Clothing Your Kids Without Losing Your Shirt
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One of my back to school highlights as a child was going “back to school” shopping. Granted this was in the 80’s before the internet allowed all sorts of information and online shopping. And I was not frugal unless I wanted to me.
In fact, having grown up in a suburb of Los Angeles, just a stone’s throw from Hollywood, I drooled over the Guess jeans and the Swatch watches that I never owned. And, I’ve lived to tell about.
Thankfully, my boys aren’t into too many “status” items, except maybe video game stuff and those they pay for themselves. But, what if I have a daughter like I was?
Heaven help me!
But, seriously, what’s a mom to do when a kid wants expensive clothing that simply isn’t in the budget?
Here are some ideas I’ve thought of, and I hope you’ll add some in the comments.
1. Shop clearance.
I do this all the time, brand name or not. My personal favorite is Target, but I know that even more upscale stores offer clearance sections. Recently, I found next year’s swim trunks for the boys as low as $2.48. I bought four suits for the price of one at full price.
Make it a regular habit to browse the stores your child likes and find classic pieces (read: those that will last the year, fashion-wise) at low prices.
2. Browse thrift stores and garage sales.
My friend Jen has unbelievable skills when it comes to finding treasures second hand. She is, indeed, a frugal fashionista. I know from her experience that there is a wealth of gently-used clothes waiting just for the taking.
3. Keep up with online deals.
There is no shortage of deals to be had if you follow what’s cheap online.
- Sign up for Swagbucks and buy clothes for free on Amazon.
- Make online purchases via Ebates or ShopatHome and get cash back on internet orders.
4. Make your kids buy their own.
Seriously, people, just because our kids want something, doesn’t mean they have a God-given right to have it given to them. As parents, we have a responsibility to clothe our children with clean, decent clothing. But, nowhere in the parenting contract does it say that you have to buy them the latest and greatest, especially if you don’t have the funds.
Kids who are old enough to have specific clothing desires are old enough to earn money to make those purchases themselves. And if they have to hand over their own hard earned cash, they may be more likely to see the wisdom of frugality.
What do YOU do to save money?
Share your favorite money-saving ideas today. Leave a link to a post that shares some frugal wisdom. (Please no giveaways or deals posts. Teach us how to fish!)
My son is now 12, and whatever ‘mom’ finds isn’t cool. No way. So we had a discussion and he now gets $60 / month for everything. I dictate that if he ‘needs’ socks, they get purchased first. Now I’m not constantly being asked for $4 for this or that, lunch money because he’s tired of pb sandwiches, or the ‘have to have the $60 pair of high top shoes’. Last time we picked up shoes he was a lot more agreeable to look at the $16 pair! While this may not work for everyone, he was already receiving $10 a week (and I was prepared to go up to maybe $70 or $80 a month but he didn’t ask – the $60 was his idea).
I have a question about buying clearance for next season. I tried this for my daughter twice. She has been in the 50th percentile for height and weight since birth. But it seems to me her growth spurts happen off-season. So I’ve done great on clearance shorts ($1.48 a pair) at target, but they are either too big or too small when that season rolls around.
Does anyone else have trouble doing this? Am I doing it wrong? I always assumed that I just get the next size up.
@Amanda, For example, at the end of summer last year I bought her shorts in a size 5 at $1.48. She was wearing 4/4T last summer. All summer we’ve tried the size 5 shorts and they have been too big.
They just started fitting this week. School starts on Tuesday. She’ll end up wearing them twice. So while $1.48 was a steal, in the end she didn’t really need it. But since she is now in 5’s I don’t know if I should buy 5s for next summer or 6s. See my dilemna?
@Amanda, Do your daughter’s growth spurts occur at somewhat predictable times? For example, after the first couple of years, I’ve learned that my daughter tends to have a growth spurt in January (about six months after her birthday) — so I know to stock up on winter pajamas in the next size up at after-Christmas sales. (Except for that baby year. When she outgrew *everything* in the coldest week of the year. In Minnesota.) So, if your daughter’s growth spurts seem to be regularly timed around the end of summer, maybe you would be better off stocking up on size 5s for next year’s summer clothes.
@TopazTook, Thanks for the suggestion. Now that I think about it the growth spurt does happen around her birthday which is in the summertime and another one in March. Appreciate the feedback.
I have kids aged 7-17, and agree that they can be taught frugality. Shopping second hand, sewing, mending what they have, and shopping sales are all helpful skills. Making an occasional mistake is, too.
Great post!
Thanks for providing the linky.
Annie Kate
I just wrote a post about this. I do encourage finding a theme to build a wardrobe around so that you don’t just end up with a bunch of cheap clothing that doesn’t coordinate.
There was this pair of black boots that I wanted SOOOO badly in 9th grade. Usually my mom bought my clothes, but those boots she deemed a luxury item and refused to purchase. I coughed up my babysitting money and got the fancy black boots. I wore them every day that fall and winter, so I guess I got my money’s worth!? They obviously made quite an impression because I can still remember them 23 years later, which goodness knows I couldn’t say about any other item of clothing I owed. So, yes, I definitely agree with you that kids can be “made” to spring for their own luxury clothing items!
I always buy clothes when they are on clearance. Even online stuff! The Children’s Place and Gymboree just had great clearance sales on their kids’ clothes for $4 to $6. I try buying a size larger so that my kids can where them next year, because usually clearance items mean end of the season for their clothes. I just bought several tank tops, shorts and swimming trunks that will be great for next summer!
Thanks for hosting! I look forward to it every week!
We’ve found great prices in Kohl’s clearance section (both online and in the store). Combining those clearance savings with their 15%, 20%, or 30% off coupons has resulted in some VERY exciting deals!
Great post. I never EVER pay full price for clothes either! My friends “mock” me because I shop the clearance rack AND use coupons!
Also, in 2009, I made a New Years resolution not to spend any money on clothes for the entire year. I did ask for store gift cards for Christmas/Birthdays but I made it an entire year with out spending any of my own money on clothes.
One tip I have is to limit how many clothes your children may own. For a mother of sons, this may seem silly. My little guy never asks for any clothing items. However, his 4 sisters (I’m not counting sister #5 who is only 2) LOVE new clothes. (And they get that honestly, I’m afraid.) Once my girls have enough clothes for a season, I tell them they may not purchase more (even with their own money.) I encourage them not to even look. If they find something they just must have, they must part with something else. Of course if it’s their birthday or shopping for a special event, I allow them. Also, “enough” is actually way more than enough!
My girls are 15, 13, 11, 8 and 2. The older three girls are learning to be frugal shoppers and stylish ones too! I give them a clothing allowance and allow them to shop for deals. They are learning first hand that it pays to wait for sales and shop off-season.
Shop now for next year- I always buy end of the season clearance for next year. Ask your friends for hand-me-downs. I get lots of nice clothes from others.