Not Your Sister's Hand Me Downs

If you have several children, then you have probably told by them that they don't want to wear their older brother or sister's hand me downs. Most kids want something new to wear, and many of them want to pick out their clothes. This is expensive and not a viable option for most families. Consider shopping in used clothing stores with your children to find some great and affordable clothing.

To start, sort through your children's closest to find any clothes that they are no longer wearing. You can use these clothes to sell to the resale shop for extra money, or allow your children to swap the clothes for their own selections on their own. By doing so, your children will like they are getting new things that they were able to choose themselves. These funds can go a long way in a used clothing store. Make sure that you make this shopping experience fun for your children. Most used clothing that you will find are only slightly worn, so your children should have a great time choosing their own clothes at affordable prices.

For a truly deep discount on children's clothes, start your search in a local flea market or thrift store. Be sure to warn your children that they will need to sort through a lot of clothes and set a budget for them to go shopping. The used clothing that is often found in these locations has been donated to a local charity by families in the area.

For a mid priced range used clothing shopping experience, search resale shops in your area. Resale shops offer all price ranges for used clothing and are often more organized than a flea market or thrift store. Be sure to have your children try the clothes on since many of these stores do not allow for returns.

For newer used clothing, consider shopping in a consignment shop. Consignment shops are often full of newer clothing that is offered at up to 60% off the retail price.

If your children are internet users, set them up on an online auction site to bid on the clothes that they want within a pre-set budget. While there is a downside of not being able to try the clothes on, this is a fun way to shop for your children. Online consignment shops are also a great way to find newer clothes, similar to what you would find in a physical consignment store. Both of these online shopping styles will allow your kids to shop quickly, from the comfort of your own home and the flexibility to shop in multiple stores without ever leaving the house. This is sometimes easier for parents as well since they don't have to drive the children to and from used clothing stores.

If you have multiple children that don't want to wear each other's clothes, allowing them to trade their hand me downs for their own selections is a great strategy. Be sure to lay some ground rules and a budget before you let your children shop.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Not-Your-Sister-s-Hand-Me-Downs/57611
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