I don’t know about you, but the first place that I head when I go into a store at the mall or any department store is the clearance section! I am always on the hunt for bargains, and yes, even when it comes to clothing your family, you can do it inexpensively! I want to share with you some of my favorite bargain-hunting secrets when it comes to clothing both you and your family!
With the school year quickly approaching, I thought that it would be good for me to share with you some of my favorite stores and tips for finding bargains at each of them!
~the Children’s Place-this is my favorite clothing store for Drew as I can always find a bargain here. Did you know that you can use a coupon on top of the already reduced prices? For example, I recently found a pair of shorts for Drew that were on clearance for 5.99. On top of that, they were reduced an additional 30% then, I could also use my 15% off coupon! I also LOVE the Children’s Place Outlet as many times they have boys and girls items for $1.99 and you can use a coupon on top of the discount! I am also part of the Perks Place Rewards program (a point system in which you get a point for every dollar that you spend) so for every $75 I spend, I get back a $10 coupon to use at the store on anything!
~Old Navy-this is a great store to shop for every member of your household, even your furry friends! I love when they have the additional 50% sales! I have gotten so many cute things there for very little. One of my favorite finds was for my hubby-last year I found the ringer t-shirts that he loves to wear around the house on clearance for $1.99! I have also gotten many cute shirts for as little as 2.99! You do have to look, but it is worth it, to score a sweet deal!
~JcPenney- did you know that if you sign up on the JcPenney website that several times a year they will send you money saving coupons? These are awesome coupons too; many times it will be for $10 off any purchase or $10 off $25! Of course you know, I especially love the $10 off any purchase! My most recent find with my $10 coupon was a super cute dress. It was on clearance for $10 and with my coupon I got it for FREE!!!! I just love a FREE shopping trip don’t you? My friend Ann recently emailed me to tell me that she scored a $225 Jones New York pant suit on clearance for $11.98. Then, she used her $10 coupon to get it for $1.98!! Wow!! When JcPenney has their green tag clearance, ($2.97, $4.97 deals) you can use a survey coupon from your receipt on top of the already reduced prices! For example, I have found dress shirts for my hubby on clearance for $2.97, take an additional 30% off that, then I could also use my survey 15% coupon! Pretty much FREE!!
~Kohl’s- This is by far my absolute favorite department store to shop at! In fact, my hubby tells me that I have an obsession with the place! 😉 What I love is their 90% off clearance racks! I have scored some major cute things for my whole family! Also, if you have a Kohl’s charge, they will send you coupons many times throughout the year that you can combine with clearance prices. I do recommend paying the balance off right when you use it! Also, did you know that you can sign up for email alerts to Kohl’s and they will send you a $5 coupon to use on anything in the store! You can sign up right on the Kohl’s website or ask the cashier the next time you are at Kohl’s. I have gotten many things for the entire family at Kohl’s for very little!
~Consignment stores- While I am just like any other girl out there, and love to get something new from time to time, but did you know that you can score some really sweet deals at Consignment stores? I have gotten many things at Consignment stores that still have the tags attached! You can often find the name brand clothing items and accessories for a fraction of the price. There are several consignment stores that are franchises and can be found in many parts of the United States. Once Upon a Child is a wonderful place for the kids in your life! You can even take your child’s gently used clothing and trade it in for cash or other clothes! I love this idea! Plato’s Closet is for Juniors/Teens but also has the same idea as Once Upon a Child. You may also want to check locally to see if there are consignment stores in your area that do the same thing. My friend Teresa told me of a new place here in our area that takes Women’s clothing and accessories and they pay you CASH on the spot for your items. Well, today I took a few items and they paid me $34 in CASH! I splurged and took Drew to McDonalds on the way home for a happy meal! 😉
~Yard Sales- I love the bargains that you can find at local yard sales! Once again, you can score items with tags still attached or brand name items for very little. I have scored some really cute items for my entire family at yard sales and I did not pay much for them at all! Just the other day I found a Burberry purse at a yard sale for $1!!! Now, I am sure that it is probably a knock-off, but it is super cute!! I do have a weakness for cute handbags, and my hubby will usually buy me a Coach handbag at Christmas-time, so that is my big splurge!! 😉 Of course, he gets a great deal on them!
Now that I have shared with you some of my favorite stores for bargains, let me give you a few quick tips that I have learned on my own and from other friends who love to bargain-hunt.
Buy Ahead! If you know what size you child will be wearing next season and you find a super duper good deal, go ahead and buy ahead! I can’t tell you how many good deals that I have gotten for the next season just by doing this!
Wait to buy until the item(s) go on sale or clearance. I almost NEVER pay full price for an item. I always try to wait for a good sale! You can save a lot of money this way!
Always scan your items! Many times I have been torn between whether or not to buy an item only to scan it, and find that it is even cheaper than I thought! 😉
Check to see if your favorite store has a rewards (points) system that will actually pay you back to shop there. (Like the Children’s Place Place-Perks that I mentioned)
Just remember looking good does not need to be a major cost of your family’s budget. You can look good and still be a Sweet saver at the same time! What about you? Do you have some tips that you can pass along to me for Clothing a Family on a Budget? I would love to hear from you!
