As I’m shopping for new kids clothes I’m finding that it is both a fun yet painful experience.  Kids clothes are cute but not worth going in debt for!   In order to save money I have sat down and tried to think of several ways that you can still dress up your little prince/princess without breaking the bank.

Here are a few suggestions I came up with but please, let me know if you have anything to add to this list!

ThredUp: Kids Clothing Swap

This is an online website that helps parents swap kids clothes.  ThredUp has extensive list of available boxes that you can buy.  They have a review system similar to eBay that allows users to be able to find popular swappers.  Many of the boxes I looked at included a picture along with detailed description of what was included (brands, sizes, etc.).

ThredUp.com also allows a listing of toys that fit in a USPS box so this may be a good way to look for children books or small toys.

Currently, ThredUp.com has a promotion going where you can get 2 months free of PRO membership when you use coupon code “mysavings”.  While ThredUp is free to use, the PRO membership does cost extra.  The PRO membership feature allows you to view detailed pictures of the items as well as a few other personalized features that are still being developed.

When I signed up a few days ago they gave me a $5 credit to use on my first box purchased.  I used the coupon code and the link above and I got an extra $5.  I’m not sure how long this extra bonus will last so if you are considering ThredUp you may want to go and sign up now.

Children’s Consignment Sales

I have had my fair share of exploring children’s consignment sales recently…and let me tell you, I scored big!  I think that consignment shopping is great way to shop for gently used clothing for yourself or your kids.  If you love to search and hunt for a great bargain then this will be right up your alley.  I’ve noticed that children’s consignment sales come twice a year, once in Winter and once in Spring.  So check local bulletin boards and church signs for consignment sales in your area.  You can also check ConsignmentMommies.com for consignments that have been posted in your area.

My only warning with consignment sales is to check and double check each garment for stains or holes before you leave.  The policy is usually unstained, like new items but some moms don’t listen or perhaps don’t notice and a few stains appear throughout the racks.

This is also a great place to score used pack n plays, books, toys, high chairs, etc.

Zulily: Daily Deals for Moms, Babies, & Kids

Zulily is a daily deals site for mom and the kids.  It’s a free membership site where each day, you will be able to buy great products from brand you love at 50-90% off.  That’s right, 90% off!  I think this is a great place to buy fancy baby shower gifts at a fraction of the cost.

Once you are a member you can invite others and if they join you get $15 per person!

One of my favorite things about Zulily is that they have mom’s clothes too (even maternity clothes!).

Yard Sales

Try not to turn up your nose at yard sales, they often have great items for amazing prices.  Baby furniture, books, toys, and decor are also usually for sale for peanuts.  This is the ideal place for play clothes here.  You may be able to find t-shirts or shorts for a dime or a quarter that have a lot of life left in them.

Totsy

Totsy has been in the back of my mind for a while but I’ve recently checked it out for myself to see what all the excitement was about.  Totsy is a site that hosts flash sales – that is a sale that lasts a limited number of hours (usually 72 hours for Totsy) and where you can score an amazing 40-90% off retail on higher end goods that might otherwise be outside your price range.  This is great for companies who need to sell of their extra inventory, for Totsy who runs the company, and for the moms and dads who shop and score fantastic deals.

Totsy claims to be 100% and for every sale they make they plant a tree.  How nice is that?

Totsy has a great referral program, for every friend that you refer who makes a purchase you get $15.  For disclosure, my referral link is included above so if you sign up and make a purchase I will get $15 credit in my account.  Win-win!

Buy Quality Clothes

Buying sturdy clothes will only save money if you get a good deal on those long-lasting clothes.  Be ready to shop ahead for next year, check out my post The Best Time to Buy Everything for a few more details.  Shop the clearance racks and become familiar with your favorite store’s sale patterns.  If you have your eye on something that isn’t on sale watch and wait approximately 6 weeks from when you first spotted it and come back on a Thursday for the best chance of hitting the clearance rack first.  Weekend sales usually start Thursday afternoons.

If you buy clothes online be sure to never, ever, ever shop without a coupon code or without shopping through a cash back site like Ebates.  Many online retailers often have good sales and clearances with a wider selection than a local store.

Care For The Clothes You Have

When you take care of the clothes you have you give them a longer life and a larger value.  Go back to the old-fashioned idea of play clothes and dress clothes.  At our house we often wear jeans a couple of times before they get washed.  Another way to care for clothes is to treat stains right away so they don’t have time to set it.  If you have a long sleeve t-shirt that gets stained beyond repair just layer a short sleeve t-shirt over top.

Trade with Friends or Family

This is probably the most obvious way to save money – don’t spend any!  If you have friends or family that are willing to pass on to you their hand-me-downs, graciously accept!   Do the same for them if they have another child that could benefit from some other clothes you have.  This is also a great way to encourage a new mom and get rid of clothes you just have sitting in storage.  My sister-in-law gave me some of her maternity clothes (2 big bags!) and I am very grateful not to have to buy too much else.