Wwhow, look at these savings!

New winter clothing can be expensive, and it’s one of those things your family just can’t do without.  The bad thing is that most of the clothing you bought your children last year won’t even fit them this year.  Jeans end up being too short while sweaters are too tight.

With today’s economy most families can’t afford to buy all the winter clothing they need new, and many are turning to more frugal options.  I went to Walmart with $20 and bought the cheapest winter clothing I could find for my daughter in size 2T.  I ended up with 2 shirts and 3 pairs of sweat pants that were a few cents under $4 each.  I then took $20 to a thrift store in my area and ended up with 6 pairs of winter pants, 1 pair of pj pants, 3 shirts, 1 dress for spring, and a fireman raincoat for my son.

Budget friendly resources for winter clothing include:

• -Consignment & thrift stores
• -Garage Sales
• -Clothing swaps with friends and family
• -eBay
• -Professionally organized consignment sales
• -Clearance clothing from retail stores

Clothing swaps are becoming more popular with each passing year.  It can be as simple as your neighbor handing down a bag of clothes from her children or as elaborate as a professionally organized neighborhood swap.  If you want to host a swap with your friends, invite several families that have multiple children.   You can ask people to bring all their non-fitting clothes or set a specific amount, such as fifteen items.  Spread the clothes you collect through different room of your house so that your friends won’t have to crowd together while searching for their new clothes.  Give everyone a shopping bag and have fun!  The more clothing everyone brings the more new (to them) clothing they get to take home.

Consignment shops are super!  You can take in the clothing, household items, and toys that your family no longer needs and make money.  Some consignment shops give you credit on the spot, while other shops make you wait until your items sell before they pay you.  If you need clothing right away call shops in your area to see who will give you credit up front.  There are even “consignment events” popping up in larger cities, where the consignment sale lasts just one weekend.  You register, set your own prices, take your stuff, and a week or two later get a check in the mail.

Garage sales are far and few between this time of year but if you’re lucky you can still catch a few.  People want to get rid of their stuff and sell great high quality clothing for quarters.  At the end of the day when people are dreading packing up what they didn’t sell is the time to make them an offer.

Sometimes, if you are very careful, you can get a box of clothing on eBay for just a few dollars.  The only downside is the shipping.  Try to buy clothing from internet auctions in lots shipped in flat rate boxes or shipped Parcel Post.  If you end up being the winning bid at $3 for 10 new pairs of socks, but then you have to turn around and pay $20 for shipping that’s not a very good deal.  Always take shipping costs into consideration before you bid, and ask yourself if they items you are buying are worth the price you will end up paying.  Sometimes you can get fantastic deals on eBay,  just think before you bid.

Retail stores run sales this time of year, and if you must buy new clothing go for the clearance section first.  Keep in mind that you can get cheap clothing in other places and don’t feel forced to make a purchase.  If you find a great deal on a sale item and it’s within your budget, buy and enjoy!

It’s getting colder everyday and budgets are getting tighter.  Even if you can’t run to the mall and buy all the winter clothing your family needs new, that’s okay.  Between thrift stores, consignment shops, a few late garage sales, and clothing swaps you should be able to find everything you need on any budget.  Do you have a resource for inexpensive clothing?  If so, leave a comment!