Raising children can be expensive. According to Wikipedia (the ever reliable sort) the average spending per year, per child, is approximately $9500 for dual parent families, making less than $59,410. I am about 99% sure that I don't spend nearly that much on Little Guy, and 100% sure that families with more than 3 children cannot possibly spend that much, seeing as how the average income of the families surveyed was $38,000.
Regardless of how much children do or do not cost, it is always great to find ways to make it less expensive. One of the easiest ways to save money is to spend less on clothes.
- Shop at Second-Hand Stores!
- Children grow quickly, so spending $25 on a pair of jeans that will only fit them for a few months isn't the wisest way to spend money.
- Purchasing second hand clothes is ecological as well as economical. If no one bought used clothes, all of the clothes that no longer fit children would be in landfills, despite having lots of wear left in it.
- There is a lot more variety available in a good second hand store than in a regular store, so you will always be able to find something you like.
- Utilize Facebook B/S/T Groups!
- I live in a fairly low population area and there are numerous Buy/Sell/Trade groups. If I extend my search into the nearest urban area, there are tons! You can even post ISO (In Search Of) posts to have people offer up the things that you need.
- This is also great because you are helping people in your own area, and you save gas buying super local.
- There are Buy Nothing groups on Facebook as well, which are perfect because you can feel free to ask for free items without it being greedy, because that is the whole purpose of the groups.
- Swap With Your Friends!
- This can be formal at a clothing swap (which are super fun excuses to get together with your friends and eat yummy snacks) or informal and just ask your friends if they have any clothes they are not using and would like to swap with you, or loan to you.
- Oftentimes your friends and family will offer you hand-me-downs, and you can pass on the savings with your children's old clothes.
- Save Your Children's Clothes!
- If you have room, and you plan to have more children, keep all the outgrown clothes for the future.
- For some people, space is a premium. If you don't have room to store your outgrown clothes, you can always sell or consign them.
- Look at the Clearance Racks!
- If you can find the clearance racks at a second hand store, this is a double whammy! Today I bought my son all of the following clothes for $25:
- Two pairs of jeans
- Four pairs of shorts
- Three dress shirts
- Two t-shirts
- Even at a regular store, you can get great prices on clothes if you wait to buy it on clearance. For instance at Children's Place a t-shirt at regular price is $9, but on clearance right now it is less than $4. Polo shirts are a similar deal.
I love saving money, and clothing seems to be the easiest place to save money, without losing out on quality or quantity!
What is your favorite money saving tip?
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