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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You put Target and the Dollar Store in the same category?

Yeah I do. Target stuff is cheap as hell, IMO.

You're awfully short-sighted, PP. I bought my daughter a Carter's outfit at Macy's. I was later pissed to see it at Target for half the price. So, I agree that Target's prices may be cheap, but the quality is the same as designer stores many times. Case in point, my DD romps around on the playground with all of the kids and the outfit is in great shape after like three seasons. I bought in size 4T when she was in 3s and she's kept it looking great. Tar-jay people- don't over look it!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still, buying chidlren used clothing from a thrift shop, that is for people on welfare and foodstamps. I actually think if you are shopping for kids clothes at thrift shops and you are not truly poor, what you are doing is kind of morally wrong. There are people who really need those items and you are buying it instead just to be "thrifty".

Shorter PP: Thrift stores, you're doing it wrong.

[Anonymous]

Morally wrong to shop at a thrift store? Unbelievable. How about environmentally aware? Since when is being part of the recycling process morally wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still, buying chidlren used clothing from a thrift shop, that is for people on welfare and foodstamps. I actually think if you are shopping for kids clothes at thrift shops and you are not truly poor, what you are doing is kind of morally wrong. There are people who really need those items and you are buying it instead just to be "thrifty".

Wow - that is unbelievable. Thrift stores are not like food stamps where you have to qualify with a certain lower income in order to participate. The funds used for thrift store purchases help the community, the items purchased help the environment, and if I am able to afford any clothing I want but instead buy items for $1/each and instead am able to fully fund my kids' college education, they are in designer, well-maintained clothes, and I will ultimately be able to leave them tons of money when I die...which do you think is a wiser choice. Oh wait - I don't really want YOUR opinion on it. I want the opinion of someone who is more money-savvy.

[Anonymous]

I have a confession to make. I have enough high-quality, clearance clothes to keep my 3 year old dressed until he enters 1st grade...maybe longer. I"m so glad to see others do this "I liked x, it went on clearance, I purchased in next 3 sizes". Makes me feel far less like a crazy hoarder.

Ebay-ers...can you tell us more about how you get good quality for sure? How do you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Morally wrong to shop at a thrift store? Unbelievable. How about environmentally aware? Since when is being part of the recycling process morally wrong?

I also think of it as renting. I buy from a thrift store and return the item back when we are done. Often, doesn't look much less used either. and I also donate a LOT of stuff to Goodwill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two daughters but find that the only brands that I can hand down are tea/Hannah or boden. No way is an old navy tshirt going to last past one season but a Hanna tshirt will.

This winter I purchased 4 long sleeve t-shirts from Boden, 2 from H&M and 4 from Old Navy. The Boden look the worst and lost their shape while the other two brands didn't. Now, the Boden pants I got were fabulous. I like them lined for winter.

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. Don't your kids grow? The girl who wears UGGs for two years? Really? My kids change grow 2 shoe sizes in one year. That's why I buy the $10 and $20 shoes at Target. They don't need to hold up that long.

As for clothes, I have 2 girls, 3 years apart. The older one gets all hand me downs from her cousin. Those get passed down to the younger daughter. Occasionally if I buy something new, I get it from Children's Place and it usually lasts long enough for both girls to wear. Not the highest quality, but not expensive if on sale.

[Anonymous]

I recently purchased three beautiful dresses for my daughter at a thrift store in much lauded DCUM community. She wore one on Mother's Day and my mother who is an excellent seamstress was so impressed by the stitching and details. If you think that makes me poor, so be it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would consider people who shop at thrift shops poor, not cheap.

Please keep thinking this. Please also keep donating your almost-new brand-name stuff to the thrift stores. Because if you didn't, then I couldn't buy it. Thank you!

+1

Our annual HHI is $200K but many of our clothes and household items come from Value Village.

+200

[Anonymous]

I consider myself a thrifty shopper. I shop bargains (for good and better quality clothing). I have picked up expensive brand clothing with the tags still on them at consignment shops, shows etc... This does take time, and when I have the time I shop like this. However, I also buy Target, Children's Place etc... for some items. I have also paid full price for certain items that are hard to get (or when I know my children need something very specific). I had never, in the past bought at Hanna on the sale rack (never bought anything there full price ever). I did, however, find a dress for my DD that she loves on the sale rack this year. She is wearing it to death. In addition, I shop outlet sales. The one thing I do not buy used, or at the outlets etc.. is shoes. Caveat: my kids have really wide feet and shoes are harder to find in the first place. Shoes are always new and I do ge them fitted and pay retail for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get it. Don't your kids grow? The girl who wears UGGs for two years? Really? My kids change grow 2 shoe sizes in one year. That's why I buy the $10 and $20 shoes at Target. They don't need to hold up that long.

As for clothes, I have 2 girls, 3 years apart. The older one gets all hand me downs from her cousin. Those get passed down to the younger daughter. Occasionally if I buy something new, I get it from Children's Place and it usually lasts long enough for both girls to wear. Not the highest quality, but not expensive if on sale.

That is my daughter and, yes, I know it is unusual for a child to wear shoes two years in a row. She is 9 and her feet seem to grow only every other year. It is wierd. She also has tiny feet for her height. Uggs are kind of different too in that you can wear them a little big and a little small. The fleece gives them more growing room I guess. But, you should know that the one thing pediatricians and orthos say you should spend money on is good shoes. The cheap shoes from Target are not vewry good for their feet. That said, I doubt $200 Uggs are good for the feet either!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would consider people who shop at thrift shops poor, not cheap.

Please keep thinking this. Please also keep donating your almost-new brand-name stuff to the thrift stores. Because if you didn't, then I couldn't buy it. Thank you!

+1

Our annual HHI is $200K but many of our clothes and household items come from Value Village.

+200

I'm the original poster who said I think people who shop at thrift shops are poor and not cheap.

We currently have a HHI of $700k+. However, we were at $200k a few years ago before DH started earning. I went to a thrift shop once and I felt dirty just being in there. I would not be proud shopping at a thrift shop. Fine if you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would consider people who shop at thrift shops poor, not cheap.

Please keep thinking this. Please also keep donating your almost-new brand-name stuff to the thrift stores. Because if you didn't, then I couldn't buy it. Thank you!

+1

Our annual HHI is $200K but many of our clothes and household items come from Value Village.

+200

I'm the original poster who said I think people who shop at thrift shops are poor and not cheap.

We currently have a HHI of $700k+. However, we were at $200k a few years ago before DH started earning. I went to a thrift shop once and I felt dirty just being in there. I would not be proud shopping at a thrift shop. Fine if you do.

And what do you mean by household items? Furniture? Kitchenware? Would not want that in my house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a confession to make. I have enough high-quality, clearance clothes to keep my 3 year old dressed until he enters 1st grade...maybe longer. I"m so glad to see others do this "I liked x, it went on clearance, I purchased in next 3 sizes". Makes me feel far less like a crazy hoarder.

Ebay-ers...can you tell us more about how you get good quality for sure? How do you know?

Ha! Same here, only I have a girl, and I purchase 2 years ahead.

I also sometimes shop eBay, and, for me, the only way to ensure true good quality is buy 'new-with-tags'. I also buy used clothing there, listed in excellent shape, and, for the most part, it fits the description.