We can all agree on the fact that a baby will change your budget. There are ways you can adjust your budget to save money and spend less on baby items. I will share with you today the details of a recent shopping spree, as well as some tips on how to save money when buying clothes for your children.
Consignment is the main way we buy Little’s clothing. Consignment shops are different from thrift stores because the owners of these stores choose to buy all their stock rather than have it donated. The items will have undergone some form of quality control prior to being placed on the racks. This is not to suggest that thrift stores do not have some awesome items – we definitely shop there too.
My favorite shop to buy Little’s clothes is once Upon a Child. (This is not a paid post, I simply like shopping there). They buy gently-used children’s clothing, toys and other gear, then resell them for a fraction the price of what they would sell it at retail. I have been able to find the items I need at OUAC, despite other stores being nearby. See to see if you have a OUAC nearby.
OUAC offers a “bag” sale twice a year where customers can purchase as many clearance items of clothing as they want for only $15. Little already has enough clothes for this year, so I bought him some items in the next size. I think they will be great for next fall and winter. In the past, I purchased 12-18-month items for him at this sale. He wore them last year, and many of them this year. This year I bought 24 month and 2T size items, which are currently too large. I bought a few things for a friend’s little girl who was born a day after Little celebrated her first birthday.
This is my bag that I brought with me before checking out.
5 Tips on Buying Consignment Clothes For Children
You may not live near a Once Upon a Child. Have no fear! You can still find great clothes secondhand for your children. Here are my top five tips to save money on children’s clothes.
Track what you already own
Take inventory of the items you have before you go shopping. Do you need to buy more long-sleeved shirts for your child? Bottoms? Pajamas? What about special pieces, like a new jacket? Fit the clothes you already have in your closet? You will be able to stay focused and know what to buy if you are aware of what you already have. It’s important to create a uniform wardrobe for your children, regardless of their style. Before you go shopping, think about what new pieces would work well with the existing ones.
Find consignment shops near you, and find out when they are having their sales
My OUAC holds their bag sales twice a year, as I mentioned today. This is my biggest sale, so I always keep an eye out for the dates in winter and summer. You should also pay attention to clearance sales throughout the year, as kids grow so fast that you cannot always predict what clothes they will wear at bi-annual sale. You can also find great deals at smaller sales that occur throughout the year.
Join Facebook groups for resell
There are SO MANY resell groups in on Facebook. Everyday I see so many people selling gently-used clothes and equipment for children. It’s in such great condition. These groups can be used to find specific items. It can save you a lot of time as consignment shops and thrift stores are constantly changing their inventory.
Find out about local consignment sale events hosted by organizations all year round
I also recommend facebook in this case. Many local groups will hold pop-up consignment sale throughout the year. The sales are usually for a couple of days, and there is often a sale with a 50% discount or more near the end. I know many people who got great deals on clothes, toys, equipment, etc. These sales are a great way to save money.
Don’t forget thrift stores
Don’t forget thrift stores. I’ve found that thrift stores do not always have items for babies, but you can still find some great stuff for toddlers and older. Many thrift shops also support local charities that help others in the community.