I can almost see a classified ad saying, "Wanted: A source for cheap kids clothes. My kids are growing out of their clothes faster than I can replace them." If you are like many other parents (and even store owners), you may be trying to develop a strategy to get more for your dollar. When I say "cheap," I'm not talking about "cheap quality." I use the word "cheap," since as I write this, frankly, I'm feeling a liitle bit like a cheapskate right now when it comes to buying clothes. But, I'm not the only one tightening my belt. We're looking for bargains. We want to get the most bang for our buck. And there's nothing wrong with that. Even though some may be feeling that the economy is a bit unstable for them at the moment, with a bit of thought, we can still outfit our children nicely. Perhaps not to the standards of a Beverly Hills boutique, but then again... who really wants his or her kid running around playing in a $200 outfit that will be worth one dollar at the next yard sale (complete with the grass and mud stains)? But you also don't want your child to think that he or she is wearing the hand me downs that no one wants. This is where figuring out how to purchase cheap kids clothes takes some thought. That said, here are some thoughts to consider to help you shop smart without the need to get a bank loan to do so. We all know about yard sales and thrift stores by now. But, unless your child is something really special, he or she may not relish waltzing around with you on a Saturday morning from yard sale to yard sale or thrift store to thrift store. I'm guessing that it might be a bit less stressful if you could shop without having the children with you, but I realize that this is not always an option. One solution to this is to follow the example I gleaned from an exceptionally clever mom a while back. While her kids were still in the stage where they were all growing out of their clothes faster than she could buy them, she told them that their journeys to thrift stores and yard sales were "treasure hunting." In other words, she found ways to make it fun. The kids could find small items that they liked while she was concentrating more on getting her hands on some cheap kids clothes. Another idea is to put out a notice on a community bulletin board or CraigsList that you are willing to swap children's clothing for some items you might not be using any longer. For example, maybe someone wants that waffle iron and is willing to swap a few of her son's outfits for it. Again, be creative. Or, let's say your pre-teen is about to enter a growth spurt. Why not have a yard sale of your own to clear out a lot of the "stuff" that Junior isn't using anymore? You can earmark the money for new clothes that way. How about this: What if rather than simply buying clothes at a consignment store, the owner would allow a trade? You could then exchange your son's or daughter's outgrown clothing for a more updated wardrobe. Search online using terms like "discount kids clothes" so that you don't wind up at a pricey online store that won't save you any money. In fact, have some friends shop with you so you can make a bulk order and save money on shipping! Again, the reality is that many of today's parents are looking for bargains. Cheap kids clothes. If you are in this category, remember: You are not alone! This article offered only a few ideas. Why not get together with a few other parents and brainstorm some more ideas over your kids' playdates or over coffee? You may be impressed by the ideas that spring up!
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