Need new clothes? Try the thrift stores
If you're trying to stretch your budget and you haven't tried thrift stores, you might want to add them to your list. Regular "thrifters" say in addition to great values on clothing, they like the fact that with few exceptions, thrift stores are nonprofit businesses that support local charities.
As with consignment shopping, smart shoppers like Renee Parkins say hit the thrift stores first, then, go to the mall. Parkins stops by Goodwill when ever she's visiting Seattle from Cle Elum to look for clothing for her young,school age girls.
"These pants are $3 - $2.99," Parkins said, holding up a pair of jeans."And they're in very good shape."
Keep in mind: thrift shopping, like consignment shopping, is extremely random. Most clothes come secondhand from from other families who no longer need them so at best, they've been gently or rarely worn. You may have to make multiple visits, you'll have to sort through a number of items, and you may not always find what you're looking for in the size you want.
But as with my visit to a local consignment store, I managed to find a number of great values on brand name clothes that kids will undoubtedly be wearing to school this fall:
• A knitted, long-sleeve girls hoodie from Aeropastle: $5.99.
• Abercrombie girls cord pants for $3.
• A brand new pair of girls pants with embellished pockets, by Children's Place for $5.99.
• A long sleeved, stripped boys Ralph Lauren Polo shirt for $4.99.
• A Lee brand plain white polo shirt, part of many local school uniforms for $1.50.
So if you have the time and you're looking to save money, plan ahead to add both thrift and consignment shops to your list of school clothes shopping destinations.
Be sure to ask about return policies. Most sales are final. And since many thrift shops take higher volumes and varieties of clothing, be sure to inspect all items carefully before you buy.
For more information:
Popular local thrift stores
As with consignment shopping, smart shoppers like Renee Parkins say hit the thrift stores first, then, go to the mall. Parkins stops by Goodwill when ever she's visiting Seattle from Cle Elum to look for clothing for her young,school age girls.
"These pants are $3 - $2.99," Parkins said, holding up a pair of jeans."And they're in very good shape."
Keep in mind: thrift shopping, like consignment shopping, is extremely random. Most clothes come secondhand from from other families who no longer need them so at best, they've been gently or rarely worn. You may have to make multiple visits, you'll have to sort through a number of items, and you may not always find what you're looking for in the size you want.
But as with my visit to a local consignment store, I managed to find a number of great values on brand name clothes that kids will undoubtedly be wearing to school this fall:
• A knitted, long-sleeve girls hoodie from Aeropastle: $5.99.
• Abercrombie girls cord pants for $3.
• A brand new pair of girls pants with embellished pockets, by Children's Place for $5.99.
• A long sleeved, stripped boys Ralph Lauren Polo shirt for $4.99.
• A Lee brand plain white polo shirt, part of many local school uniforms for $1.50.
So if you have the time and you're looking to save money, plan ahead to add both thrift and consignment shops to your list of school clothes shopping destinations.
Be sure to ask about return policies. Most sales are final. And since many thrift shops take higher volumes and varieties of clothing, be sure to inspect all items carefully before you buy.
For more information:
Popular local thrift stores