My child is a bit of a spoiled diva. You see, she can only wear any outfit once.
I'm kidding. She can wear an outfit more than once, but girlfriend has so much clothes, that she barely gets to wear anything more than once before she outgrows them. I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to baby clothes. I just can't stop buying.
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| [ Top - Old Navy second hand $1 || Bottoms - Old Navy second hand $2 ] |
My biggest money saver is the fact that 98% of Chloe's wardrobe is second hand, with items being $1-4 each. Compared to paying $10-30 a piece in stores, you would think that I'm saving a fortune. In reality, I think I spend even more on clothes just because I know everything I'm buying is so cheap.
If you follow me on Instagram, you'll see that I almost always post a daily photo of what Chloe's wearing. It's not because I think we're so fashionable. It's because she might not get to wear that outfit again. And because she's cute.
So if you think you're better at controlling your spending than I am, here are some tips on how to get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to clothing a small child.
1. Local Buy and Sell Groups and Websites.
Like Craigslist, Kijiji, or a local Facebook group. Most of my clothing comes from a local Children's Buy and Sell Facebook group that a couple of mothers threw together. Check to see if you have one in your area, if not maybe you could be the one to create one. I live in a really small city, and the group has over 2000 people now.
All of the following clothing was bought second-hand, either through Facebook or another buy and sell website. The most expensive was the pink Winnie the Pooh jumper outfit, which was $4 for both items.
2. Browse the second-hand shops.
You never know what you're going to find at these stores. I found a onesie that says "Too cute to play with your ugly ass kid" at a thrift store not long ago. It's so wrong, but so funny. I also got a ton of shirts for $0.99-$1.99, and a lot of brand name jeans for $1.99 each. Five pairs of jeans for $10? You can't get those kinds of deals buying brand new.
3. Always check out the sales.
The following items were all bought brand new on clearance.
Photo 1 - $3 pjs from Wal-Mart that went on clearance over the summer, and fit Chloe in the fall/winter.
Photo 2 - Snow suit (regular $49) that I paid $14 for this week, because she just outgrew her other winter coat, and I know it will fit her for the remainder of this winter, which around here will probably until the month of April. After that, it'll still be in good enough condition that I'll be able to get most of my money back when I sell it. It's hard to find a coat and snow pants for $14 anywhere.
Photo 3 - Bathing suit bought brand new at The Children's Place at the end of June for $4. It was good for all of July and August before she stopped wearing it.
Photo 4 - $3 dress from Wal-Mart. This was an impulse buy, bought too close to the end of summer so she only got to wear it once. I still love it, and have it stored away in case my next baby is a girl. If not, I'll probably be able to sell it for at least $2 anyway.
Sometimes seasonal items go on clearance when there's still a lot of time left to use them.
4. Re-sell your gently used children's clothing.
I make most of my money back on everything I buy by re-selling. It takes a lot of time, patience and effort some days, but it's worth getting the money back. Some things get stained and are not fit to resell, and usually I'll donate those items or give away for free.
5. Shop ahead.
It usually pretty easy to figure out what size your child will be in when the next season rolls around. Buy stuff ahead of time. If you know you'll be taking your baby to a pool during the winter, buy bathing suits when they go on clearance at the end of the summer.
Before Chloe was born I bought three bathing suits - 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. I paid $3 for each, when the regular price would've been $10 for one. I've already got a bin of stuff for Chloe to wear this summer. Sure, I'm taking chances that some of it won't fit, but when I'm paying $1-2 an item, I can just re-sell them in the summer to someone else in need. I also bought her a small inflatable pool last year when they went on sale to use this year for $4.
Chloe will always need indoor shoes for daycare. She just got a pair of size 4 sneakers, and I'm on the lookout now for a nice cheap pair in the next size up.
6. Don't go overboard, like me
Chloe's closet and dresser are full of clothes. The same goes for Madi. I also have four bins in our basement - one filled with 12-24 month clothing, one with summer clothing of all sizes, one with size 2 clothing, and one with a little bit of size 3 and 4 clothing (mostly gifts in that bin).
It's great to be ready - because we've got two girls that fit in clothes ranging from size 12 months to 2T, but I'll be the first to admit that I've got maybe a little too much.
Just keep track of what you're buying and what you need. No one needs 15 pairs of size 2 pjs. Not even our two girls.
Do you shop brand new or second hand? Do you have any money saving tips when it comes to children's clothing?
