Save Money on Kids’ Clothes with Hand-Me-Downs

I have often wondered why kids’ clothes are so darn expensive.  I mean, they use less fabric than adult clothing, but are priced the same if not higher.  I will never forget walking into Stride Right with my first child and picking up this tiny size 3 pair of shoes for $50!  I thought they had lost their mind.  Those little tiny adorable shoes where more than what I was comfortable paying for myself a pair of shoes. How can they charge those prices?

With 3 kids under 10 in my house we have learned to shop on a budget.  I am blessed that we have a store down the road from my house called  Bealls Clearance Center.  They frequently have 70% + off retail clothing.  It is not unusual for me to walk out of there spending $80 on 2 huge bags full of clothes.  Gotta love it.

Even better than that is when I can get clothes for free!  Well, they weren’t completely free. I paid for them once, my oldest daughter wore them, outgrew them, and they went into a plastic storage container.  Today I got to cash in on one of those bins.

I brought this huge bin of size 4 clothes in for my 2 year old.  Yes, I know she is big.   Her Daddy is big.  I am still trying to get used to it.  Anyway, you should have heard the little ooohs, and ahhhs and Thank you Mommys coming out of this little girl.  All at once she put on a Strawberry Shortcake dress, ballet slippers, and a coat.  I swear she wondered around the house in it for atleast 30 minutes just primping.  She had no clue that they weren’t new, because they were new to her.

We now have a full wardrobe for my little giant, and it didn’t cost me anything.  Sure I still have to buy socks and underwear, but that is far cheaper than what it would cost for this amount of new clothing.  I don’t feel as guilty when I purchase something a little more pricey for my older daughter because I know it will get 2 uses.

We aren’t as lucky with my son.  No Hand-Me-Downs, but boys aren’t as picky as girls.  He is happy with a couple of $4 Target shorts and some T Shirts from the clearance section.  If you don’t have anyone to give you hand me downs, keep an ear out for other Moms that you could possibly swap with. Ask around your church or your playgroup.  They often hold clothing and toy swaps, which are a great way to get what you need for next to nothing.

Another great resource is Children’s Consignment shops, and yard sales.  You can really clean up at places like this and find some fabulous clothing for very little money.  Kids need clothes and they grow fast.  Don’t spend that $50 on a pair of shoes, when you could trade or save huge by just finding some pre-loved hand me downs.