5 Tips to Save Money Shopping for Children

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This month’s posts have all focused on frugality and its relationship to minimalism, and even the environment. These 5 tips to save money shopping for children includes intentional shopping. One of my most frugal habits since becoming a mother is in how I consume clothing for myself and my family. According to Over Dressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion Americans buy and hoard “roughly twenty million garments per year as a nation” (Cline 3). This fact alone illuminates the blinding light onto the consignment clothing market. We live in a day where shopping consignment could actually buy you a higher quality piece at a lower price, simply because most of us over consume.

Practicing minimalism or frugality doesn’t mean you don’t buy anything ever again. It instead means you only buy high quality pieces that will last. I still need to purchase apparel like coats, shoes, special occasion clothes, and miscellaneous products like step stools. For these I shop second hand first.

Denim and Frills

My favorite consignment shop in the Vancouver, WA area is Denim and Frill’s. They were conveniently located close to where we live in, but unexpectedly their entire store was burned in a fire a few months ago. I was heartbroken to see the wreckage as I drove by a couple days later. They are a resilient bunch and have opened up in a new location, with their grand opening happening the second week in May! Donations can still be given at Sundin Realty on 20th Ave, Vancouver WA 7 days a week. Feel free to call the new shop phone at 360-571-9014 and make an appointment. Stay tuned on their facebook page for their grand opening info!

I felt the need to mention this store in my post as I’ve purchased many high quality pieces and I think they deserve a fresh start! Feel free to check them out at their new location in May, or stop by to donate or sell any items you have cluttering your home.

5 Tips to Save Money by Shopping Consignment for Children

1. Buy Gender Neutral Colors

Whenever I buy clothing for my daughter I try to buy gender neutral colors. This helps our family in that the product could be used for a cousin, or a future child no matter the gender. Also, gender neutral colors are usually darker and show less stains, as this is inevitable.

2. Check the Quality

Name brand doesn’t necessarily mean quality. Check the stitching and zippers before purchasing. I’ve never actually had any issues in quality at Denim and Frill’s but it’s a good habit to practice. Always return the item if product malfunctions.

3. Bring a List

I always have specific items that I need to purchase on a list when I enter a store. There are so many products and clothing to choose from I could easily spend more than I desired to. Having a list and sticking to it helps me avoid impulse shopping.

4. Sell Your Stuff/ Declutter Your Home

Many times I have entered the store to buy a bike helmet, or a coat and never had to spend any actual money. This happens frequently if you sell your high quality clothing or products in the store. Before I had a niece to give away barely worn clothing or baby products to, I sold it first at the consignment store. This allowed me to save up store credit, which basically allowed me to shop free for needed items.

5. Enjoy the Gratitude of Purchasing Secondhand

Furthermore, When you purchase something secondhand you give new life to a piece of clothing, or product that was barely used. Doesn’t it make you feel good that you can use something to its full potential? Know that every time you purchase secondhand you are sending a message to the economy that more products do not need to be made, as a result resources can be saved. Yes, it’s only one purchase, but multiplied my hundreds of parents, buying secondhand can really make a difference.

Final Thoughts

As a consequence, shopping for children’s clothing at a consignment store allows you to stop the cycle of overconsumption, helps you declutter your own home and be of use for other parents with children, and saves you money. Honestly, in an age where secondhand clothing is available in large quantities, doesn’t it make the most sense? You also can buy higher quality for a lower price. Check out other frugal habits to save you $1000 a month with this blog post too!

Don’t forget to check out Denim and Frill’s new store location and their grand opening in May. You can follow them on FB here for all the store details.

Join the Discussion

What are frugal habits you keep when shopping for your family?

Follow Along

P.S. I always ask readers to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I consciously try to document my everyday simple life. Since we happen to be on a debt free journey it can be motivating because most of my activities are intentionally inexpensive. However, if you’re trying to cut out social media, you’ll need to subscribe directly to this blog.

P.P.S It’s fashion revolution week! Check out fashionrevolution.org for more information on how to hold brands, the fashion industry, and consumers accountable for work rights, our planet, and conscious consuming!

Author

-Maria Halcumb
B.A. in Secondary Education, English, and Physical Education
M.A. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and Reading Specialist

Sources

Cline, Elizabeth L. Overdressed: the Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion. Penguin Books, 2013.