Thrifty vs. Cheap when it comes to kids' stuff (clothes, school supplies, etc..)

[Anonymous]

^^This! I was just thinking the same thing. The DH and I both grew up very poor and we now have a lower six figure HHI. Our families think we're rich but we both realize that there are tips from higher income earners we can stand to learn. We accept and give family hand me down clothes and get what else we need either on deep discount at a retail store or some thrift store/yard sale/consignment sales. Open to advice as well.

[Anonymous]

22:46 poster here. DH and I both grew up pretty wealthy, but our parents instilled good money values that we have adopted. Quality over quantity. Minimalist lifestyle with regards to clothes and items. Never flashy with money. Treat people well and give back.

Examples, I shop consignment, thrift and discount stores. I also rarely shop. Everyone in the family has much less clothing than your average American. but they last and we take good care of them. I use expensive detergent and spot treat and mend ripped clothing. I accept hand me downs and all gifted clothing. Then turn around and give away to other families directly to a church that has a clothes closet that gives the clothes to the poor for free. I always buy new shoes, underwear and bathing suits.

Same goes for household items. I love estate sales and my neighborhood listserv for great antiques and furniture. same for toys. I also belong to a few fb groups for specific items, like American girl dolls, where I can buy euc toys.

We negotiate fees for everything, and I mean everything. Cars, mattressess, doctor fees, handyman services, Craigslist items, yard services, Comcast, Verizon, etc. offer to pay cash. Reach out to a vendor on social media.

We spend money on food, we shop WF and cook most meals ourselves. We spend money on experiences, nice vacations, have museum memberships and use them. We often our home to friends and family who vacation here, which sometimes can be a pain but we have been fortuntate to stay at others when we vacation. you give, you get.

Just be smart with your money. A high price tag doesn't always mean good quality but a low price tag also doesn't mean a good deal.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever read The Millionaire Next Door? Many wealthy people are very hard to point out. They live in reasonable (but paid off) homes. They drive 2nd hand cars because that makes financial sense. They use coupons and shop second hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get this, we make 7 figure combine HHI and I not only shop at Goodwill, but also the Goodwill OUTLET! And the Salvatjon Army, which on Wednesdays has 25% off everything. I don't mind taking handing me downs clothes or furniture. I definitely play it forward by offering my hand me downs to others for free. How do you think some people stay well off!

There is nothing dirty about thrift stores, how is that different from antiques or vintage clothing? Some people on here sound like label whores (for lack of a better term), like people who walk around with price tags off their clothes. look at me, see how much I spent for my clothes! It's dumb.

This is pretty much us...just under a million dollar HHI. We max out retirements, have 175k in each of our kids' 529s (oldest kid is 6), and my kids wear name brand thrift-shop purchases Daily. I don't skimp on just them...I just try to buy on sale, use coupons when daily possible...like yogurt...one or two per shopping trip, and we save! My kids' clothes are then used by my sisters' kids and then donated to Goodwill or a church where they are shipped to El Salvador. I have a pretty confident feeling that my DD could careless she wore a previously used nice looking Nordestom dress in 2013 when it is 2025 and she starts college with everything paid for or it is 2045 and she doesn't have to support her parents.

I am being very honest here and not snarky at all - I feel like I could learn a lot about money from both of you. Our HHI is much much lower, but we try to buy on sale, use coupons when possible, and I also shop at consignment stores. We also donate back as well. It has taken me a long, long time to learn that if I blow all of our income on brand new items that we will always be perpetually spending and not saving- and never be well off. There have been many, many studies on the mindset and socio norms of those with incomes and net worth of seven figures or greater- and I am trying to learn a lot about money management from those because my own parents were and still are the label whores and spenders. So any advice you could share, I for one would be all ears!

I'm the second poster - the one beginning with "This is pretty much us..". These are little ways I save: a) I look at what is on sale at a grocery store that week and try to make it there. My kids eat a ton of fresh produce and it is very expensive. If grapes are on sale for $.99/lb somewhere, I will go there just for grapes IF it is on my way somewhere else. I wouldn't drive out of my way for grapes. b) I look for ways to save money by looking for coupon codes for things like buying contacts online, rental cars (for those, after I book a rate, I'm looking repeatedly over the internet to shave money off if the deal gets better); c) I never, every buy a new piece of clothing for my kids UNLESS it is for part of a sports uniform, sporting equipment, etc. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, etc. (MANY of those things are hand me downs - but I can't even see spending $10 on a pair of rainboots when I can them for $3 or less. I figure if a pair of kids' shoes new is $40 on average and you add tennis shoes, rain boots, snow boots, sandals, crocs x 2 times per year for size changes, that is $400/year. If I did that for 10 years, that is $4,000 on SHOES for goodness sakes. So instead I buy them for $1-$3/pair, and I buy them ALL the time! I buy the next sizes up and keep them in a box stored. I do the same for kids' hats, socks, clothing, etc. $4,000 in shoes saved over 10 years + $10,000 in clothes saved over 10 years (modest estimate for 2 kids I think) is $14,000 in my pocket that would have taken me $20,000 to earn (after taxes I'd have $14,000 or so). I have bought coupons off of Ebay for things I buy a lot - milk, yogurt, etc. I don't use coupons that often but do use them. I buy a lot of gifts for the upcoming birthday year (not my own kids but for the bday parties they attend) usually in Dec. when there are a ton of sales. I don't spend more than $10/gift but they are usually $20-$30 items. I NEVER buy a birthday gift for a bday party last minute - that alone would be annoying to me and another wasted $10 more than I want so spend. Again, let's say my kids go to 25 birthday parties a year - that's another $250 in savings at least. I buy most of my kids' presents for the holidays throughout the year at thrift shops. I count to make sure pieces are there - and look on amazon at reviews of a product before I buy it. I wrap and then put them away). My kids don't have electronic games (huge money and time zapper). I don't pay for games on the ipad. On the flip side: we travel and spend a great deal on that. We go out to eat when we want - but if I have a coupon, I'll use it. We have several rental properties - which bring in money but also cost money. I think the main idea is that you look at buying things last minute versus planning ahead. picking what is important to you IN THE FUTURE and what you can shave off now.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Can I ask where you buy the shoes? I can sometimes find shoes at consignment shops but I guess I'd have to REALLY shop around to get the sizes I need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ Can I ask where you buy the shoes? I can sometimes find shoes at consignment shops but I guess I'd have to REALLY shop around to get the sizes I need.

Unique on their 50% off sale days, sale days at Good Will, sale days at Value Village.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stuff that I have purchased at thrift shops;

1. A set of dorm furniture for my youngest son's bedroom (I refinished it);
2. an 12 piece place setting of Pflatzgraf winterberry dishes for Christmas;
3. an 8 piece place setting of Ralph Lauren stoneware for everyday;
4. work clothes for my husband (mostly Brooks Brothers);
5. work clothes for me (Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers; lots of other nice labels)
6. casual clothes for me;
7. spare rain jackets and spare winter coats for my sons.


There's a ton of stuff that I would like to have that I can't afford new. I don't care if it's used as long as it is in good shape. People who complain about saving used items "for the deserving poor" are crazy. Americans consume so much stuff that thrift stores stay fully stocked and sell tons of other stuff for resale in other countries. No one is deprived of anything.

This could not be more true. And if anyone doubts it, take a trip to Unique Thrift Shop over in Merrifield. The sales floor is massive and racks and shelves are overflowing. There is always a few employees brining additional items out to the sales floor and then you can peek in the back and seen a ton of employess sorting and pricing the massive room of items that have been donated.

[Anonymous]

07:29 here. Just wanted to say thank you to those who I was referring to and who responded. I very much appreciate it.
We are minimalists - and it helps that we love a modern aesthetic so it fits. There is a lot of pressure out there, even in my own neighborhood, to buy buy buy. And as I get older I am trying to learn that I need to stand firm and not succumb to this pressure. Life should be about quality and experiences. (Fixing something when it's broken, not wasting money on car payments, etc) And honestly that is what I want to instill in my children.

So thank you! I hope I can find more people like you here in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:07:29 here. Just wanted to say thank you to those who I was referring to and who responded. I very much appreciate it.
We are minimalists - and it helps that we love a modern aesthetic so it fits. There is a lot of pressure out there, even in my own neighborhood, to buy buy buy. And as I get older I am trying to learn that I need to stand firm and not succumb to this pressure. Life should be about quality and experiences. (Fixing something when it's broken, not wasting money on car payments, etc) And honestly that is what I want to instill in my children.

So thank you! I hope I can find more people like you here in DC.

I could careless what people think. I drove used old cars for years. We could afford anything we could ever want but we don't buy just because...

[Anonymous]

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/10/pf/wealthy-spending/index.html?iid=SF_PF_LN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get this, we make 7 figure combine HHI and I not only shop at Goodwill, but also the Goodwill OUTLET! And the Salvatjon Army, which on Wednesdays has 25% off everything. I don't mind taking handing me downs clothes or furniture. I definitely play it forward by offering my hand me downs to others for free. How do you think some people stay well off!

There is nothing dirty about thrift stores, how is that different from antiques or vintage clothing? Some people on here sound like label whores (for lack of a better term), like people who walk around with price tags off their clothes. look at me, see how much I spent for my clothes! It's dumb.

This is pretty much us...just under a million dollar HHI. We max out retirements, have 175k in each of our kids' 529s (oldest kid is 6), and my kids wear name brand thrift-shop purchases Daily. I don't skimp on just them...I just try to buy on sale, use coupons when daily possible...like yogurt...one or two per shopping trip, and we save! My kids' clothes are then used by my sisters' kids and then donated to Goodwill or a church where they are shipped to El Salvador. I have a pretty confident feeling that my DD could careless she wore a previously used nice looking Nordestom dress in 2013 when it is 2025 and she starts college with everything paid for or it is 2045 and she doesn't have to support her parents.

I am being very honest here and not snarky at all - I feel like I could learn a lot about money from both of you. Our HHI is much much lower, but we try to buy on sale, use coupons when possible, and I also shop at consignment stores. We also donate back as well. It has taken me a long, long time to learn that if I blow all of our income on brand new items that we will always be perpetually spending and not saving- and never be well off. There have been many, many studies on the mindset and socio norms of those with incomes and net worth of seven figures or greater- and I am trying to learn a lot about money management from those because my own parents were and still are the label whores and spenders. So any advice you could share, I for one would be all ears!

I'm the second poster - the one beginning with "This is pretty much us..". These are little ways I save: a) I look at what is on sale at a grocery store that week and try to make it there. My kids eat a ton of fresh produce and it is very expensive. If grapes are on sale for $.99/lb somewhere, I will go there just for grapes IF it is on my way somewhere else. I wouldn't drive out of my way for grapes. b) I look for ways to save money by looking for coupon codes for things like buying contacts online, rental cars (for those, after I book a rate, I'm looking repeatedly over the internet to shave money off if the deal gets better); c) I never, every buy a new piece of clothing for my kids UNLESS it is for part of a sports uniform, sporting equipment, etc. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, etc. (MANY of those things are hand me downs - but I can't even see spending $10 on a pair of rainboots when I can them for $3 or less. I figure if a pair of kids' shoes new is $40 on average and you add tennis shoes, rain boots, snow boots, sandals, crocs x 2 times per year for size changes, that is $400/year. If I did that for 10 years, that is $4,000 on SHOES for goodness sakes. So instead I buy them for $1-$3/pair, and I buy them ALL the time! I buy the next sizes up and keep them in a box stored. I do the same for kids' hats, socks, clothing, etc. $4,000 in shoes saved over 10 years + $10,000 in clothes saved over 10 years (modest estimate for 2 kids I think) is $14,000 in my pocket that would have taken me $20,000 to earn (after taxes I'd have $14,000 or so). I have bought coupons off of Ebay for things I buy a lot - milk, yogurt, etc. I don't use coupons that often but do use them. I buy a lot of gifts for the upcoming birthday year (not my own kids but for the bday parties they attend) usually in Dec. when there are a ton of sales. I don't spend more than $10/gift but they are usually $20-$30 items. I NEVER buy a birthday gift for a bday party last minute - that alone would be annoying to me and another wasted $10 more than I want so spend. Again, let's say my kids go to 25 birthday parties a year - that's another $250 in savings at least. I buy most of my kids' presents for the holidays throughout the year at thrift shops. I count to make sure pieces are there - and look on amazon at reviews of a product before I buy it. I wrap and then put them away). My kids don't have electronic games (huge money and time zapper). I don't pay for games on the ipad. On the flip side: we travel and spend a great deal on that. We go out to eat when we want - but if I have a coupon, I'll use it. We have several rental properties - which bring in money but also cost money. I think the main idea is that you look at buying things last minute versus planning ahead. picking what is important to you IN THE FUTURE and what you can shave off now.

I think you need to see a mental health professional if you earn so much and your poor kids have used socks, underware and shoes. I also think your husband makes the money. Seriously please get some help before your kids grow up messed up and spend spend spend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get this, we make 7 figure combine HHI and I not only shop at Goodwill, but also the Goodwill OUTLET! And the Salvatjon Army, which on Wednesdays has 25% off everything. I don't mind taking handing me downs clothes or furniture. I definitely play it forward by offering my hand me downs to others for free. How do you think some people stay well off!

There is nothing dirty about thrift stores, how is that different from antiques or vintage clothing? Some people on here sound like label whores (for lack of a better term), like people who walk around with price tags off their clothes. look at me, see how much I spent for my clothes! It's dumb.

This is pretty much us...just under a million dollar HHI. We max out retirements, have 175k in each of our kids' 529s (oldest kid is 6), and my kids wear name brand thrift-shop purchases Daily. I don't skimp on just them...I just try to buy on sale, use coupons when daily possible...like yogurt...one or two per shopping trip, and we save! My kids' clothes are then used by my sisters' kids and then donated to Goodwill or a church where they are shipped to El Salvador. I have a pretty confident feeling that my DD could careless she wore a previously used nice looking Nordestom dress in 2013 when it is 2025 and she starts college with everything paid for or it is 2045 and she doesn't have to support her parents.

I am being very honest here and not snarky at all - I feel like I could learn a lot about money from both of you. Our HHI is much much lower, but we try to buy on sale, use coupons when possible, and I also shop at consignment stores. We also donate back as well. It has taken me a long, long time to learn that if I blow all of our income on brand new items that we will always be perpetually spending and not saving- and never be well off. There have been many, many studies on the mindset and socio norms of those with incomes and net worth of seven figures or greater- and I am trying to learn a lot about money management from those because my own parents were and still are the label whores and spenders. So any advice you could share, I for one would be all ears!

I'm the second poster - the one beginning with "This is pretty much us..". These are little ways I save: a) I look at what is on sale at a grocery store that week and try to make it there. My kids eat a ton of fresh produce and it is very expensive. If grapes are on sale for $.99/lb somewhere, I will go there just for grapes IF it is on my way somewhere else. I wouldn't drive out of my way for grapes. b) I look for ways to save money by looking for coupon codes for things like buying contacts online, rental cars (for those, after I book a rate, I'm looking repeatedly over the internet to shave money off if the deal gets better); c) I never, every buy a new piece of clothing for my kids UNLESS it is for part of a sports uniform, sporting equipment, etc. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, etc. (MANY of those things are hand me downs - but I can't even see spending $10 on a pair of rainboots when I can them for $3 or less. I figure if a pair of kids' shoes new is $40 on average and you add tennis shoes, rain boots, snow boots, sandals, crocs x 2 times per year for size changes, that is $400/year. If I did that for 10 years, that is $4,000 on SHOES for goodness sakes. So instead I buy them for $1-$3/pair, and I buy them ALL the time! I buy the next sizes up and keep them in a box stored. I do the same for kids' hats, socks, clothing, etc. $4,000 in shoes saved over 10 years + $10,000 in clothes saved over 10 years (modest estimate for 2 kids I think) is $14,000 in my pocket that would have taken me $20,000 to earn (after taxes I'd have $14,000 or so). I have bought coupons off of Ebay for things I buy a lot - milk, yogurt, etc. I don't use coupons that often but do use them. I buy a lot of gifts for the upcoming birthday year (not my own kids but for the bday parties they attend) usually in Dec. when there are a ton of sales. I don't spend more than $10/gift but they are usually $20-$30 items. I NEVER buy a birthday gift for a bday party last minute - that alone would be annoying to me and another wasted $10 more than I want so spend. Again, let's say my kids go to 25 birthday parties a year - that's another $250 in savings at least. I buy most of my kids' presents for the holidays throughout the year at thrift shops. I count to make sure pieces are there - and look on amazon at reviews of a product before I buy it. I wrap and then put them away). My kids don't have electronic games (huge money and time zapper). I don't pay for games on the ipad. On the flip side: we travel and spend a great deal on that. We go out to eat when we want - but if I have a coupon, I'll use it. We have several rental properties - which bring in money but also cost money. I think the main idea is that you look at buying things last minute versus planning ahead. picking what is important to you IN THE FUTURE and what you can shave off now.

I think you need to see a mental health professional if you earn so much and your poor kids have used socks, underware and shoes. I also think your husband makes the money. Seriously please get some help before your kids grow up messed up and spend spend spend.

LOL I was just thinking the same thing. You have a HHI of $1 million and you are proud and boast on an anonymous forum that you buy used socks, underwear and shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get this, we make 7 figure combine HHI and I not only shop at Goodwill, but also the Goodwill OUTLET! And the Salvatjon Army, which on Wednesdays has 25% off everything. I don't mind taking handing me downs clothes or furniture. I definitely play it forward by offering my hand me downs to others for free. How do you think some people stay well off!

There is nothing dirty about thrift stores, how is that different from antiques or vintage clothing? Some people on here sound like label whores (for lack of a better term), like people who walk around with price tags off their clothes. look at me, see how much I spent for my clothes! It's dumb.

This is pretty much us...just under a million dollar HHI. We max out retirements, have 175k in each of our kids' 529s (oldest kid is 6), and my kids wear name brand thrift-shop purchases Daily. I don't skimp on just them...I just try to buy on sale, use coupons when daily possible...like yogurt...one or two per shopping trip, and we save! My kids' clothes are then used by my sisters' kids and then donated to Goodwill or a church where they are shipped to El Salvador. I have a pretty confident feeling that my DD could careless she wore a previously used nice looking Nordestom dress in 2013 when it is 2025 and she starts college with everything paid for or it is 2045 and she doesn't have to support her parents.

I am being very honest here and not snarky at all - I feel like I could learn a lot about money from both of you. Our HHI is much much lower, but we try to buy on sale, use coupons when possible, and I also shop at consignment stores. We also donate back as well. It has taken me a long, long time to learn that if I blow all of our income on brand new items that we will always be perpetually spending and not saving- and never be well off. There have been many, many studies on the mindset and socio norms of those with incomes and net worth of seven figures or greater- and I am trying to learn a lot about money management from those because my own parents were and still are the label whores and spenders. So any advice you could share, I for one would be all ears!

I'm the second poster - the one beginning with "This is pretty much us..". These are little ways I save: a) I look at what is on sale at a grocery store that week and try to make it there. My kids eat a ton of fresh produce and it is very expensive. If grapes are on sale for $.99/lb somewhere, I will go there just for grapes IF it is on my way somewhere else. I wouldn't drive out of my way for grapes. b) I look for ways to save money by looking for coupon codes for things like buying contacts online, rental cars (for those, after I book a rate, I'm looking repeatedly over the internet to shave money off if the deal gets better); c) I never, every buy a new piece of clothing for my kids UNLESS it is for part of a sports uniform, sporting equipment, etc. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, etc. (MANY of those things are hand me downs - but I can't even see spending $10 on a pair of rainboots when I can them for $3 or less. I figure if a pair of kids' shoes new is $40 on average and you add tennis shoes, rain boots, snow boots, sandals, crocs x 2 times per year for size changes, that is $400/year. If I did that for 10 years, that is $4,000 on SHOES for goodness sakes. So instead I buy them for $1-$3/pair, and I buy them ALL the time! I buy the next sizes up and keep them in a box stored. I do the same for kids' hats, socks, clothing, etc. $4,000 in shoes saved over 10 years + $10,000 in clothes saved over 10 years (modest estimate for 2 kids I think) is $14,000 in my pocket that would have taken me $20,000 to earn (after taxes I'd have $14,000 or so). I have bought coupons off of Ebay for things I buy a lot - milk, yogurt, etc. I don't use coupons that often but do use them. I buy a lot of gifts for the upcoming birthday year (not my own kids but for the bday parties they attend) usually in Dec. when there are a ton of sales. I don't spend more than $10/gift but they are usually $20-$30 items. I NEVER buy a birthday gift for a bday party last minute - that alone would be annoying to me and another wasted $10 more than I want so spend. Again, let's say my kids go to 25 birthday parties a year - that's another $250 in savings at least. I buy most of my kids' presents for the holidays throughout the year at thrift shops. I count to make sure pieces are there - and look on amazon at reviews of a product before I buy it. I wrap and then put them away). My kids don't have electronic games (huge money and time zapper). I don't pay for games on the ipad. On the flip side: we travel and spend a great deal on that. We go out to eat when we want - but if I have a coupon, I'll use it. We have several rental properties - which bring in money but also cost money. I think the main idea is that you look at buying things last minute versus planning ahead. picking what is important to you IN THE FUTURE and what you can shave off now.

I think you need to see a mental health professional if you earn so much and your poor kids have used socks, underware and shoes. I also think your husband makes the money. Seriously please get some help before your kids grow up messed up and spend spend spend.

My kids' college and any grad school will be completely paid for. Yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get this, we make 7 figure combine HHI and I not only shop at Goodwill, but also the Goodwill OUTLET! And the Salvatjon Army, which on Wednesdays has 25% off everything. I don't mind taking handing me downs clothes or furniture. I definitely play it forward by offering my hand me downs to others for free. How do you think some people stay well off!

There is nothing dirty about thrift stores, how is that different from antiques or vintage clothing? Some people on here sound like label whores (for lack of a better term), like people who walk around with price tags off their clothes. look at me, see how much I spent for my clothes! It's dumb.

This is pretty much us...just under a million dollar HHI. We max out retirements, have 175k in each of our kids' 529s (oldest kid is 6), and my kids wear name brand thrift-shop purchases Daily. I don't skimp on just them...I just try to buy on sale, use coupons when daily possible...like yogurt...one or two per shopping trip, and we save! My kids' clothes are then used by my sisters' kids and then donated to Goodwill or a church where they are shipped to El Salvador. I have a pretty confident feeling that my DD could careless she wore a previously used nice looking Nordestom dress in 2013 when it is 2025 and she starts college with everything paid for or it is 2045 and she doesn't have to support her parents.

I am being very honest here and not snarky at all - I feel like I could learn a lot about money from both of you. Our HHI is much much lower, but we try to buy on sale, use coupons when possible, and I also shop at consignment stores. We also donate back as well. It has taken me a long, long time to learn that if I blow all of our income on brand new items that we will always be perpetually spending and not saving- and never be well off. There have been many, many studies on the mindset and socio norms of those with incomes and net worth of seven figures or greater- and I am trying to learn a lot about money management from those because my own parents were and still are the label whores and spenders. So any advice you could share, I for one would be all ears!

I'm the second poster - the one beginning with "This is pretty much us..". These are little ways I save: a) I look at what is on sale at a grocery store that week and try to make it there. My kids eat a ton of fresh produce and it is very expensive. If grapes are on sale for $.99/lb somewhere, I will go there just for grapes IF it is on my way somewhere else. I wouldn't drive out of my way for grapes. b) I look for ways to save money by looking for coupon codes for things like buying contacts online, rental cars (for those, after I book a rate, I'm looking repeatedly over the internet to shave money off if the deal gets better); c) I never, every buy a new piece of clothing for my kids UNLESS it is for part of a sports uniform, sporting equipment, etc. This includes shoes, socks, underwear, etc. (MANY of those things are hand me downs - but I can't even see spending $10 on a pair of rainboots when I can them for $3 or less. I figure if a pair of kids' shoes new is $40 on average and you add tennis shoes, rain boots, snow boots, sandals, crocs x 2 times per year for size changes, that is $400/year. If I did that for 10 years, that is $4,000 on SHOES for goodness sakes. So instead I buy them for $1-$3/pair, and I buy them ALL the time! I buy the next sizes up and keep them in a box stored. I do the same for kids' hats, socks, clothing, etc. $4,000 in shoes saved over 10 years + $10,000 in clothes saved over 10 years (modest estimate for 2 kids I think) is $14,000 in my pocket that would have taken me $20,000 to earn (after taxes I'd have $14,000 or so). I have bought coupons off of Ebay for things I buy a lot - milk, yogurt, etc. I don't use coupons that often but do use them. I buy a lot of gifts for the upcoming birthday year (not my own kids but for the bday parties they attend) usually in Dec. when there are a ton of sales. I don't spend more than $10/gift but they are usually $20-$30 items. I NEVER buy a birthday gift for a bday party last minute - that alone would be annoying to me and another wasted $10 more than I want so spend. Again, let's say my kids go to 25 birthday parties a year - that's another $250 in savings at least. I buy most of my kids' presents for the holidays throughout the year at thrift shops. I count to make sure pieces are there - and look on amazon at reviews of a product before I buy it. I wrap and then put them away). My kids don't have electronic games (huge money and time zapper). I don't pay for games on the ipad. On the flip side: we travel and spend a great deal on that. We go out to eat when we want - but if I have a coupon, I'll use it. We have several rental properties - which bring in money but also cost money. I think the main idea is that you look at buying things last minute versus planning ahead. picking what is important to you IN THE FUTURE and what you can shave off now.

I think you need to see a mental health professional if you earn so much and your poor kids have used socks, underware and shoes. I also think your husband makes the money. Seriously please get some help before your kids grow up messed up and spend spend spend.

Oh...and I'm a lawyer, and earn plenty.

[Anonymous]

Serious question for the rich thrifty posters:

Do you work? If so, how do you find the time to scout thrift shops for clothing and different grocery stores for deals? DH and I try to keep our weekend errands to a minimum, but they can still easily take up a few hours or more.

I've started shopping for DD's clothes at thrift stores, but I don't necessarily find what I need there when I go. And I hate shopping or the idea of spending lots of time cloth shopping. And sometimes I find stuff that I wasn't looking for, but buy anyway because of the price/deal.