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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm quite surprised by how many people on the forum by used clothing and routinely shop at thrift stores! I grew up in a solidly middle-class (most definitely not even close to wealthy) home and have never been inside a thrift store. In such a wealthy area as DC I would have expected most people not even to be aware of "used" options. These shopping practices (what the heck is Value Village?) would never have occurred to me!

Also, don't trends change? What was cool three or four years ago certainly won't be cool next year. How does used clothes/ thrift store shopping account for that? I can't imagine being caught dead in a pair of used Skidz in 1995, even they they were super cool in 1993!

I buy used for my toddler. What was cute 5 years ago is still cute today on a toddler boy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I often buy when I don't need (summer items at the end of the summer, next size up). I also hit a store...thrift store, grocery store, etc., on my way somewhere -- to a sporting event, work, home, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm quite surprised by how many people on the forum by used clothing and routinely shop at thrift stores! I grew up in a solidly middle-class (most definitely not even close to wealthy) home and have never been inside a thrift store. In such a wealthy area as DC I would have expected most people not even to be aware of "used" options. These shopping practices (what the heck is Value Village?) would never have occurred to me!

Also, don't trends change? What was cool three or four years ago certainly won't be cool next year. How does used clothes/ thrift store shopping account for that? I can't imagine being caught dead in a pair of used Skidz in 1995, even they they were super cool in 1993!

I buy used for my toddler. What was cute 5 years ago is still cute today on a toddler boy.

You're not buying 20 year old clothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I am poster that buys used clothes and toys (but not the used underwear, shoes and socks, gross). No, I don't work outside the home anymore. We have a minimalist approach to life, so I am not regularly going to thrift and consignment stores. I go when there is a need for something. I do find great deals at semi annual consignment sales, like ones at church's or through mom's groups and then I might stock up for items but otherwise it is like going to Target, you don't really need anything and end up buying $200 of random stuff. Same goes for thise groupon, one kings lane, etc deal websites, i dont belong to them bc it entices you to buy stuff you dont need. i also have stopped fighting the inlaws on how much they give our kids, I guess it was a control issue before but now I just let them buy the kids clothes, books and toys, they even take the kids on vacations on their dime. I consider myself extremely lucky.

I am not a cheap gift giver and I also don't scrounge around for coupons. If I am buying something online, sure I will google search for a free shipping code or a coupon, but my time is valuable and I am not one of those extreme coupon ladies who is spending 40 hours a week to get $500 of free groceries consisting of free pasta, hotdogs and antacid. Don't be a penny wise but a pound foolish.

I am a big negotiator, DH and I negotiate everything, even paying cash at doctors. Listen, all they can say is no. Start with "what is the best price I can get today?" Or "can we do better if I write a check/pay cash?" Shop around and get quotes and say "I like doing business with you and want to keep my business here, but x is offering this, can you match or beat that? That is how we did our refi and got our mortgage company to basically just modify the note with a lower interest rate, which meant no closing costs or crazy paperwork. Sure beats having to cut a ton of 50 cent coupons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I am poster that buys used clothes and toys (but not the used underwear, shoes and socks, gross). No, I don't work outside the home anymore. We have a minimalist approach to life, so I am not regularly going to thrift and consignment stores. I go when there is a need for something. I do find great deals at semi annual consignment sales, like ones at church's or through mom's groups and then I might stock up for items but otherwise it is like going to Target, you don't really need anything and end up buying $200 of random stuff. Same goes for thise groupon, one kings lane, etc deal websites, i dont belong to them bc it entices you to buy stuff you dont need. i also have stopped fighting the inlaws on how much they give our kids, I guess it was a control issue before but now I just let them buy the kids clothes, books and toys, they even take the kids on vacations on their dime. I consider myself extremely lucky.

I am not a cheap gift giver and I also don't scrounge around for coupons. If I am buying something online, sure I will google search for a free shipping code or a coupon, but my time is valuable and I am not one of those extreme coupon ladies who is spending 40 hours a week to get $500 of free groceries consisting of free pasta, hotdogs and antacid. Don't be a penny wise but a pound foolish.

I am a big negotiator, DH and I negotiate everything, even paying cash at doctors. Listen, all they can say is no. Start with "what is the best price I can get today?" Or "can we do better if I write a check/pay cash?" Shop around and get quotes and say "I like doing business with you and want to keep my business here, but x is offering this, can you match or beat that? That is how we did our refi and got our mortgage company to basically just modify the note with a lower interest rate, which meant no closing costs or crazy paperwork. Sure beats having to cut a ton of 50 cent coupons.

I think getting a doctors' office to reduce your bill is odd and kind is sad.

[Anonymous]

Because doctors and hospitals are so honest in the rates they charge?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because doctors and hospitals are so honest in the rates they charge?

Because you don't Nicklel and dime everyone, especially those that help the most. Well, I don't, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Here is an example, I broke my arm, went to ER, got X-ray and brace. Had follow up with WOSM ortho group, who had just stopped taking my insurance so I had to pay out of network. I bring my X-rays with me, so no radiology required or medical equipment because I already had those. They charged me $2,000, that is not a typo. I was like WTF?! They said their new business model is a per injury fee, that $2,000 covers 60 days of office visits related to the injury, and my injury would only require that initial follow and a 6 week recheck, so $2,000 for 2 visits. Who is nickel and diming who?! I am sorry but that is ridiculous, and I told them that nicely, politely and calmly. I asked if I paid all the money upfront right then instead of waiting to bill me would they offer and discount, and then said sure, give us $500. I didn't even have to negotiate, I just asked. so it seems like to me someone is grossly overcharging. I would like to think all doctors and hospitals charge honest and fair rates but IMHO that is not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And your kids wear used underwear. Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And your kids wear used underwear. Gross.

Yep...from an older cousin. Ewwww (not). Again, how much in your kids' 529s? Lets ask our kids 13 years from now who is glad how their parents shopped 13 years before...yours or mine? Mine will have all school paid for, will never have to financially support us, have a large inheritance distributed at certain ages, and even a trust set up to pay for THEIR kids' school. But you're right....they will not be happy I chose this path for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think getting a doctors' office to reduce your bill is odd and kind is sad.

Have you ever looked at the benefit statement from your health insurance? Specifically the column for how much the thing supposedly costs, and the column for how much your insurance paid? Everybody with health insurance gets the doctors' offices (and hospitals!) to reduce their bills -- it's just that they have other people (i.e., the insurance company) do the negotiating.

[Anonymous]

I am one of the ones asking for helpful tips/advice from wealthy thrifters. Our HHI is 150k, not 1mil.
Here are the things we do:
-I shop ThredUp for both myself and my kids.
-I shop upscale consignment stores/vintage stores in Bethesda for myself and my kids.
-I do not buy used shoes/underclothes/socks.
-I do use coupons whenever possible.
-I do keep an eye out for any savings (ie. some companies offer deals with cellphone providers, insurance company deals, etc)
-We do not buy used mattresses or bedding but I have two gorgeous dining/kitchen tables that would have easily cost $4000 brand new- but I picked out what I wanted and waited for them on CL. I have also purchased some toys and books used as well.
-We do go out to eat and my DH and I do go on dates. It's important to us.

All of this to say, we're trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

And your kids wear used underwear. Gross.

Yep...from an older cousin. Ewwww (not). Again, how much in your kids' 529s? Lets ask our kids 13 years from now who is glad how their parents shopped 13 years before...yours or mine? Mine will have all school paid for, will never have to financially support us, have a large inheritance distributed at certain ages, and even a trust set up to pay for THEIR kids' school. But you're right....they will not be happy I chose this path for them.

I grew up in a thrifty household. I got hand me down socks and shoes for sure, underwear rarely. Yes, when I was in middle school I told my parents I hated used clothes and that I would be miserable without Guess jeans and trendy sneakers. (They bought me one pair of each.) But that passed. Now I am a thrifty adult and am so grateful that my parents had money for my education and money to pay for their own retirement. To the poster who advised that the thrift parents see a mental health professional (and who misspelled "underwear") -- you have no clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And your kids wear used underwear. Gross.

Yep...from an older cousin. Ewwww (not). Again, how much in your kids' 529s? Lets ask our kids 13 years from now who is glad how their parents shopped 13 years before...yours or mine? Mine will have all school paid for, will never have to financially support us, have a large inheritance distributed at certain ages, and even a trust set up to pay for THEIR kids' school. But you're right....they will not be happy I chose this path for them.

Our kids have fully funded college funds. We also have a HHI of $1 million and we do not buy used underwear, shoes or socks. Don't think you are the only one who makes a decent living around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And your kids wear used underwear. Gross.

Yep...from an older cousin. Ewwww (not). Again, how much in your kids' 529s? Lets ask our kids 13 years from now who is glad how their parents shopped 13 years before...yours or mine? Mine will have all school paid for, will never have to financially support us, have a large inheritance distributed at certain ages, and even a trust set up to pay for THEIR kids' school. But you're right....they will not be happy I chose this path for them.

Our kids have fully funded college funds. We also have a HHI of $1 million and we do not buy used underwear, shoes or socks. Don't think you are the only one who makes a decent living around here.

No edit function but why don't you go around your office and tell everyone how your kids wear used underwear. See how great everyone thinks you are.