Kids are, well kids. Their apparel will be easily stained, ripped, and outgrown. Your child’s togs have a set lifespan. While you can certainly pass along well-made items to siblings or friends, keep perspective when making a purchase.
Pass Things Along
Friends, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to share outgrown items. Whether you donate items to a charity or find another family to share your hand-me-downs, be generous with the clothing your children can no longer wear. Your castoffs can truly be a blessing to someone else.
More than likely you’ll need to implement more than one strategy to save when it comes to keeping your kids clothed. Take a few moments to re-evaluate what fits and what doesn’t. Set a budget. Keep perspective and set your money saving radar to high alert. Keep your children well dressed and your bank account well satisfied.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
