Frugal living...

Yesterday, a friend and I met up at a kids' consignment shop to do some browsing for the little ones. My kids don't need much for the summer season because I got them all they needed already, but I did browse for a few things that we needed, and for next season as well (I like to shop mostly a season in advance).

I always go to these stores (there are a few around here) before I go out to a retail store. I find that most of the items in these shops are always chosen with taste, which leaves me the job of finding tasteful clothing for my kids..and on top of that, if you go to the right area (like a prestigious one), you can get quality name brand clothes for a fraction of the price. Now why would I shop at a real Hanna Andersson store, if I could find my kids Hanna outfits for less than $10, in great condition, at a second-hand store?? Check it out. I got my girls mostly Hanna Andersson clothing, and a dress from an Australian popular store, Pumpkin Patch. All of this (6 articles of clothing) for $27.

My point is, when you're living on a frugal budget (not because you necessarily want to, but rather because you have to), you can still dress your kids in nice, quality clothing if you make a little bit of an extra effort.

My other favorite way to shop is, as I already mentioned, a season ahead of time. What I do usually, is I'll go to stores like GAP, Gymboree, OshKosh B'Gosh (just b/c those are my favorites) and shop their clearance racks for out-of-season clothes, looking for the next size up for each of my kids. Every pair of my son's shorts for this summer were bought last winter for $6 or less a pair. The stores want to get rid of their off-season clothes badly by that point, so they mark them down to just about the lowest price you'll ever be able to get. Usually, you can use a coupon on top of these clearance prices, too! I'll never forget the time I scored my middle daughter a gorgeous Gymboree dress brand new for $2.95! That's even better than you'll find at a second-hand store!

One of the most popular second-hand kids' stores is called Once Upon A Child. They have these all over the country. Other than that, a popular branch out in the Midwest is Kid-to-Kid. You can always check Google for your local consignment shops, too, though.

I have to mention that I've gotten some great deals through the years on EBay, too. I decide if an item is a good deal with the shipping calculated into the cost, because sometimes shipping can really make or break a good deal. If it's equal to or less than what I'd pay for a similar item in a secondhand store, I buy it. If not, I leave it.

I love a good deal!!