Photo by ruycesar on Flickr
I love buying clothes. Doesn’t it make you feel fantastic to be wearing something you truly love and feel amazing in? For me the answer is yes! Since becoming a work-at-home-mom, I haven’t really invested in clothes that make me feel awesome. Instead, I usually choose items that are more practical, this way when I get paint, glitter or glue all over them I don’t freak out. It’s not that I wear sweats or yoga pants all the time — I’m actually more of a jeans girl. Now that the boys are getting older and we are way past the spit up stage, I think it’s semi-safe for me to wear things that are comfortable but perhaps a bit more fashionable than what I have been wearing over the past 4 years. This means that I want to invest a little more money into my wardrobe but of course I don’t want to spend a fortune doing it either.
In the past (before kids of course) I would have headed to the mall and shopped my little heart out without considering what I was buying, how much I was spending or considering that I might be able to find the same item – or something similar - for less. But alas, those days are over. Actually, even if I wanted to be that frivolous, we can’t afford it — plus, I have learned so much about saving money since having the boys that even if money wasn’t an issue, I couldn’t do it without thinking about how silly I was being just throwing money away. So I have come up with some simple and painless ways to expand my wardrobe without busting our budget or adding credit card debt.
Shop Secondhand
I have learned a few things about shopping secondhand over the past few years. It’s easy and it can save you so much money!!! My secondhand stores of choice are consignment shops. I have taken the boys’ gently used clothing and toys to one of my favorite children’s consignment store in our area and have gotten some amazing deals! Depending on how much money I have earned from the sale of the boys’ previously worn items, I can get a bag full of “new” clothes for next to nothing. Even if I don’t have any credits I can still get great name brand clothing that looks new for an amazing price. There are women’s and men’s consignment shops too. At these stores you can purchase designer clothes for exceptional prices. Many times the items in these shops are not consigned because they aren’t stylish, often it’s because someone has either lost or gained weight — or they just like to clear their closets so they can buy more clothes. Go ahead, give secondhand shopping a try.
Visit Discount Stores
There are many stores such as Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and others who benefit from overstocks or store clearance. I have purchased some beautiful items for amazing deals. These stores are also great for purchasing fashion accessories, shoes, handbags and even home decor at super low prices.
Surf the Web
You can get some great deals by shopping online. Amazon, Ebay, Esty, etc. are ideal for finding good deals on clothing and accessories. Even shopping from some of your favorite department stores online can save you money. Many stores offer better deals online than they do in store because they don’t have the overhead of a brick and mortar store. Many stores offer free shipping if you pick the item up at a store near you. Be sure to check for coupon codes before you checkout; this will also help to save you money. Make sure you know the return/exchange policies before you buy. Most stores make returns and exchanges easy as long as you have the receipt. Shopping online also gives to the ability to quickly price check to find the best deals.
Shop Clearance
End of season clearance is the BEST time to buy new clothing. You can save 50%, 60% or even 80% when stores are clearing out thir inventory to make room for the new season’s fashion. I just picked up a Simply Vera (Vera Wang) purse for $25 it was regularly $125. I almost bought it when it was 1/2 off but decided not to since Christmas was just around the corner. Boy am I glad I waited. It certainly paid off! Often times you will still get a lot of wear out of an item before the season actually ends. It’s January and I’ve already seen bikinis and other summer fashions proudly displayed (at regular price) in stores. I bought a swimming suit last year for 75% off because it was September. I don’t have to worry about getting one now, I just have to worry about getting in shape so I’ll look good in it.
Make the Old New Again
Take inventory of what is already in your closet and find new and exciting ways to wear them. Mix different pieces, patterns and colors together. Just take some time out to play around with the clothes you already have. Put things together you may not have thought of before; you might be very surprised how how good certain things look together. You can also buy new (or new to you) clothing pieces like sweaters, jackets, scarves, hats, etc. to jazz up these well-loved ensembles and make them feel fresh and updated.
Host a Clothing Swap
Get some of your favorite girls together and even some of their friends and host a clothing swap. These ladies can bring in things that they are tired of, don’t fit in or wonder “Now why did I buy this? This is so not my color.” Make a fun girl’s night event out of it. If you want to bring along kids clothes to swap to, that can be double the fun. Get creative and enjoy!!!
I hope I have been able to give you some great ideas. Do you have any other tips on how to save money on your clothing budget? I’d love to hear them!
Thanks for Reading and Happy Shopping!!!
Christie
This little dude is what I was hunting for
during my very first Black Friday outing!
I have ventured out on Black Friday a time or two. The first time I ever did this was during the Furby craze! These annoying little robotic toys were all the rage during Christmas season 1998 or 1999. I didn’t have children at the time but one of my BFFs did. These chatty creatures were in such high demand that each customer was only allowed to purchase one at a time — and my friend had two kids. I thought it would be fun adventure to get out there with all the other bargain hunters – plus, I wanted to help my friend. So we met at a department store at 3:30am the day after Thanksgiving.
For those of you who are avid Black Friday shoppers you are probably thinking, “What? 3:30am? You must have been at the back of the line!” The rest of you are probably wondering, “What the heck were you thinking?”
Well, we got our Furbies but it was pretty wild out there. My friend and I made our Black Friday outing an annual tradition for about 4 years. I think the only other super great deal we got was a Barbie Dream House for her daughter, which was normally $100 and I think it was on sale for $40. Even though we were far from the front of the line we got it and it was worth it — her daughter was thrilled on Christmas morning.
But overall is Black Friday really worth the hype?
(Photo via wikipedia.com)
For many people the answer is yes. For me? The answer is yes and no. Sure there are great deals to be had but you have to to get up ridiculously early to even have a chance at some of the hottest items. I’m not saying you won’t save money because you will, as long as the items you go out for are still in stock by the time you get there. Retailers leure you into their stores with promises of crazy low prices on specific items but they usually only have a few of these items in stock. So let’s say that you see a 32″ HD TV advertised for only $99. If you are one of the very first people at the front of the line you have a good chance at getting this item. The bad news is, you may have to skip the pumpkin pie to start standing in line before the sun even sets on your Thanksgiving Day.
Online retailers take notice of Black Friday sales and the folks at Amazon.com are constantly dropping their prices to one up other retailers. So if you don’t want to wait out in the freezing cold or throw elbows with the big boys and girls, you might just want to start shopping early and do some research so you can find the best deals on and offline. Another great thing is that a lot of stores today will price match competetors if you have the ad with you. This can help save you time and money.
Now for the record I’m not saying shopping on Black Friday is a bust. I do like to hit the stores after I have slept off the tryptophan from the day before and had a few cups of coffee. I usually get out around 10-11am. By this time the crazy has settled and there are still a few Early Bird Specials to be had.
If you do want to venture out:
1. Have a plan ~ Look at the ads and decide which stores and what deals you want to take advantage of. Write it down!
2. Got coupons? ~ Bring those too. There are often retail coupons, which you can find online that can be used in addition to sale prices but read the fine print just to be sure.
3. Don’t take it too seriously ~ Have fun! Make a plan to shop till you drop, then meet friends for breakfast or lunch. This can help you de-stress. Plus, it’s fun to compare deals.
What do you think about Black Friday? Are you a die hard shopper or do you stay away from the stores as much as possible on that day?
Thanks for Reading!
Christie
My youngest son is a big Batman fan and where I work, I can get him Batman t-shirts for half off so he has a bunch of them. His older brother, despite all of my attempts, is just not into superheros but he LOVES dinosaurs. He is completely obsessed with everything dinosaur related. Almost every morning, he is disappointed in the clothes I pick out for him because he only has one dinosaur t-shirt. He wears it the day it comes out of the wash and then it’s in his hamper for a week so he is happy with his clothing choice one day a week. Oh the troubles of a 5 year old.
Now that it’s getting hot out I am determined to increase his dinosaur wardrobe. I came across a pretty comprehensive list on another blog of Dinosaur T-Shirts for Kids and Adults. The first one is the one he already owns, Santa brought it for him this past Christmas but that’s it, he doesn’t have any of the others. We don’t have a lot of money as I have highlighted on this blog before and these shirts are more expensive than most of the clothes we buy for the boys (we go to consignment shops and big box stores mostly). However, he was so excited at the thought of getting a few of these that I just can’t deny him. We are going to get him 3. We were going to buy him one a month for the rest of the Summer but it’s cheaper to get all 3 now and save on shipping so that is what we are going to do. Once we get them I will do a review of a few of them.
P.S. – We ordered them today and Harrison has already asked me twice if they are here yet.
Have you been wanting some new decor for your home? Is your candle supply running a little low? Need a new kitchen gadget or recipe ideas? Would you like to update your cosmetics, or get some new clothes? Of course! Who doesn’t — right? Well, if you are low on extra money; I have a great way to make you feel like you splurged, without spending too much.
Most of us have heard of Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Home Interiors, Party Lite, etc. Maybe you have a friend or two that earns extra money, or has built a successful business through one of these direct sales companies. You can support her – and earn yourself some goodies in the process – by hosting a party. There is a direct sales company for just about everything!
Before we begin, I think it’s important for me to mention that I am not affiliated with these companies in any way, other than I have attended and/or had parties for one of their consultants. When I realized that I would be an at-home Mom I tried my hand at a couple direct sales businesses but it just wasn’t my thing.
First of all, I was my own best customer (a very bad thing if you want to make any money at all) and secondly, while I love attending these parties — but I didn’t really want to be the one running the show. I do however, know many people who are in direct sales and are absolutely fabulous at it.
Now, what was I talking about before I got all side tracked? Oh yes of course… FREE STUFF!
As I was saying, many of these companies offer their hostesses fantastic rewards for hosting a party. Sometimes free stuff, discounted items, hostess only specials and more.
So how do you host a direct sales party anyhow?
The first thing you need to do, is to decide which company you want to party with — and there are many to choose from. Next, you will want to find a consultant, if of course you don’t already know one. You can also book your own party during shows that you attend – which helps the host, the consultant and you.
Once you decide what type of party you would like to have – and you have booked a party – you need to start getting the word out to all your friends and family about the event.
Social media is such a wonderful tool for this. You can tweet about it, create an event on facebook to invite some – or all - of your facebook friends, and of course metion it in your status updates. You can also send e-mails to people and of course, there’s always the good old postal service. Remember, the more people you tell about your party, the more successful it will be, and the more free and discounted stuff you will get!
Most companies even have the ability for people to participate in your party online and don’t forget about the catalogs! Carry around current catalogs and order forms wherever you go. You might get a few orders this way as well. Make sure you are aware of any specials for the month, so you can pass this information on. Don’t forget to send out reminders a day or two before the party!
The day of event make some treats for your guests. You don’t have to spend a lot, to let people know you appreciate their participation. Most consultants will also have drawings and giveaways for your guests as well.
I actually just had a party on Saturday for one of my friends who just became a Thirty-One consultant. She gave me a fabulous lunch tote (pictured above), just for hosting. Plus, I was able to order two items that I really wanted – for half the retail price. I also had a lot of fun, with some of my favorite ladies!
Have you hosted a successful direct sales event? What did you do to get the word out? What is you all time favorite direct sales company and what is your favorite item?
Thanks for Reading!
~Christie
With a title like that, I would be remiss to mention that I love the features on KidsAintCheap and use both the family coupon directory and parents shopping directory regularly but this article is not about my own site. This article is about other sites that I use. It’s about the Best Deal Sites that I know of.
Groupon.com
Groupon.com – It’s tough to have not heard of one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. While much of the rest of corporate America is standing still, this company is growing at an unbelievable rate and it’s not hard to see why. Groupon specializes in local deals. You sign up and every day Groupon delivers a new deal directly to you for your local area. Most of the deals end up being 40% – 60% off.
The service is addictive and the savings can be HUGE. Ever since I missed out on a huge savings on movie tickets at my local theater(the deal had sold out) I have become obsessed with checking to see what my local daily deal is first thing in the morning on my iphone. The trick is to not jump on something just because it’s exciting, the trick is to jump on something you would have spent money on even if you didn’t have the coupon. Of all of the new sites that have cropped up, this is most certainly one of the best daily deal sites.
You can check them out at Groupon.com
Living Social
LivingSocial.com – Living Social is similar to Groupon. It’s not as big so it isn’t as available in as many areas but they are still a major player and as such have some great local bargains. I make it a habit to check Groupon and Living Social every morning. I must admit, I have purchased more from Groupon than I have from Living Social but it’s still a great site to get a good deal. The key, as with all of these places, is to not buy something you don’t need or can’t use. While not as big as Groupon, it is still impressive and deserves to be on the best deal sites list.
You can check them out at LivingSocial.com
Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com – We don’t go out to eat very often, it’s one of the things we eliminated as we work todays becoming debt free. When we do splurge and go out to someplace night, we almost always refer to Restaurant.com first. The savings are amazing and there are a lot of participating restaurants. The way it works is you find the restaurant you want to eat at and you purchase a gift certificate to that restaurant at a significant discount. Most of the discounts I have come across are 50% – 60%. The thing to be careful about is the fine print. There are almost always stipulations, the most common being a minimum amount that must be spent at the restaurant in order to use the coupon. Choose your deal carefully. As long as you pay attention to the conditions, it is one of the best deal sites online. I have had some really great meals, really cheaply.
You can check them out at Restaurant.com
Woot!
Kids.Woot.com – Woot has several different sites but the one I check regularly is their kids web site. It’s an Ecommerce site but it’s unique in that they only sell one item per day. Each day they post an item at a set price and you have the opportunity to buy it until they run out. I have only ever jumped on a deal from Woot once so I can’t say I have a lot of experience with them but the experience I had was good. They were selling something I had already planned on buying for a gift but I got it cheaper than I would have been able to get elsewhere.
You can check them out at Kids.Woot.com
Craigs List
Craigs List – Okay, so this one is a no-brainer. I have had mixed results with Craigs List but for the most part, my experience has been positive with both buying and selling. Whenever I am looking for a larger item I look to Craigs List first. It’s the monster of all classifieds site and you can get a great deal if you are smart.
You can check it out at Craigs List
ebay
ebay.com – This one is another no-brainer. You would have to be living in a very remote corner of the world to not know about ebay. It’s the biggest and best auction web site online and there is a massive amount of product being sold on ebay every day. You can find some great deals as long as you don’t get carried away with the bidding. The key is to not bid until you have a concrete number you aren’t willing to go over. ebay works so well because it works people up into bidding frenzy and inevitably some people will spend more than an item is worth because of it.
You can check it out at ebay.com
Other Coupon Sites
If the KidsAintCheap family coupons directory doesn’t have a coupon for a site that I want to buy something at, I do a search to see if one of the other coupons sites does. It’s fairly easy and a good percentage of the time I find a coupon I can use. I simply search for SITE NAME coupon in google to see what comes up. Obviously, I replace SITE NAME with the actual web site name so if I am looking for a coupon to use on Amazon I search for Amazon coupon or Amazon coupon code. Try it out before you hit the check out button next time you buy something online.
What did I miss?
Okay, those are the best deal sites that I check and use on a regular basis. What did I miss? What is your favorite?
On February 1, 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with Summer Infant Inc, Woonsocket, R.I., issued a warning about a strangulation hazard. Young babies and children are getting tangled in the cords of video baby monitors and two children have died.
There has also been a report made of a child becoming tangled in the cords but had been freed safely.
What the CPSC is advising that no cords be within three feet of the crib. If a baby or child can reach the cord it is too close. The report also states that the monitors had been placed on the rail, on the wall and on a dressing table attached to the crib.
Summer Infant Inc, has also started a campaign where the company is now putting labels on all of their video monitors. There has been over 1.7 of these types of monitors sold.
We as parents always want to do the best for our children and of course we want to keep an eye on them when they are sleeping. Having a camera in the room is a great way to keep an eye on what is going on. But, on the other hand we do not want to risk having something terrible happen either. By using due diligence with anything that is placed near a baby crib risks will be lowered.
Best rule is to never put anything near a baby crib where the child can become entangled. Although there is only one company named in this report there are other brands of baby video monitors on the market. Anything with a cord should never be put near the crib.
