How I Save $$$ on Clothes for Four Kids

I have four children. Clothing four kids appropriately (and somewhat stylishly, might I add) for four seasons a year can get pretty expensive, especially considering how rapidly they grow (new shoes twice a year… say what??).

Clothing four kids on one income takes planning, creativity, and resourcefulness.  Here are some of my favorite ways to avoid busting the clothing budget:

1. Clothing swaps/hand-me-downs. Swap clothes with friends, relatives, or co-workers. If you belong to a mom’s group, this is a great place to swap clothing for your kiddos. Bring the clothes that no longer fit/suit your kids, and get some fresh threads for free. Save money, time (hello–no fitting room meltdowns), and closet space.
2. Seasonal consignment sales. When I found out about seasonal consignment sales, I was pregnant with my third child. Check your region for seasonal sales, which are a gold mine of clothing, toys, shoes, books, furniture, strollers, car seats, bedding, and a ton of other items. Consign to get some cash back for your gently used items. Sign up as a volunteer and earn cash to spend at the sale. These sales normally last from one to a few days. Toward the end of the sale, items are typically discounted 25-50%. Most consignment sales will give you the option to donate your unsold items. Either way–get that stuff out of your house! The money you can earn is icing on the cake.
3. Thrift stores/consignment stores. You can find some gems at thrift stores like Goodwill, Second Avenue, and Value Village. If you go on a discount day–you can make out like a bandit. Some of my favorite thrifted items for my kids were a pair of Osh Kosh overalls and a Gap snowsuit. If you’re not into thrift stores, or you don’t have any good thrift stores in your neighborhood–check into consignment stores. In my area, we have a secondhand store called Once Upon A Child. Consignment clothing costs more than most thrift stores, but the quality is assured. You are sure to find name brand clothing in excellent condition.
4. Online auction and consignment. EBay, ThredUp, Poshmark, and Mercari are all viable options for shopping on the go. All four platforms have an app and a website you can use to shop for deals on gently used kids’ clothing and shoes. You can list and price your own items to sell on eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. To sell on ThredUp, you send all of your stuff to them for free (they pay for shipping), but you won’t make as much of a profit. If you are just trying to unload some items and don’t feel like hauling a bunch of bags to the thrift store, selling on ThredUp is a decent option and hey–you might make enough to treat yourself to a latte.
5. Retail store sales and clearance. Timing is everything when shopping off the racks at local stores. Department stores such as Kohl’s offer coupons that can be stacked with sales and other discounts. Target also features weekly Cartwheel deals and coupons that come in handy. When shopping online, search sites like RetailMeNot for promo codes.  I have gotten coupon codes by crowdsourcing my Facebook friends.  If you have time to scour the clearance racks, shop at the end of the season for the deepest discounts. Size up and plan ahead for next year. The best time of year to get swimsuits for next year is around Labor Day. School uniforms tend to go on sale after Spring Break. With just a little bit of planning, you can save big.

I hope you find these tips useful. What are your best shopping tips? Leave a comment!