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

[Anonymous]

I like Target, Kohl's, and Gap most of the time. It does hold up pretty well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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).

We are not snobs. We both come from humble beginnings. DH worked his ass off because he grew up poor. His parents still did not buy him clothes from a thrift shop either! We both worked in high school and bought our own clothes. We have strong work ethic. DH is also obsessed with saving so we have no debt. We are also very thrifty.

Maybe your poor kids will work hard and eventually earn $500k+ because they hated being poor when they were kids like we did...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

I'm the PP who buys the cheap Target shoes. Just because an ortho says not to buy cheap shoes, you shouldn't? In the past, every time I've paid $50 for shoes at Stride Rite, my kids have complained that the shoes are digging into their feet. Maybe it's just my kids who have feet shaped for cheap shoes, but their most comfy shoes have been Target and (GASP!) Payless.

[Anonymous]

Framed things for the wall (e.g. large framed Matisse print)

Aaahhhhh, this explains SOOOOO much. Now I get why you think it is okay to shop at Thrift Stores for your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

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.

You probably do know people who thrift; you just don't know it.

My teens happily shop at thrift stores and indeed, my DD bought this year's prom dress ($14.99) and sandals ($6.99) at Value Village. She looked fantastic. They think it is hip/cool to find vintage clothing.

We have fully-funded college funds for them ($400K liquid) and about $1.5M saved for retirement. Thrifting helps us continue to save.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids wear a lot of target. They outgrow it before it's worn out.
Maybe as they get older that will change.

I have 2 boys in preschool. They love character t shirts. We buy mostly clothes from Target or similar. I also buy them sweats and t shirts from the Ralph Lauren and Nautica outlet. I would consider myself thrifty.

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

I agree. I buy my kids clothes at a million different places and always a few items from Target. Target's cargo boys pants and shorts wear really well for my pre-teen son. There sweats and sports gear are decent too. I also buy both of my kids really nice stuff that costs a lot more. I mix it up. I shop sales, Zulily, outlets, and then some trunk show pieces too. 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".

I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

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.

Did your parents emigrate to the US? Many of the first-gen kids in my school were extremely concerned about wearing the "right" things. Not a criticism as I can understand the need to blend in at times....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Framed things for the wall (e.g. large framed Matisse print)

Aaahhhhh, this explains SOOOOO much. Now I get why you think it is okay to shop at Thrift Stores for your children.

My DD loves Matisse. You don't. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

I shop at consignment stores- which have both new and used clothing- as boutiques. I also shop on ThredUp.com. In addition I shop Zuilily, REI Outlet, and all the other typical brands but on sale. We constantly get compliments on our clothes- and no one knows the difference. We purchase shoes, underclothes, and workout gear new.

I will be honest, I drove to the Value Village once, but couldn't go in... it looked kind of dirty to me. I don't shop at Goodwill or other typical thrift stores... there's a stigma for me and I just can't do it. For some reason, for me the consignment is sort of my limit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Framed things for the wall (e.g. large framed Matisse print)

Aaahhhhh, this explains SOOOOO much. Now I get why you think it is okay to shop at Thrift Stores for your children.

My DD loves Matisse. You don't. Whatever.

I think they're referring to the fact that it's a framed print...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is the problem with someone else's post on this thread. For those who are NOT in the know...the choice is not cheap clothes from a thrift store in horrible shape OR buying new clothes that are in good shape for a lot more money. You're completely disregarding that you cannot tell whether my kid (wearing thrift shop buys of Nordstrom pants + a Janie & Jack shirt today) is dressed any differently from the mom who bought Nordstrom/Janie & Jack items new from the store. You must think that thrift shop buyers look horribly disgusting. WRONG.

[Anonymous]

all i can think of while reading this post is the macklemore thrift shop song... haha... all of you need to go to youtube and watch the video now if you havent seen it already!

anyway... on to the topic...

i defintely have found that when you go to a department store you can typically find the namebrand cheaper if you go directly to that brands website (example, if you see osh kosh at macys i bet it is cheaper on their website) - so unless it is an outfit you MUST have at that moment then you might as well just buy it online later

i have a "junk email" setup where i get probably every spam email from any store you can think of and when i feel like shopping i look through it to see who has some good deals and use those coupons or codes or whatever. so technically it is "new" and "name brand" but at least it is reasonable.

that being said my son does have hand-me-downs and i am so glad he does because there are some things i never would have thought to buy my son myself - it helps round out the wardrobe

i personally have not had good luck at thrift shops, but i think that is mainly because i am not patient enough to really look through the items and find those "diamonds on the rough" that i know exist. i also hate shopping and like doing things online so that is probably why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree. There are many other ways to be environmentally-conscious. Save the thrift store deals for those who truly need them.

Again. Thrift stores stay in business BY SELLING THINGS. Please explain how not buying things from thrift stores helps thrift stores stay in business.

(I'm also curious about whether you apply this kind of thinking to any other commercial transaction. "No, I'm sorry, I always only pay full retail price; I'm trying to save the deals for those who truly need them.")

My mother worked at a thrift store. Their biggest problem was people coming in on "re-stock day" and snapping up all the good stuff to sell for a profit on e-bay. It made her mad and I agree. They never lacked for customers. I don't donate to Goodwill and Salvation Army to help "thrifty" DCUM-ers pay for college. Shop sales all you want but thrift store donations are not intended for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

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.

My sister in law who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth (as in, a 10,000/month trust fund baby starting from 18 years old and who spent $5,000/month - seriously - on clothes) almost died when she went in and got 2 pairs of Diesel jeans for $10 each from Value Village and said, "I've been a FOOL all this time!" Question: Would you rather your parents clothe you in the creame de la creame OR pay your college in full + leave you millions upon their death? Gee, I hope I picked the right answer for my kids (who currently have, at the ages of 3 + 7) a combined $325,000 in their 529 plans. Do you really think my kid who is now 7 will look back when I can pay for her college outright and be pissed I put her in designer, inexpensive, previously worn clothes? And for what it is worth, we drive modest cars and live modestly ourselves.