Thrifty vs. Cheap when it comes to kids' stuff (clothes, school supplies, etc..)
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Anonymous
Could you please share the address? |
Anonymous
| I shop at consignment sales. You could call that cheap, thirty, or practical. We don't care. We have what we need to take care of our little one. |
Anonymous
Wow! You are such a colossal SNOB!!!! Really, what a judgmental bitch! I'm pretty shocked that someone can genuinely be such a snob. Do you share such views in person too? If so, I hope the reaction of others around you is a lesson to you. Do you have any antiques in your home? If so, you do realize they are "used" too? If you want to waste your money, and the world's resources then fine by me. Just know that I (and many others) think you are an idiot for doing so. I am very proud that most of my kids clothes come from Value Village. There is nothing righteous about wasting money. Not only that but most of the clothes are of good quality and often brand new and good brands. Most of their toys come from there too. When we are done with their clothes and toys we donate them to Goodwill (we also shop there) or pass them on to friends and neighbors. We have a great lifestyle because we don't waste money unnecessarily, we also save a ton and have no debt which I doubt I can say of someone who is as much of a snob as you. You're probably mortgaged to the hilt and when either you or your husband loses your job will have to foreclose quickly and ultimately find yourself shopping at "dirty" thrift stores for financial reasons. Oh, how the rest of us will laugh). |
Anonymous
| Where are these thrift stores you are talking about, and how do you have the time to go to multiple places every season? I personally can't see buying multiple sizes up. My dd's skipped entire sizes and are both at a completely different size now than what I predicted. I live in Herndon if you could point me to some thrift stores in No Va that are organized well enough for me to shop there with my 5 and 7 year old dd's, I would appreciate it. |
Anonymous
The mission of Goodwill, Salvation Army, and similar organizations that run thrift shops is to provide jobs for the developmentally and otherwise challenged, and to raise money. The goal is NOT to provide cheap things for poor people. There is plenty of secondhand stuff to go around. There is nothing ethically problematic about a wealthy person who chooses to thrift. In fact, I would argue the opposite - that it is more ethically defensible than shopping retail, because it keeps goods in circulation rather than in the landfill. |
Anonymous
| I totally buy secondhand (in additional to new stuff) because some of it is cuter than the new stuff. I can't afford some of the pricier brands new, but I can afford them on consignment, and it's cool to break out of the Old Navy/Children's Place/Target/Carters rut sometimes. My kid is 4 now. I'll continue to buy a mix of used and new until she asks me to stop. I buy shoes new unless they're dress-up shoes or ballet slippers, which we inherit from my older niece. |
Anonymous
PP you quoted here. Some of the household things I have bought at thrift shops, including Value Village, are: Trays for use around the house (I do makeovers on some with paint, decoupage, etc.) Purses for myself (B Markowsky, Tignanello, Cole Haan) - in brand-new condition Occasional tables (one labeled Domain on the underside) One Hickory chair, in perfect shape - we use it in our living room Framed things for the wall (e.g. large framed Matisse print) Glad you don't want it in your house - more for me! |
Anonymous
Well, according to our HHI you are considered rich. So, you probably don't feel like you belong with the rest of us in the actual middle class. Nothing wrong with that. My own mother feels that way. I however, do not and I'm proud and happy to shop second hand and save my family some money. We do not have extra money to just spread around. We actually have to watch our dollars and put them to use to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. |
Anonymous
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I have a boy and we wear lands end, h and m, gap, janie and jack, gymboree, some things of etsy, and whatever I see at the thrift store and like....
I made less then 24,000 last year its all about how you shop. Example I bought his winter coat for next year a lands end coat marked down in April from 109 to 17. got to love sales. Thanks Sears. I bought his lands end back pack the same place for $7.00 I stock up on play clothes from h and m sure they are kinda cheaply made but 5 dollar shirts and 10 dollar shorts that he likes whatever. gap pants I stock up on when they go on sale or I see them at the consignment or thrift store even if to big basic boys jeans arent going out of style. gmboree I hit up on major sale times but I dont really love them generally. janie and jack I splurge and buy a couple cute sweaters there each season usually. |
Anonymous
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The differnce between thrifty and cheap to me is -
thrifty is using your resources wisely to get good quality items for a good price. so for clothes things that wash well, hold up to kids abuse, and keep there shape and dont fad crazy fast. cheap is buying whatever you find for the least amount regardless of fit or quality. So buying your son cheap ass walmart pants because they are 8 is cheap buying your kid 5 dollar gap pants from the consignment store I would call thrifty. |
Anonymous
This is a symptom of being disconnected from real life and its prioritization of different essential purchases such as food, clothing and a roof over your head. Please do not be so ignorant, rude and insensitive as to excoriate thrift-store shoppers. Some are obligated to do it, and some, like me, find it a thrill to find lovely vintage designer clothes, save money and be eco-friendly into the bargain! Consignment shopping takes time. And of course one should be vigilant: I freeze all my purchases in the freezer as soon as I get home to kill off any potential clothes mites. Then I wash them. A common-sense precaution, and well worth the extra effort, considering I buy my favorite Burberry, Dior, Janie & Jack, Jacadi and Catimini brands for - let me see - a 10th of the price? It's a smart way to consume, and save my money for more long-term investments. |
Anonymous
PP- There, but for the grace of God, go you. You probably can't imagine it now, but there may come a time in your life when you are happy to shop at a thrift store, You just never know. |
Anonymous
| I see thriftiness as preferring to save money if you are able to (buying on sale vs. full price, etc.). Thriftiness devolves into cheapness when you choose saving money over the well-being, happiness, etc. of yourself or others. Stocking up on half priced Christmas cards after the holidays is thrifty; skipping the cards altogether because you don't want to spend money you could easily afford is cheap. Buying a discounted six pack of onesies for a newborn who doesn't care what she's wearing is thrifty. Buying ill fitting, misshapen used clothes for a middle schooler who will be teased as a result is cheap if you can afford better. |
Anonymous
Shining example of how money does not buy class. |
Anonymous
My parents did not have much money. They still did not take me to thrift shops to buy clothes. I would have been mortified as a middle/high school student shopping at thrift stores. I really don't think anyone I know shops at thrift stores. |