Staying in Style the Cheap and Easy Way
Buying clothes for growing kids should not lead to the need to declare bankruptcy.
It’s no secret that with the changing seasons of winter into spring then before you can blink its summer, comes the inevitable shopping trips to buy kids in most cases' entirely brand new wardrobes. Growing and healthy children is what every parent strives to achieve. However, with the relief that everything is turning out just as it should comes the inevitable burden of keeping kids in clothes that not only are appropriate for the seasons, but also allow them to exceed confidence to take on the day.
As it is with everything else nothing really comes for free. Without strategic in terms of where to buy clothes for kids and when, the end result could be receipts that add up to staggering totals. Different pieces may seem cute and cheap at first glance, but as things add up, the result could end up being financial disasters.
It would be unrealistic to take the path of not buying kids any new clothes at all and strictly sticking to hand me downs that go back a few years. Giving children comfortable lives, which allow them to fit in with their peers should not be confused with spoiling them. Making this assumption is especially ridiculous since these shopping excursions only happen at the most a few times a year.
Learning how to make purchases responsibly is just as important as making it possible for kids to have outfits they actually want to wear. Not only will the following tips of the trade result in happy kids, but your pocket book will thank you as well.
First stop…off – price retailers
There’s nothing better than finding well-known brands for less. In short, you really get a lot of bang for your buck. Popular retailers such as Ross, Marshalls and TJ Max are some of the go to destinations to find kid’s stuff they’ll actually like. At the same time, the feeling of being financially robbed once the cards are swiped, and you’re out the door will be close to non-existent.
There is, however, a downside to sticking to these bargain retailers which is difficult to ignore since it confronts shoppers head on as soon as they step through the sliding automatic doors. The very reason products are being sold in large quantities is because they’re the result of surplus from bigger named department stores such as Saks, Nordstrom and Macy’s. In layman’s terms pricier department stores order more than they could actually sell. Therefore, the solution to get rid of this excess product is to turn them over to retailers who could sell these products at reduced prices.
Which could result in last year’s style sensation being this year’s new outfit. For little one's, it doesn’t really matter, but when dealing with teenagers it could be a trickier subject to breach.
What if going through racks and trying on outfit after outfit just isn’t your cup of tea?
One of the biggest deterrents for mother’s especially those with two or three small children is the chaos that can ensue during a simple shopping trip. An outing that’s supposed to be relaxing and fun starts to have as much appeal as a triathlon. Are pricier online retailers their only option? You’ll be relieved to know that's not the case.
The wonderful thing about the Internet is that shops all over the country and sometimes the world are right at the shopper’s finger tips. One particular online retailer is practically a gold mine of deals. Zulily started to gain popularity a few years ago and since then their customer base has been steadily rising. The only downside to this retailer who sells brand names for much less than the department stores, once you find something it’s best to purchase it right away and not wait around to think about it.
In short, the stuff is great, but at such small quantities. So it’s not really the best place to browse and window shop. Shoppers are highly recommended to browse through the site with the intention of making a purchase. Then of course there're always Ebay and Amazon. However, since those retailer’s products are hardly regulated it’s more on less a gamble that you’ll actually get what you pay for. Sometimes nice products on the screen with a price tag to match aren't exactly what’s about to get delivered at your door.
It's all about the kids, right?
Just as important to catching a good deal is learning how not to jump the gun by planning entire shopping trips around retailers that will allow shoppers to get a lot more for much less. Let’s not forget that these clothing pieces are necessarily what in anymore. So, take the kids along for the ride and let them have a say in what they’ll wear on a day to day basis.
Most of these retailers will allow little to no refunds, so making sure the kids like the clothes is just as important as finding them. Wasn’t the point of this bargain shopping to get rid of problems, and not create new ones?
What’s worse than receipts with totals that’ll make you want to cry? The migraine which will be the result of a crying child who won’t wear the clothing you’ve spent your hard-earned money on for the simple fact that it just isn’t “cool” anymore.
