Author Topic: Clothing Budget....  (Read 6214 times)

lakemom

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Clothing Budget....
« on: January 06, 2015, 06:31:50 AM »
The thread got me to thinking about how much we spend on our children in this category so I wondered what others do with kids.  Our two left at home (of 6 total) are 8 and 13, long past the age when you could reliably buy ahead at the end of the season for next year (you'll know when you hit this point as it is different for each kid based on growth and taste in clothing).  Because of large gaps between kids hand me downs are out and the cousins are all much older or the opposite sex as well so no source there either.  Our options for thrift stores are limited (small town Midwest) and I find better deals with sales at regular department stores with the caveat that 8yo is EXTREMELY picky about the fit of pants and is difficult to fit to boot.  So, what are other's strategies for keeping costs low(er) when you kids are beyond the preschool years?  Our spending averages $600 per person (2014) and about half of that is shoes and winter apparel.

BPA

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2015, 07:31:44 AM »
I don't really have a budget for my 16 year old son's clothing, but he's growing so fast right now (about four inches in less than a year), that my current strategy is not to buy him much, but to buy him the fashionable clothes he likes (on sale...Black Friday online for winter and I'll buy summer clothes for him during the spring) just fewer of them.  It means I do laundry two to three times a week, but that's okay.  I have a friend at work whose son went through a similar growth spurt about a year before my son, so she passes on her son's outgrown jeans to us.  So, I buy him what he needs, but I don't buy a lot. 

I was lucky that when my kids were little they loved the second hand shop Once Upon a Child which is a short bus ride away. 


GardenFun

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2015, 08:10:20 AM »
The thread got me to thinking about how much we spend on our children in this category so I wondered what others do with kids.  Our two left at home (of 6 total) are 8 and 13, long past the age when you could reliably buy ahead at the end of the season for next year (you'll know when you hit this point as it is different for each kid based on growth and taste in clothing).  Because of large gaps between kids hand me downs are out and the cousins are all much older or the opposite sex as well so no source there either.  Our options for thrift stores are limited (small town Midwest) and I find better deals with sales at regular department stores with the caveat that 8yo is EXTREMELY picky about the fit of pants and is difficult to fit to boot.  So, what are other's strategies for keeping costs low(er) when you kids are beyond the preschool years?  Our spending averages $600 per person (2014) and about half of that is shoes and winter apparel.

Any potential to make friends with someone who has kids a size or two bigger that tends to buy lots of newer clothes?  Think of neighbors, family members, school/church people, etc.  When the kid grows out of the clothes, offer them something like $10-20 per garbage bag of clothes.  Also, I have a few friends who purchase whole boxes of clothes on craigslist/ebay and being very happy with that method. 

Get the winter apparel on clearance at the end of the previous season.  If you are fearful of a growth spurt, buy the item two sizes bigger.  If the deal is good enough, it is worth the financial risk. 

LiveLean

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2015, 08:52:55 AM »
We're fortunate to live in a warm-weather climate (Florida) and have boys (12 and 9), who would wear the same thing every day if we didn't insist they change clothes.

Our kid clothing budget is minimal. Friends with older kids pass a lot of stuff down and we try to do the same. The clothing karma seems to work.

ABC123

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2015, 02:10:26 PM »
My boys are 4 and 6, and I am very blessed with lots of hand me downs, so I am currently spending very very little on clothes.  But once they get older and the hand me downs are not pouring in, I'm sure I will be facing this.  I like the idea of buying fewer clothes.  I think boys especially could get away with this -- 3 or 4 pairs of pants, and 6 or 7 shirts per season would probably work for most in that age range as long as they aren't super fashion conscious.  Another idea is putting that on their birthday/Christmas wish list.  Are there grandparents or other people who give gifts to your kids that would buy clothes?  Or, shop the clearance racks for bigger sizes, but leave the tags on.  I know Kohls will accept returns pretty much forever if you have the receipt.  Not sure about other stores.  If your kids end up not needing some things, take them back.  Or sell it on Ebay/Craigslist.

greenmimama

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2015, 04:38:00 PM »
My oldest is only 8, but I still buy ahead, he is only picky about the way it feels, but if he won't wear it he has 2 younger brothers that probably will. So I guess I sort of get a free pass with that.

I try not to over buy even if it is only $1.99 on clearance, but I try to get classics, his favorite jeans in a dark wash, some plain T-shirts and a few with the characters that he likes.

I actually had some good luck with a few garage sales last summer, every once in a while you hit a good one.

justajane

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2015, 07:17:27 AM »
My oldest is only 8, but I still buy ahead, he is only picky about the way it feels, but if he won't wear it he has 2 younger brothers that probably will. So I guess I sort of get a free pass with that.

I try not to over buy even if it is only $1.99 on clearance, but I try to get classics, his favorite jeans in a dark wash, some plain T-shirts and a few with the characters that he likes.

I actually had some good luck with a few garage sales last summer, every once in a while you hit a good one.

With three boys, I totally relate to your reasoning. If I find pants for $5 or  less I stock up no matter what. I figure if the oldest (6) doesn't wear it, one of the others will! That's one good thing about have all one gender, although I have to admit as they get older, I don't think the clothes are even going to make it to the baby boy. I have a box of at least 10 pairs of pants that need to patches for the knees.

Do people pre-buy shoes? I've had more trouble with this one and have noticed that some of my clearance shoes have gone to waste or been donated nearly new.

Since my oldest is only six, I don't have that much advice for the OP, except that I do see lots of things on clearance for older boys as well. Do you have a Target nearby? With clearance and the Red Card, I do fairly well there on pants and shirts. I do understand, though, that some boys get pickier as they get older. I'm hoping at least one or two of mine will still wear what I buy them on clearance. 

GardenFun

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2015, 03:45:39 PM »
I have pre-bought shoes, but only tennis shoes and it was one full size up from the pair DS was getting for immediate use.  They were Stride Rite for $15 so it was worth the purchase risk. 

NumberJohnny5

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2015, 05:48:03 PM »
Our 8yr old gets $60/yr, or $5/mo. He has a surplus of ~$48, so it seems to be a decent amount for now. Of course, he started out with a lot of clothes, and the school gave out uniform shirt vouchers last year, so he hasn't had to buy a whole lot yet.

Since he's spending so little, I'm thinking of letting him keep some of the surplus after school has started. Say, anything over half the yearly budget. Assuming he had $50 at the beginning of school, I'd make sure he kept $30 in there, and the other $20 could be treated as regular allowance (40% spend, 30% save, 20% invest, 10% donate). That way he has an actual incentive to not spend every single penny, but still has a bit of a buffer in case something comes up (shirt gets destroyed; it's a special uniform shirt we can only buy from one supplier for ~$20), need shoes and can't find any at the op-shop, etc.

MayDay

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2015, 07:53:40 AM »
I have a 7 year old boy and almost 5 year old girl. 

For starters, I have the blessing/curse of 2 grandmothers who like to buy them clothes.  It's  mostly a blessing obviously, but the curse part is they sometimes buy really weird or ugly things, or they buy too much of something impractical (cute dresses) but not the things we really need (snow boots).  In total though, they cover a decent chunk of the kids' wardrobe, either directly or by returning the weird stuf and getting what we actually need.  And in fact I am sure we puzzle people as they note my kids wearing expensive fancy clothes (my daughter has tons of Hanna Andersson clothes, for example, all gifts) and compare that to what I'm wearing.  They probably think I just let myself go to pot :)

I used to try to by stuff ahead on clearance, but I found it didn't save money.  I couldn't accurately predict sizes (not strict sizes so much as fit- are they going to be skinny or chubby in a year? ) or preference.  DD had years she wears only dresses and years she refuses to put one on.  Or I would buy pants ahead, only to have a growth spurt over the summer and they would skip a pants size. 

I make sure I can hand down the expensive stuff (coats, boots, and snow pants are all gender neutral and used by both kids) and DD wears plenty of "boy" clothes.  If fact I prefer them often, as "girl" clothing gets increasingly tight, short, and innapropriate as they get older. 

They stain, rip, or otherwise wear out quite a bit of stuff, so I don't end up with tons leftover to pass on.  I never can pass down shoes as I buy one pair in each size, plus one extra in case the first is wet (the extra is sandals in the summer, and the cheapest tennis shoes I can find in the winter).  Their main pair is destroyed by the time it is outgrown (in fact I am currently doing a warranty claim with Keens- DS got new Keen tennies in August and has destroyed them due to the bad strap design). 

The most expensive stuff is definitely the one-off stuff like snow gear, raincoats, and swim suits.  I can always get basic shirts and pants for cheap, even buying new at Target. It's hard to estimate because fine year they might need all new outdoor gear, but the next they might be able to re-wear it all.  And of course that is the stuff I never find used! 

justajane

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2015, 01:15:57 PM »
@Mayday, regarding swimsuits, I've had great luck finding those things on clearance mid-summer on, but you're right about jackets and rain gear. For those things, I try to buy at Costco. They have kids' coats for under $30 each season. Also, I've been pleasantly surprised by the $20 Sketchers tennis shoes they sell. My son wore his constantly and they lasted almost a year before he outgrew them. I'd say that's pretty good for a 6 year old boy!

I'll be sad when my boys outgrow Gymboree clothing. I shop the clearance racks there and do extremely well.

Regarding the OP's original question, I would say our family clothing budget is $50 a month, mostly spent on the kids. I know this will increase as the kids get older. Luckily we have generous grandparents as well (like Mayday), and thankfully they have decent taste. My only complaint is that without fail they buy something with white sleeves or lighter colors, so stains show.

iamsoners

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2015, 08:29:54 PM »
My kids are much younger so this is all pure speculation on my part but two thoughts:

-Could you shop more like a Mustachian adult--that is better quality pieces carefully bought at a discount but fewer of them? So perhaps a nice down coat bought on ebay that eliminates the need for a bunch of sweaters, etc. I would have rather had 1 really "cool" Patagonia fleece in high school than so many sweatshirts but alas, I wasn't self-aware enough to know that

-Next time you're in a town with a well organized thrift store (like a savers) hit the pants section hard. I am super picky about fit of pants and thus PREFER to shop at the thrift store since they have the biggest selection you'll find anywhere. Try on 20 pairs, buy whatever works, and eventually seek out more of the same brand of anything they end up loving.

MayDay

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2015, 07:51:06 AM »
Just a Jane, I listed swimsuits mostly because it's fresh on my mind.  You are right, though, that it's fairly easy to find them on clearance in July/August.  Last summer DD swam in an overchlorinated hotel pool and destroyed her brand new suit. I had to buy a new one (beach vacation).  This winter, we were on another vacation* and when we got there we realized her suit was completely see-through in the butt. Oops. Another new suit (although again thanks to grandparents we didn't actually pay for it).  If I buy ahead, I can't plan perfectly and stuff gets wasted. But then if I don't buy ahead, sometimes expensive stufff is destroyed off-season and I have to pay more.

*we sound so fancy, two beach vacations in one year. Both were 95% paid for by grandparents.

To answer the original question we probably average 20$ a month for both kids, but that's with lots of gifts and my mom buying almost all their shoes which is probably the most expensive overall. 

MayDay

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2015, 07:56:37 AM »
Someone mentioned just having a small wardrobe. I try to do this but there are pitfalls. So they still need more than the average adult.

1. They spill on themselves constantly. They can't re-wear. So you have to be doing a load of laundry often, and add in a day of air drying too. So you need at least 4 sets.

2. Add another set (at least) for when they per their pants or spill so bad they need new clothes mid day.

3. Add a spare set to keep at school in case of the above (required here)

4. I always keep a spare set in the car trunk in case of the above, or in case we want to splash in a creek or get caught in the rain, etc.

So you are up to 7 of everything.

At age 7, my oldest finally sometimes makes it through the day clean. YMMV.

justajane

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2015, 09:22:20 AM »
If I buy ahead, I can't plan perfectly and stuff gets wasted. But then if I don't buy ahead, sometimes expensive stuff is destroyed off-season and I have to pay more.

That's the rub, isn't it? I haven't discovered how to balance it all, and probably by the time I do my kids will have grown up or will be buying their own clothes. I'm lucky that I have all of the same gender, so I don't stress that much about overbuying, especially pants. And if something doesn't get used that I pre-bought, I don't stress to much, because I usually paid less than $5 for it.

I have maximums in place to force myself to not over-buy. I only buy pants ahead of time if they are $6 or under, t-shirts $5 or under, shoes $15 or under, nicer long sleeve shirts $7 or under. Even if something is awfully cute, I really try not to deviate from this. This helps get me in line.

chouchouu

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2015, 03:49:57 AM »
We live in Sydney so don't have huge fluctuations in weather. I recently bought ten pairs of shoes for my twins, a pair each going up five sizes. They were a brand and type they have already so when they went on sale I stocked up. I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to buy end of season sales when they're older, older kids have less fluctuation than younger kids. Either way, things like jeans can be bought and hemmed and then the hem released as they grow. There might be some difference in colour from washing but shouldn't be too noticeable. You can also skip sizes and buy clothes that are made to fit longer. American clothes tend to be very fitted but European brands can last longer because they aren't. I also buy multi season clothes. So a dress becomes suitable for winter with a shirt underneath and stockings. When we lived in Europe I would put an undershirt on in winter to keep them warn and with a warm jacket they would be winter ready.

La Bibliotecaria Feroz

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2015, 08:09:24 AM »
Frugal Girl has been blogging about a site called Schoola where you can buy top-notch used clothes and the money goes to a school of the donor's choice. It's not that cheap, but if your picky one has preferred brands, then it's worth a look!

FIRE Realtor

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2015, 09:03:45 PM »
You could try arranging a clothing swap in your town.  They are very popular in my neighborhood, I have a 4 yr. old and 4 mo. old and never buy them clothes due to the swaps, and grandparents!

Goldielocks

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Re: Clothing Budget....
« Reply #18 on: January 26, 2015, 02:01:17 AM »
What about planning an annual shopping trip outside of your smaller centre.

You could plan something for a large city with great thrift stores that you like, and then whatever you can't find that is suitable, you go to the outlet centre that carries their best fitting sizes and get the last few things.   You can plan around a big store sale or where the prices are the best.

I found that this meant I saved a bit each month for the clothing, had a budget, made a list, and although quite a bit was new, (especially compared to my current thrift shop choices) it was constrained spending.   We would go in January to the Outlet mall in Portland, Ore, and make a vacation of it (usually with my work -paid trip to a conference).

Good for coats and runners, jeans and t-shirts, a sweater, underwear, socks, etd..   We still had to buy a couple of things throughout the year. Online or using kids allowances for that worked well.

My DH had a lot of garage sale clothing growing up through teenage years, and we would definitely advise not to do that, unless you know the person at the sale or the kid was helping to pick it out.   He hated those clothes that never fit, never were slightly in style, and prevented getting anything else, because why would he need a THIRD pair of jeans...?

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!