Shopping Sales
I really like to buy things on sale, or better yet, clearance. Honestly, I find it REALLY hard to buy anything at regular price – especially clothing.
Late September is one of my favorite months to shop for summer clothes because everything is dirt cheap. I bought a pair of capris for $3 at Target this week. I also bought five pairs of shorts, two shirts, and a pair of swim trunks for $11 (for everything)! So, if you are out shopping this weekend at Target, you may want to check out the clothing clearance. I may hit up another Target or two today. Why pay full price – especially for kids clothes!
Last year I bought most of Elias’s summer clothes on clearance 75-90% off. This summer he had more great clothes than he could wear. I hope to do the same stock-piling this year. I have been buying 24 months and 2T. It is crazy how much a child’s growth slows in the second year, isn’t it?
Do you buy clothes for your kids a year out, or am I strange?
Do you know of any stores that have great clearance right now? Help a girl out!
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I just went to Kohl's and Old Navy yesterday and paid no more than $2.50 for any item that I bought for my daughter (who is 16 months old). She got about eight complete outfits for no more than $30 total! Kohl's was having their usual blow out prices but Old Navy's clearance is 50% off in addition to their mark downs!
I try my best to buy clothes for my son for the next year. I always looking at the clearance racks at Target and Kohl's. I think I might need to check out Old Navy & JcPenny though too.
When I am at Target though I wait until the clothes are at least 50% off. Which sometimes doesn't work in my favor but oh well.
Just wrote a blog post of my own on the great deals I got this http://countingmyblessings4.blogspot.com/2009/09/frugal-friday.htmlweek.
I have always shopped a year out for my son and he is now seven. Old Navy has always been a great find (long sleeve t's for less than $2 (even cheaper when he was younger), shorts for $.97). I have even had good luck at the department stores i.e Macy's and Lord and Taylor. Plus, at those stores I have been able to "splurge" and get some brand name items like Polo brand shorts for $4. Around January/February I start looking for next years winter jacket.
I also check out used stores for kids clothes. I like Kid to Kid and can find items that have never been worn there. Since my son is less than a year old, many of the baby clothes have barely been worn.
Wow! I need to go shopping with you. I don't pay full price for anything – ever. But I don't get my clothes at those prices!
I would buy a year ahead for my older two children. It worked out most of the time. When my son hit a growth spurt a couple of years in there I quit. (He's a 6'4" string bean now.) I did give those dirt cheap clothes that didn't fit to others that needed help. So it was a blessing any way you look at it.
I have always bought my kid's clothes way out in advance. My oldest is 5 and she already has clothes in sizes 8-10. My youngest is 1 and he's got some size 4s lined up. My poor middle child (almost 3) just gets the hand-me-downs from her sister…;) But to buy clothes out that far, they have to be super cute and super cheap. And so far, the sizing has always worked…so far;) We have a nearby Gap Outlet and I can always find good deals there. I also do Old Navy and Target.
I always LOVE a good deal! I rarely buy anything at full price, especially if it's for me!!
I buy most of my kids clothes at Children's Place and Baby Gap. The past few weeks I have been stockpiling for next summer… shorts, short sleeve shirts and swimsuits! You are not alone.
Try Children's Place… I have found some really good stuff for really cheap!
Mostly I hit it up Ross and often Costco for clothes both for myself and my daughter. Not sale prices, but often very good deals on quality clothing!
Wow those deals are better than great!! I love a sale too, I also have more love for my items purchased on sale; there is just something about knowing it was a bargain!
I haven't found deals quite that cheap but I do find buying on clearance, even at major department stores is the way to go.
I don't buy clothes ahead for my son – I know, I know!! He has been given so many gifts that I didn't need to buy him much. My hubby's philosophy is that he would rather buy clothes when he needs them than waste money on clothes he wont wear.
We buy tons ahead, for birthdays and Christmas presents as well as just because we need them. We have a Carter's outlet about 45 minutes away from us and when I pay attention to their coupons we get SUCH great deals stocking ahead (tshirts for $1, whole outfits for $3, etc). The Children's Place also has great clearance and I buy a ton from them online that ships for pretty cheap too!
Most of Libbie's clothes come from thrift stores, consignment sales, and hand-me-downs. I did buy a few things at Belk's end-of-season sales last year–Christmas dresses, cord pants, that are really NICE and were supercheap. I am glad she is actually wearing 12 months at 12 months so hopefully she'll fit in everything!
I have 2 girls – ages 4 and 1 1/2. I ALWAYS buy there clothes a year in advance. I also have clothes for my daughter that she'll probably fit in when she's 6 – I've had them for a least a year. It's hard to resist when they are so cheap. I try to hit all the clearances – Target, Children's Place, Carter's, TJMaxx. I was lucky enough to have 30% off at Kohls when their summer stuff had a 2d clearance markdown – I got my 4 y.o. a ton of stuff for next summer. (My 1 1/2 y.o. gets hand-me-downs…fortunately they were born in September and December, so the seasons are close.) Yeah for bargain shopping! (Although now that I'm a blog-reading addict, and discovered Amanda Soule and Etsy I WISH I could sew!)
I'm with you on shopping sales and clearance in advance. I don't have as good of luck as you seem to have at Target though. My greatest deals have been at Children's Place, Macy's, Kohl's and Old Navy. My son is just moving into his 3T clothes and I'm already stocked on 4T clothes and starting to buy 5T when it's a great deal. You just have to keep out there and looking consistently. Sometimes I hit the stores at a time when their stock is very slim and other times they have just the sizes I need with additional savings off clearance prices. I never buy anything full price, that's just crazy! Just recently I did well at Old Navy for myself – 50% off clearance. But it's hit or miss at all the places, so I don't feel bad that I have to got out shopping regularly to make sure I don't miss out when the really great deals hit. Also, Baby Gap can have good clearance too…I got a pair of shoes for my son for $6 one time.
I used to buy my son's clothes well in advance, but he started growing so fast, I ended having to buy more clothes halfway through the season. I thought 2T would fit him in spring and summer this past year. He's almost grown out of 3T right now. I have 4T stocked for the winter, but I don't think they'll last all winter long. No wonder strangers think my 2 year-old is 4! He's so tall!
I definitely buy clothes a year ahead…I had clothes stock-piled before I was ever pregnant:) And I have clothes for my 13 month old in sizes up to 4T…can't pass up a super cute outfit at a great price.
I wait until Target's stuff is 50% off unless it's something that she'll wear all the time (like black leggings) that are normally $3.77 anyway:)
I just went to Old Navy where everything was 50% clearance…I found mostly stuff for myself:)
Carter's is a great place to shop when they have sales and clearance racks galore.
Well, you know I do!!! I shop Kohl's too and try to get the clearance when they have Kohl's cash AND the 30% off codes. It's an awesome deal!!!
I also scour the clearance racks at Old Navy, Target and Children's Place, Carter, Osh Kosh…and I think that might be it. I have never had any luck whatsoever with thrift stores. Plus, I do believe in spending a little more on quality especially since they are handed down to the younger brothers. A pair of Gap jeans at the outlet is around $20 and lasts so many years – that's an investment worthwhile!
I always get the boys' clothes a season out and find that I save more money that way too. I can then use that to buy the new shoes they inevitably need mid-school year. It helps out a ton!
did you know too that most Carter's or Oshkosh outlets have a no limit return policy? If you buy something on clerance now and it doesn't fit next summer, you can return it for the same price (with your recpt.) Just a handy tip if you have outlet malls near by!
I love Target's clearance, and I always try to buy kids clothes ahead of time. My sister-in-law started me on that one! She used to stock-pile shoes for her kids, even 2 – 3 years out. (I usually limit it to one year ahead, since I have 3 kids already and #4 on the way… I'd have too many bins of clothes to sort through if I went beyond one year ahead!). I also like to look online at clearance at The Children's Place or Old Navy. Cute stuff! If I can find a deal for free shipping, even better yet!
I think I'm going to need to make a Target run soon, and I'd like to check out Kohl's too. (I love love love Carter's brand for kids' stuff!)
Thanks for the motivation! 🙂
I always shop the clearance racks first and rarely pay full price for clothing. I love getting a good bargain!