5 Tips for Cost-Effectively Restocking Your Child’s Closet

July 25, 2008 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar

Summer months are drifting by and soon it will be time once again for school to begin. This means to most parents the dreaded expense of buying a new wardrobe to replace last year’s school clothes they have outgrown in a short period of time. Of course it is nice to be able to buy your kids the latest and the greatest trends in today’s fashion but the reality is that it just does not make financial sense. Investing the cash you could save on clothes and putting that money into a college tuition account for your children would be a much better alternative for your money.

Here are some simple tips to help keep shopping for your kids wardrobe in perspective.

1. Stop The Impulses - How many parents can walk into a store, see a precious little outfit and not exclaim how cute it would look on their little girl? It probably doesn’t happen often and retailers know that. Impulse buying kid’s clothes can cost you a pretty penny so avoid it as much as possible. Sure it would look great on your kid, but college funds look better.

2. Don’t Shop Retail - There are so many great liquidation-type stores available nowadays where you can find bargains and still retain quality and brand names, without the large costs. A slight drawback to the liquidation stores is occasionally it takes a good hunter to find a good bargain. Liquidation stores often contain a large mixture of clothing and other items that may not be in as neat an order as a upscale department store. Nevertheless, the same brand name clothing can be found for a reduced price at these liquidation and outlet stores. Remember when you buy clothes for older children, stick to basic colors or patterns so they will be able to be handed down to younger siblings regardless of gender.

3. Shop for Seconds - Thrift stores offer plenty of selections on children’s clothes, though not all are in the best of condition. However, when looking for infant clothing, dress pants, and blouses for kids tends to not get much use so the items available in a secondhand shop are likely to be like new. Plus, it doesn’t make much sense to spend a fortune on articles of clothing that your child will hardly wear. Be sure to check all clothing for holes, ripped seams, and missing pieces such as buttons or defective zippers, even if the tags are still attached.

4. Save On Designs - What parent hasn’t been assaulted by the marketing ploys involved in children’s products? Unfortunately, it is usually the kids who get hooked on images and products they see repeatedly on television commercials and repeatedly pester parents to make the purchase of the latest pop-culture phenomenon. To combat the pressure of the tykes, try looking at craft stores for appliqués to add to a plain t-shirt, which cost way less licensed character items. Your kid will have a one of a kind item and your budget will remain intact.

5. Trade Around - If you are friendly with other parents who have children of varying ages, organize a clothes trade. Gather all of the clothing your children no longer can wear and put it in a box. Pass the box to the other families who can do the same thing. Once each family has had a chance to peruse the box at least one time, donate all the remaining items to the secondhand store.

Posted in budgeting, children, debt, family, free stuff, personal behavior, saving money

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