Children go through clothes quickly. If they’re not outgrowing them, they are staining and ripping them. It can definitely put a strain on the budget. If you have a large family like us, it can cost a small fortune to keep everyone looking clean and presentable. Fortunately for frugal parents, there are lots of tips and tricks to cut down on the cost of kid’s clothing.
Except Hand-me-downs
Whenever someone offers me hand-me-downs, I always accept. I don’t keep everything, but I am usually able to salvage a handful of cute outfits. This is, by far, the cheapest way to acquire kid’s clothing. So, graciously accept any free clothing being offered to your family.
Save and reuse clothing from older siblings
I always save clothing for the next child in our family. Whenever the seasons change, I pack away all the clothes into plastic bins. After labeling the bins, I store them out-of-sight in our crawlspace. It’s a pain-in-the-butt pulling them out and sorting through them the next season, but I am willing to do it to save money.
Shop for second hand clothing
Look for second hand clothing options before heading to the store. You can find discounted clothing at consignment shops, thrift stores, and even on Facebook.
Shop the clearance racks
After all other options have been exhausted, it’s time to head to the store. Shopping the clearance racks can save you lots of money. When my oldest children were babies, I was the clearance rack queen. I would shop the clearance racks frequently, and I always purchased things for the following year. This worked great when my kids were toddlers, but stopped being useful when their growth stopped being so predictable.
Use reward points
I know many people who are debt free, don’t use credit cards. I do use credit cards, because I like having good credit (it just makes life easier). But I also use credit cards for the awesome benefits many cards offer. I have an Old Navy card, and I earn $5 rewards almost monthly. I will usually save my reward points until I have $20-$30. When I see a great deal (like 40% off the entire site), I’ll shop for clothing.
As you’re getting ready for the next season, I hope these tricks will help you cut down on the cost of clothing your children.