Children’s Clothing: Bang for your buck

by Jenae Crowley

There is a way to clothe your children in high-quality, namebrand clothes without spending a fortune. And it’s definitely not rocket science—you just have to know a few key strategies to get the most for your money!

Buy a year (or season) in advance. At the end of every season, retail stores deeply discount the previous season’s merchandise. Go ahead and take advantage of those great deals and set the clothes aside for the next year. Just don’t forget about the clothes you buy!

Wait until stores offer an additional percentage off of sale prices. Stores wishing to clear out room for new merchandise will frequently offer an additional percentage off of an already marked-down price. Again, it is normally at the end of the season. Online stores also frequently offer additional percentages off of sale prices. There’s few things more rewarding than getting a pair of Gap Kids jeans for $4!

Spread the word. I don’t know about you, but it is difficult for me to go shopping with my little ones. Ask friends to call if they find a great deal and you will do the same.

Use online coupon codes. You can find some spectacular deals online… you just have to know how to work the system. Start by going through sites like Ebates or ShopatHome for a rebate on a percentage of your purchases.

Then remember to search to see if the store you’re shopping at has a coupon Children’s Clothing: Getting the most bang for your buck code. RetailMeNot.com has the most comprehensive coupon code directory.

Organize a clothing exchange. Recruit friends, neighbors, and individuals from your church or school to participate in a clothing exchange for clothes your children have outgrown. Have everyone bring clothes on a certain date then ask a few volunteers to help sort the clothes.

After it is all organized, let people come and “shop.” If you have clothes left over, donate them or let people in the community pick up some clothes for free. Besides being a great way to clear out old and bring in new, it benefits others!

Jenae is a wife, mother of two boys’ ages 2 ½ and 9 months, and former first-grade teacher. She loves spending time with her family and sharing fun and educational activities for young children on her website I Can Teach My Child.