Pick your shoes first and make um good: If everyone in the house needs a pair of holiday dress up shoes, get that shopping out of the way first. Go with a basic shoe type and color – for example black and shiny Mary Janes for your little girl vs. pink or red which won’t go with varied outfits.

Have a holiday clothes swap: Before the holiday season kicks off, gather friends, family, and everyone’s holiday clothes from the last few years. Have cookies, hot chocolate, and a major clothing swap. This is a particularity good way to outfit kids.

Accessorize instead of buying new: If you’ve got basic and nice pieces in your wardrobe, say a black or red dress, you can accessorize with a holiday pin or necklace vs. buying a whole new holiday outfit. This goes for kids too. Adding candy cane tights and a nice hair bow to a basic dress can outfit your daughter in style but on the cheap. For super little kids, even just adding a cute toy will work if all you want is a festive picture  (like the picture above) – no special clothing needed.

Do you have any other ideas? Share away in the comments.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I am very blessed.  My best friend from high school has a daughter that ten months older than my daughter.  What’s so great is that she passes down all her daughter’s clothes to me for my little girl.  Sometimes I end up with way more than I can use though.  

She just gave me two more big bags of clothes and now that my daughter has a big closet, I decided to hang up everything she has.  I knew she had a lot of pants, but I didn’t realize she had this many. 

Guess how many pants she has.  I’ll let you know on Friday. 

image by me

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I got there just in time.  There were three ladies working on marking down the children’s clothing.  How does ninety-eight cents sound for shirts and shorts?  Here’s what I got:

• girls’ strawberry shirt .98
• boys’ soccer t-shirt .98
• 2 pairs boys’ camouflage shorts .98 (I got one pair for this year and one for next year.)
• boys’ striped shirt .98

They also had their 4th of July clothing for half price.  I found a solid navy skort for Alligator for $2.  Gotta love a deal! 

Alligator got her Barbie clothes and as we were getting ready to leave, we saw a lady from church.  She always gives the kids in the church $5 for their birthdays, so she gave the kids each $5 (Cuddlebug’s birthday is this month too).  They were excited.

We traveled back to the toy section and I thought Alligator would get another Barbie outfit or one of their $5 Barbies.  Instead, she chose this Princess jewelry set.  We got it home and I opened it for her.  As I was taking it out of the package, the bracelet fell to pieces all over the floor.  To top that off, the earrings wouldn’t even stay on her ears.  I tried them on mine too to see if her earlobes were just thin and they wouldn’t stay on mine either.  I was so disappointed with this set!  Last night I strung the bracelet back together and this piece of junk is going back to Target.  Thankfully, she’s five and is able to understand that she’ll have to wait to get something else.  I’m glad I still have my receipt.  Oh well.   

I’m pleased with our clothing deals.  Have you found any deals lately?

image by Karen 

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Kelly and I believe these projected amounts can be seriously reduced.  For instance, their calculator estimates that clothing will cost $1,129 per year.  I can assure there is no way that I spend nearly that much per year, not even on both of my kids combined.

We hope that you will check back often at Thrifty Mommy for ideas on how to save time and money.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Some of you may remember the great savings I got at Sears last weekend.  I have received another email about their clearance sale.  This time the email says that they have up to 90% off, so I’m wondering if they’ve marked down the stuff even more.  It’s worth a shot.  If you’re looking for a thrifty way to buy clothes for next winter, then I’d suggest stopping by Sears.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

• 2 sweaters
• 2 hooded sweatshirts
• 2 hooded jackets
• 1 long-sleeved shirt
• 1 pair of mittens
• 1 hat and mittens set

I think my little boy has most of his fall and winter clothes now.  My daughter could use some things.  I plan to go to some yard sales this summer and find those.  I hope you’ll have time to stop by Sears this weekend.

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The clothes that I have stored come from many places – yard sales, consignment stores, clearance racks, and many of my girl clothes were given to me by my wonderful, long-time friend Karen. (Thanks, Karen.  ) 

Have you noticed that these clothes all have something in common?  Most are used and all were INEXPENSIVE!!!!  I actually had the word “cheap” put in there, but I know some of you may not like that word.  I LOVE that word!!!!

While you’re sorting through last year’s clothes, trying stuff on, and getting rid of pants that are too short, just remember there are places to find low cost children’s clothing. 

I would suggest trying children’s consignment stores for winter clothing deals.  Most consignment stores that I have been in are pretty picky about what they accept.  The majority of their stuff looks new and you can usually get it for about 25% of what it costs new. 

Another great place to try is thrift stores.  Try your Good Will and Salvation Army thrift stores.  A few months ago I was shopping at Good Will and I got my son some new winter clothes, with tags, for $1.00 each!!!  What a deal!!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy