Clothing shopping for kids? Take a few sneakly lessons to keep costs down
My kids are growing so quickly, I swear their shirts and pants are several inches too short every time we do our annual winter clothing audit.
If you have growing kiddos like me, it can be pricey to replace entire wardrobes when the temperature drops. Summer offers a little bit of forgiveness in this area: The warm weather means snug T-shirts and tanks can likely make it another season. In winter though, you’ll want to ensure they are fully protected against the elements. Below are a few tips to mitigate costs if you find yourself needing to replace a lot of items:
Second-Hand Stores
This is a great way to dodge a large shopping bill while avoiding hectic holiday shopping crowds. Look for popular brands at second-hand prices, and then you can bundle and sell them on Facebook marketplace once they are outgrown. Expert tip- be sure to check the elbows and knees for wear and tear. Otherwise they can easily rip after purchase.
For brand lovers
Some kiddos love brands more than others. Nike, Under Armour and Justice are all popular for school-aged kids. If you’d like to splurge on some key pieces but don’t want to overspend on your overall clothing budget, I have an idea for you. Pick up a handful of name-brand pants or shirts (utilizing sales, of course!), and then mix and match them with affordable, solid-colored cotton tops and bottoms. This offers an expensive looking wardrobe for less than half the cost!
Buying off-season
Many expert shoppers know that shopping from the clearance rack in the off-season is a great way to keep your kids’ wardrobes fresh all year. Although that won’t help you this season, you’ll get things going in advance for spring and summer and will be prepared for winter 2020. If you go this route, buy a size up to accommodate additional growing.
Shopping when you’re already saving for the holidays is never ideal, but with these tips, your kids will be bundled up for winter on a dime.
Kat’s Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, visit http://communityamerica.com.