Clothing your family can be an expensive endeavor, especially with the growth spurts that children go through so often when they are younger.

Rule of thumb- don’t waste trendy, expensive clothing on newborns and toddlers. Your child’s teenage years are going to demand enough of that, so save yourself the financial stress and temper tantrums over $100 jeans for when they’re older.

Restrict yourself from impulse buying. Hold yourself to the rule of buying clothes only if you or your family absolutely needs them. When you do purchase new items of clothing, do so wisely. Steer clear from trendy or overly fashionable items- they will be out of style within a few months. It is best to invest in a few “staple” pieces that match existing pieces in your child’s wardrobe and can be worn in a variety of styles. Stores like Target, TJ Maxx, and Costco are great resources to purchase quality clothing that won’t be a strain on your budget.

Take advantage of end-of-season clearance and buyout specials, especially on big ticket items such as winter coats. You can easily find discounts of 75% or more on winter clothing at the end of March or April, and summer clothing at the beginning of August and September. This can be a bit trickier for younger children because they outgrow things so quickly, but for teenagers and older children you can find significant savings.

Consider setting up a schedule for purchasing new clothes, and make sure your children are aware of the new ruling. It makes sense to shop in the late summer for new school clothes and proper fitting shoes for the fall- repeat the process in the spring. Before going shopping for new clothes, have your family go through their closets and remove clothing that they no longer wear and/or that they have outgrown.

Enforce the policy of hand-me-down clothing, and redistribute articles of clothing to other members of the family once they have been outgrown. Offer to send your family’s hand-me-downs to other relatives if they agree to do the same. Start a clothing swap among neighborhood parents for younger children- everyone is in the same tight spot that you are, and will welcome a chance to save money on clothing for their kids.

Creative thinking and flexibility are the keys to keeping your family budget intact. These tips will help you stick to a strict clothing budget and save money for more important things. And with a family- there is always something (or someone) that needs money!

Posted in Home Budget

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