Stretching the Clothing Budget: Consignment Sales



As a working home keeper, earning two incomes does not mean spending two incomes!  We have a small, monthly cash allowance established to keep three growing children clothed.  One of my tools for stretching that allowance is consignment sales.  Recently, I shopped a new to me consignment sale in the area.  I always save my shopping for the last day of the sale, when most items are typically 50-75% off.  I also have the advantage of shopping for older children while most of the other shoppers are competing over infant/toddler clothing and accessories.

My game plan:  stick with the basics.  For the boys, I look for solid colors, simple patterns or plaids.  I avoid jeans and go for khakis (in navy blue, black or tan) and cords.  Polo shirts are always a good buy for a casual or semi-dressy look depending on the occasion. 





I love scoring uniform pants and shorts as they are durable.  But, look quite polished when ironed and creased. 

 

 



I keep my eyes out for bigger name brands (like my gone but not forgotten favorite, Talbots Kids), but also adore brands like Old Navy and Cherokee.  No character clothing -  unless it's an absolute favorite and $1 or less.  But, favorite sports teams are a buy (especially at a good price!).



 For girl's clothing:  pretty, sweet, feminine, age-appropriate and modest in length and neckline.  Nothing too dark in nature or too flashy.  No characters (though Ashleigh is beyond that age now).  But, always room for a little fun (like leopard print pajamas with pink trim and sparkly buttons!).  Plus, Daddy is always there to offer a discerning eye.  Giving the veto to anything he doesn't feel is appropriate or a good value.

I'm already excited for the Fall sale!

Mary Ellen          

Attention Target Shoppers...Winter Hats On Clearance!

Attention Target shoppers!  The markdown on winter accessories has begun!  On a recent shopping trip to one of our local Target stores, I found some winter items marked down.  I picked up this cute Merona felt cloche hat for just $5.08 :)  The gloves were 50% in our store, but I'm going to wait for those to go 75% off or more.  That's when I typically replenish my supply of gloves, mittens and hats for the kids.  In our house, gloves seem to get lost or lose their mate, so I stock up when they're cheap!

Merona Pink Oversized Flower Felt Cloche

Mary Ellen

Disclosure

Ashleigh's First Vintage Dress

My Momma has been doing a bit of Spring cleaning lately.  She's been going through her walk-in closet and removing any clutter and organizing the items she wants to keep.  During her excavations yesterday, she came across a couple dresses of mine from when I was a little girl.  Ashleigh quickly laid claim to a pink dress with puffed sleeves and white pinafore.  She's expressed a desire to wear more dresses (like mother, like daughter!).  So, Ashleigh's Spring dress collection will start out with an actual 1980's "vintage" dress.  Isn't it crazy the 80's are considered vintage now?  I feel so old!

    

Ashleigh with her kitten Kiss-Kiss

My Momma also found one of my most treasured dresses from when I was a little girl.  My Alice in Wonderland dress from Disney World!  For a time, my oldest sister lived in Florida.  On one of our visits down to see her, we went to Disney and bought this dress while there.  The pinafore has the white rabbit with his watch embroidered on the front.  I still remember getting my picture taken in this dress.  With my black, patent leather Mary Jane, block-heeled shoes and two, long side ponytails hanging down by my face.  I felt like a princess! 

Mary Ellen

Buying Ahead - Kids Shoes

I've practiced the "buying ahead principle" in grocery shopping for awhile now.  When an item we use is on sale, I will buy a few extra for the pantry (as the budget allows).  The goal is to avoid paying full price for the items you use the most, thus saving money in the long run.  I've now started to apply this same buy ahead strategy for the kids shoes!  I buy most of the kids clothing second hand at yard sales, Goodwill and consignment sales.  But for shoes, I typically buy new.  Less worries about foot "ickies" and improper support.  Target is my go to place for buying the kids' shoes.  They always seem to have a good selection on clearance.  When I come across a good clearance sale, I will buy a pair in their current size and also one size up (as the clothing budget allows, of course!).  So, when they grow out of their current shoe size, we'll already have one or two sizes ahead for less than retail.

Mary Ellen
 

Shop Target Clearance Items - Save up to 75%!


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Dressing Kids for Less - Nearly New Consignment Sale

My haul from the Nearly New Consignment Sale

Our clothing budget is a whopping $25 a month.  Keeping three growing kids clothed on said budget takes some prudent and savvy shopping!  While I buy most of my clothes at the Goodwill, I've found clearance racks, yard sales and consignments sales to be a better buy for kids clothing.  At those places, I can typically find childrens clothing in better condition and for less money than at Goodwill.  

Girls clothing for Ashleigh

For the past few years, I managed to find some great buys at a local church yard sale.  Sadly, the church decided to no longer hold the seasonal sales.  So I've been on the look out for new sales.  Recently, I received a flyer in the mail for a consignment sale being held at a church near our house.  I wasn't able to make it out for the first day of the sale because of work.  So, I anxiously awaited for the last day of the sale, when most items were 50 - 75% off!   

Boys clothing for Clayton & Reed

Even on the last day, I was still able to find some great name brand items for $1 - $1.50 a piece.  In total, I bought 20 items and paid $20.28 for everything.  Not too shabby!

Where do you find the best deals on kids clothing?

Mary Ellen