Clothing costs can increase rapidly, especially when your child grows rapidly. With some smart strategies, you can save money and dress up by buying clothes from thrift stores.
Here are Kelly Handley’s guest posts.
When my son was born ten years ago, my husband and I were shocked by the surge in the cost of our family, especially our clothing budget. In a casual and professional wardrobe with two working parents and a child who seems to need a new size every few months, we are expected to spend thousands of dollars on clothes in the first year after he was born. Something has to be changed.
A few months after my son was born, I went to see my first thrift store in years and was shocked by what I found in the kids section. So many items are still brand new with labels, and better yet, they are a small part of the quality brands I’ve paid for retail fast fashion.
I was immediately fascinated by the fact that my visit to the thrift store next year reduced our clothing budget from the planned $3,000 to less than $1,000. Not only that, but I also saved a lot of money for the extended family by buying higher quality items that could be passed on to my nieces and nephews. In this article, even if you have never been involved in thrift stores before, I can share the exact system you can use to save clothes.
Why thrift stores?
The demand for clothing has never been higher, and whether you are a stylish teenager, a growing baby or a career-focused companion, wearing good clothes can be very expensive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average family of three spends about $2,100 per year on clothing. That’s a lot of money! Every 3-6 months, young children surpass the size of their clothing every 3-6 months, and any opportunity to save money can go a long way.
In addition to saving money, thrift stores also offer many benefits for retail, including:
- Keep more money in the community and support local programs
- Transfer clothes from landfill
- Reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing new clothing
Strategic erotic shopping
Thrift stores are of course cheaper than retail prices (usually about 25% of the retail price of goods depending on conditions and other factors), but there are many ways to save more by strategically accessing. Here are some tips to further expand your budget:
1. Plan ahead
Know what you need and how much you want to visit every thrift store. Don’t be distracted or tempted to buy something you don’t need. This advice plan ahead also works for seasonal purchases; buy a season when you need something, which means you can get it at a steeper discount.
2. Maximize discounts
Will your thrift store discount certain color labels on certain days? Try to buy these items on the first day. Newsletter subscriber loyalty program or discount? Make sure you register! Donate coupons? Try to put down some items you don’t need; donating coupons can sometimes offer 20% or more discounts.
3. Be patient
If you don’t find what you’re looking for immediately, try again on a future visit. Take a moment to check every item you intend to purchase during each visit. Look for any wear or damage, odor or anything that may reduce its value and the wear you (or your family) end up wearing it. Make sure you check your return and refund policies as well, as they are very limited in many thrift stores.
4. Try something
Fit is important, but many thrift stores do not have any fixed rooms. If you don’t, make sure you do fabric tape measurements with you and know the measurements of family members.
5. Focus on staple foods
Try using a few “capsule” wardrobes that you can mix and match to make the most of each item.
6. Choose the best store
Thrift stores in wealthy neighborhoods often get the best donations and are easier to find hidden gems. In the long run, a few minutes of extra commute time can lead to a lot of savings!
7. Get early
New stocks, smaller crowds, and the first photo of the discounted price, awaits the first tourists at the thrift store every morning.
8. Compare stores
Not all thrift stores are cheap. Carry a phone with you and check the selling price on sites like eBay and Poshmark to ensure you get a lot of money.
in conclusion
By thrift, reducing the family’s clothing budget by 70%, which changes our perspective on value, consumption, quality and fashion. The money we saved has gone straight into my son’s college fund, creating long-term security rather than filling closets with low-quality items that quickly lose their appeal. If you follow these tips, you can also save money and create long-term security for yourself and your family!
Many people are surprised by our thrifty journey that not only are the money we save, but our wardrobe has become more functional. We have fewer pieces, but they are of higher quality and each product has a clear purpose. If the idea of overhauling the family’s clothes is overwhelming, start small – maybe just a few pieces or a type of clothing. Remember that every dollar you save on clothes is a dollar you can invest in what really matters to your family.
Happy thrift!
Kelly Handley, the founder of Ultimate Frugality, shares expert tips on clothing thrift and resale. Kelly’s years of experience finding hidden gems in thrift stores helps budget-conscious shoppers and amateur resellers save more and earn more money. Visit her blog for more money-saving fashion tips and thrifty tips!
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What is your most important secret to thrift? Please share in the comments!
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